Loss of Thai Citizenship
Renunciation
Section 13 of the Nationality Act B.E. 2508 (1965) allows a Thai national to renounce their citizenship and acquire the nationality of their spouse if the individual meets all of the following conditions:
- Is a Thai citizen.
- Is married to a foreigner and acquires the nationality of the spouse.
As such, a Thai citizen can declare their intention to renounce their Thai citizenship by submitting a form to the competent official at a relevant government agency.
Section 14 of the Act allows a Thai citizen to renounce their citizenship and acquire the nationality of foreign parents by meeting the following conditions:
- Be a Thai citizen.
- Is born to a foreign parent.
- Acquire the nationality of the parent.
- Reaches the age 20.
Therefore, the person has 1 year to declare renunciation of their Thai nationality with the competent official upon reaching the age of 20. The Minister has the right to suspend the request if Thailand is at war or engaging in an armed conflict.
Section 15 of the Act permits a person intending to renounce Thai citizenship, if the person has met one of the following reasons:
- Holds a Thai nationality or any other nationality.
- Acquires Thai nationality by naturalization.
Following this information, the person can renounce their Thai citizenship with the competent official, and the Minister may grant or refuse the request upon their discretion.
Revocation
Section 19 of the Act permits the Minister to revoke a person’s Thai citizenship (both for adults and minors) if the individual violates 1 of the following conditions:
- Conceals or falsifies essential facts during naturalization.
- Still retains their former nationality.
- Damages national security.
- Resides abroad without a domicile in Thailand for over 5 years.
- Engages in an act contrary to good morals and disrupting public order.
- Holds the nationality of a belligerent nation at war with Thailand.
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Category: Civil and Commercial Law
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