For those who are interested, the application process for Thai
Citizenship in my case went as follows:
Late 2003 - Picked up the checklist from the Police Headquarters on
Rama 1 Road
January 2004 - Took all my documents to the Police Department, in what
I thought was a word perfect application. However, since I was
applying in January and this being a new tax year, my tax returns from
the three preceding years were not enough. An oversight on my part, so
waited until I got my most recent tax retirn PNG 91 for 2003
March 2004 - Try again. This time my application was successfully
lodged. Paid the 5,000 Baht fee. Got fingeprinted. Signed my name (in
Thai) on dozens of firms. Took two Thai witnesses and later my wife
plus kids to show that they were real. Took forms issued to me by the
police department to immigration and my disctrict office. Later went
back to pick up the completed forms and take them back to the police
department
April 2004 - Thai language interview at the Police Department
September 2004 - Invited to the Interior Ministry. Showed them my work
permit, passport, alien registration certificate and certificate of
residence. Then, I was shown into a room with around 40 people
watching me. I was given a microphone and asked to sing the Thai
National anthem and Phra Baramee (the one they play in the cinema).
Yes, really. Managed to keep a straight face. Got interviewed in Thai
- basic Q&A about my circumstances. Around the same time, a group of
three officials from the Interrior Ministry visited my house to see if
my domestic circumstances were as described on my application form
Waited
Waited
February 2006 - Got the good news that the then Interior Minister Khun
Kongsak had approved my application
March 2006 - Got a letter to notify me of the above
Waited
(September 2006 - military coup)
Waited
November 2006 - Got the good news that the King had countersigned my
application
December 2006 - One of the most memorable parts: the oath. Just
after the King endorsed my application, I was asked to report to the
police department in business attire, armed with a candle, a lotus
flower and an incense stick. I then had to stand with these in my
hands while clasped in a wai, in front of a Buddhist shrine, repaeting
an oath of allegance to King and country, and promising to be an
upright and law-abiding citizen.
Waited
Waited
April 2007 - Got the good news that the new Interior Minister Khun
Aree had announced in the Interior Ministry notices that a bunch of
applicants including me could now get Thai nationality
May 2007 - Got the paperwork and certificate from the Police HQ to
take to the disctrict office to get my ID card. Now I must return my
work permit, alien residence certificate and certificate of residence
to respective authorities as these are no longer needed. Now I can
apply for a passport
Told that my application was one of the faster ones these days.
Getting Thai Citizenship IS a pain in the arse - but look on the
bright side:
1) Now I can own what I buy, land, house, etc
2) No need for a work permit, and no restricted occupations. I can now
drive a Tuk Tuk for a living if the going gets tough in the IT
industry
3) Now I can get in free to the Grand Palace and pay the Thai rate for
national parks
4) I can own a business
5) I can get a Thai passport and visit countries like Laos and Vietnam
visa free
6) No need for that expensive old yearly Resident Return visa. No
limit to the amount of time that I spend out of Thailand without
losing my residency
7) I can use the Thai passport lane at the airport (shorter queues)
In my case, no need to give up my old nationality
9) I have a new Thai identity, forename and surname. Good for
travelling to places that dislike my country of origin
10) I think that I can even vote, although I am not sure who is worth
voting for
All you need to do is satisfy the following to apply:
http://phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/ ... asp?id=759
Golden rules are:
1) Be patient and never get upset. The people that handle your
application do not make the rules and do not have any power over what
happens in the Interior Ministry
2) Get a coach. Not an expensive lawyer - just make friends with one
of the officials that handles your application
One of the problems,I have had in Thailand is asking a gov't official ''to many questions''!If they don't know the facts they will make them up to save face!
