Thailand Thread

[*Robert* 2]

I have a question. I have a friend who is bringing his fiancee here on a K-1 visa. Once they are married, he wants to change her last name to his here in the US, but not change her name in Thailand so it's easier for her to still buy land there etc. Is this possible? Has anyone done it this way?

Not sure if this is much help, but it seems like as long as she doesn't change her Thai passport, IDs, and house registration she will be ok. I'm not positive about this though, but I don't see how this will cause a problem. She needs a Thai passport to get into Thailand, and a U.S. one (or GC) to get back to the U.S. so it seems like she could have her maiden name on her Thai passport and her married on the GC or U.S. passport. I'm guessing immigration at BKK will never need to see her GC or U.S. passport and U.S. immigration will never need to see her GC or Thai passport.

Since this is a matter of immigration, and the USCIS is very interested in determining it is a bona fide marriage, then changing her last name to his is the only smart thing to do. It wouldn't look good if she came here to marry a USC and didn't want to change her name to his.

As for her last name in Thailand, unless they go to a Thai consulate here in the US and register their marriage, or go back to Thailand and register their marriage at the Amphur's office, the Thai government will never know that she is married, and will not face any of the issues concerning buying land, which can be of concern, as the laws seem to keep changing. As I told you on the phone, one Townhouse in Chiang Mai is under her maiden name, the second Townhouse is with my last name, as it just became possible to buy land with an other-than-Thai family name.

Even if she becomes a USC with a US passport, she would enter Thailand on her Thai passport, and enter the US on her US passport. Though the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship, it doesn't try to prevent it either.

As for someone still using a GC, then John is correct that she would need to show her GC at the airline check-in in BKK, and she would most certainly have to show her Thai passport and GC upon entry to any US POE.

[rsn 135]

I have a question. I have a friend who is bringing his fiancee here on a K-1 visa. Once they are married, he wants to change her last name to his here in the US, but not change her name in Thailand so it's easier for her to still buy land there etc. Is this possible? Has anyone done it this way?

Not sure if this is much help, but it seems like as long as she doesn't change her Thai passport, IDs, and house registration she will be ok. I'm not positive about this though, but I don't see how this will cause a problem. She needs a Thai passport to get into Thailand, and a U.S. one (or GC) to get back to the U.S. so it seems like she could have her maiden name on her Thai passport and her married on the GC or U.S. passport. I'm guessing immigration at BKK will never need to see her GC or U.S. passport and U.S. immigration will never need to see her GC or Thai passport.

Since this is a matter of immigration, and the USCIS is very interested in determining it is a bona fide marriage, then changing her last name to his is the only smart thing to do. It wouldn't look good if she came here to marry a USC and didn't want to change her name to his.

As for her last name in Thailand, unless they go to a Thai consulate here in the US and register their marriage, or go back to Thailand and register their marriage at the Amphur's office, the Thai government will never know that she is married, and will not face any of the issues concerning buying land, which can be of concern, as the laws seem to keep changing. As I told you on the phone, one Townhouse in Chiang Mai is under her maiden name, the second Townhouse is with my last name, as it just became possible to buy land with an other-than-Thai family name.

Even if she becomes a USC with a US passport, she would enter Thailand on her Thai passport, and enter the US on her US passport. Though the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship, it doesn't try to prevent it either.

As for someone still using a GC, then John is correct that she would need to show her GC at the airline check-in in BKK, and she would most certainly have to show her Thai passport and GC upon entry to any US POE.

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

[daboyz 36]

I have a question. I have a friend who is bringing his fiancee here on a K-1 visa. Once they are married, he wants to change her last name to his here in the US, but not change her name in Thailand so it's easier for her to still buy land there etc. Is this possible? Has anyone done it this way?

Not sure if this is much help, but it seems like as long as she doesn't change her Thai passport, IDs, and house registration she will be ok. I'm not positive about this though, but I don't see how this will cause a problem. She needs a Thai passport to get into Thailand, and a U.S. one (or GC) to get back to the U.S. so it seems like she could have her maiden name on her Thai passport and her married on the GC or U.S. passport. I'm guessing immigration at BKK will never need to see her GC or U.S. passport and U.S. immigration will never need to see her GC or Thai passport.

Since this is a matter of immigration, and the USCIS is very interested in determining it is a bona fide marriage, then changing her last name to his is the only smart thing to do. It wouldn't look good if she came here to marry a USC and didn't want to change her name to his.

As for her last name in Thailand, unless they go to a Thai consulate here in the US and register their marriage, or go back to Thailand and register their marriage at the Amphur's office, the Thai government will never know that she is married, and will not face any of the issues concerning buying land, which can be of concern, as the laws seem to keep changing. As I told you on the phone, one Townhouse in Chiang Mai is under her maiden name, the second Townhouse is with my last name, as it just became possible to buy land with an other-than-Thai family name.

Even if she becomes a USC with a US passport, she would enter Thailand on her Thai passport, and enter the US on her US passport. Though the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship, it doesn't try to prevent it either.

As for someone still using a GC, then John is correct that she would need to show her GC at the airline check-in in BKK, and she would most certainly have to show her Thai passport and GC upon entry to any US POE.

