dual citizenship

[tood ling]

hello, my son has dual citizenship thai/us. does he have to declare one or the other at 18

[kalbow]

Hi tood ling

Not sure how it works in Thailand but it may be that if your son declares Thai citizenship he may need to do National Service - I'm not sure of it exists but maybe someone else can advise?

Kalbow

[hhfarang]

As I understand it (and I have two family members with the same two passports) neither country approves of it but they both accept it and look the other way and therefore it is not currently a problem. When traveling to the U.S. (or most other countries except Cuba, Iran, and North Korea) use the U.S. passport, but when coming into Thailand use the Thai one to avoid having to get an extended visa.

[migrant]

As I understand it (and I have two family members with the same two passports) neither country approves of it but they both accept it and look the other way and therefore it is not currently a problem. When traveling to the U.S. (or most other countries except Cuba, Iran, and North Korea) use the U.S. passport, but when coming into Thailand use the Thai one to avoid having to get an extended visa.

I agree!

My wife (Thai) has US citizen. On our last trip she really was scared to do it the way HHF suggested but even a couple people at immigration suggested it.

She was worried that in returning to the US there would be no stamp, but no problem

[tood ling]

thanks all
as kalbow suggests he may have to do some national service if thai. my wife (thai) says he has to get id card at 15. is there other ways to fill this commitment besides the military?

[Dr Mike]

My children have 3 citizenships and passports--UK, US and Canada
They tell the British they are British
The americans that they are American
The Canadians that they are Canadian.

[PeteC]

thanks all
as kalbow suggests he may have to do some national service if Thai. my wife (Thai) says he has to get id card at 15. is there other ways to fill this commitment besides the military?

Unfortunately I can't give you exact details as it was based upon a conversation. I understand though that some secondary schools here (high schools) have cadet programs and if the boy goes through that for x years, he is exempt from the draft. Your wife should perhaps call around to some of the better schools and question them on this.

I know of no other avenue for "National Service" here except the military. Pete

EDIT: In addition, the draft is accomplished by candidates pulling a ball from a sack. I believe a black ball and you're free, a red ball and you're in for 2 years. It's done by district within each province on published dates. If a no show, they'll hunt you down. There is also the tea money option which is widely used by parents who can afford it.

[Onlychaam]

Unfortunately I can't give you exact details as it was based upon a conversation. I understand though that some secondary schools here (high schools) have cadet programs and if the boy goes through that for x years, he is exempt from the draft.

I was told it's called "roh-doh" (ร.ด.) and it takes one day per week during two years, from Mo 4 to Mo 6.

ร.ด. means รักษาดินแดน (raksa din-den, something like protection of territory).

I will definitely look into it when my son reaches the age.

[PeteC]

That almost sounds like the Reserves or National Guard in USA lingo. Trained and ready (+ -) but not activated unless in time of crisis. I recall there was academic testing involved to get in but not sure how competitive. I see the Thai guy I talked to about it as he lives near me. If I can, I'll try to get more details. Pete

[ste860]

my wife's son who 16 years old has just started this training at school,as mentioned above its for 2 years and every week he does some training,he had to pass a exam and do physical tests of stregnth and stamina to allow him to miss the lottery with the balls

[tood ling]

what if there going to college are they exempt from service

[ste860]

i believe if they are studying at university ,then they would not be eligible for national service

[Pleng]

I'm sure they'd be eligible... just wouldn't be obligatory :p

[STEVE G]

This article outlines the requirements for military service with a bit too much detail:

...recruits must be physically fit, at least 1.60 meters tall and with a chest size of 76 centimetres or more.

“I do a rough check on their limbs to see if they’re bent or crooked, if they stand up straight or not, if they’re disabled or got anything missing or anything too short or too long,” said army officer Thongkham Maleesi. Also spared from serving their country are transgender ‘katoeys’, or ladyboys, such as Kridsada Kumsombat. “There are so many people and most of them are men. I’m afraid they might make fun of me,” Kridsada said.

Previously transsexuals were exempted on the grounds of a “psychological abnormality”, but that has now been replaced by a “misshapen chest”.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/16/thai-mil ... -lose.html

[PeteC]

That link is not working for me Steve. When/if it comes back up maybe a good idea to start a new thread about Thai military service...requirements....qualifications etc. I think it's info a lot of foreigners with Thai sons would find valuable. Pete