Thanks Robert!

[*Robert* 2]

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

If she wants to get a new Thai passport with her married name, she will need to send in her passport and renewal form, along with the proper documentation to a Thai consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-change-name-eng.htm

[rsn 135]

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

If she wants to get a new Thai passport with her married name, she will need to send in her passport and renewal form, along with the proper documentation to a Thai consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-change-name-eng.htm

So this can all be done in the U.S.? Nice. Thanks!

[AaronLV 12]

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

If she wants to get a new Thai passport with her married name, she will need to send in her passport and renewal form, along with the proper documentation to a Thai consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-change-name-eng.htm

So this can all be done in the U.S.? Nice. Thanks!

It can be done via except if she has an e-passport, she has to go in person. If she has gotten a new passport in the past few years it is most likely the new e-passport.

[rsn 135]

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

If she wants to get a new Thai passport with her married name, she will need to send in her passport and renewal form, along with the proper documentation to a Thai consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-change-name-eng.htm

So this can all be done in the U.S.? Nice. Thanks!

It can be done via except if she has an e-passport, she has to go in person. If she has gotten a new passport in the past few years it is most likely the new e-passport.

She does have an e-passport. In person at the nearest Thai embassy, or in-person at some office in Thailand? Why must she do this in-person w/ an e-passport, just out of curiosity?

[AaronLV 12]

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

If she wants to get a new Thai passport with her married name, she will need to send in her passport and renewal form, along with the proper documentation to a Thai consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-change-name-eng.htm

So this can all be done in the U.S.? Nice. Thanks!

It can be done via except if she has an e-passport, she has to go in person. If she has gotten a new passport in the past few years it is most likely the new e-passport.

She does have an e-passport. In person at the nearest Thai embassy, or in-person at some office in Thailand? Why must she do this in-person w/ an e-passport, just out of curiosity?

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-e-passport-eng.htm

Because of the biometrics information that needs to be included with the passport.

[rsn 135]

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

If she wants to get a new Thai passport with her married name, she will need to send in her passport and renewal form, along with the proper documentation to a Thai consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-change-name-eng.htm

So this can all be done in the U.S.? Nice. Thanks!

It can be done via except if she has an e-passport, she has to go in person. If she has gotten a new passport in the past few years it is most likely the new e-passport.

She does have an e-passport. In person at the nearest Thai embassy, or in-person at some office in Thailand? Why must she do this in-person w/ an e-passport, just out of curiosity?

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-e-passport-eng.htm

Because of the biometrics information that needs to be included with the passport.

It also looks like she needs to send her ID card. Will they give her a new one of those too? Does she have to provide the original? The LA office is not really convenient for us, so hopefully the Chicago office has the same policy.

[daboyz 36]

Out of general curiousity, how do you know if it's an E-passport?

[AaronLV 12]

Out of general curiousity, how do you know if it's an E-passport?

It has a little chip imprinted on the cover.

[rsn 135]

Out of general curiousity, how do you know if it's an E-passport?

Looks like there is a "biometrics icon" on the bottom of the front.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand_passport

[daboyz 36]

Out of general curiousity, how do you know if it's an E-passport?

Looks like there is a "biometrics icon" on the bottom of the front.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand_passport

Cool. Her's has the thing at the bottom.

[rin and john 71]

Just out of curiosity, if one wants to get a new Thai passport w/ new married last name, what specific steps must be followed? I've read about this in a few different places and have seen conflicting accounts. Some make it sound easy, others not so easy. I'm sure some of you one here have been through this already.

If she wants to get a new Thai passport with her married name, she will need to send in her passport and renewal form, along with the proper documentation to a Thai consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-change-name-eng.htm

So this can all be done in the U.S.? Nice. Thanks!

It can be done via except if she has an e-passport, she has to go in person. If she has gotten a new passport in the past few years it is most likely the new e-passport.

She does have an e-passport. In person at the nearest Thai embassy, or in-person at some office in Thailand? Why must she do this in-person w/ an e-passport, just out of curiosity?

http://www.thai-la.net/passport/pp-e-passport-eng.htm

Because of the biometrics information that needs to be included with the passport.

It also looks like she needs to send her ID card. Will they give her a new one of those too? Does she have to provide the original? The LA office is not really convenient for us, so hopefully the Chicago office has the same policy.

From the Thai Consulate - Chicago:

http://www.thaichicago.net/clate/passport_en.html

Since Rin and I were married in Thailand, she changed her Thai ID and passport before her K-3 interview (thought that would look better at the embassy interview).

Edited August 25, 2009 by rin and john

[HYENA 4]

I need some general opinions; after we marry here, would you suggest she keep her Thai name and Thai single status or change her Thai name and status at the embassy (we're close enough to DC to it all done)?

My concern is that mentioned earlier-the land thing. Now (currently) we're in no financial position to buy anything but if I can swing it till I get more higher education and maybe a lucky business decision or two..

...anyway, the xenophobia is a real concern and the laws they pull out of dark places on a whim concern me. I'm not so sure I'd want to settle or live there when we get old, though....it's an unstable place and likely always will be.

Edited August 25, 2009 by HYENA