According to 8 June 2004 correspondence received from the First Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa, "a person born in Thailand to Chinese (or foreign) parents becomes Thai by birth if the parents [have] permanent resident status under Immigration Law." Further, the First Secretary stated that all Thais are entitled to obtain a Thai passport (Royal Thai Embassy 8 June 2004).

In correspondence received on 13 July 2004, the First Secretary clarified that a passport is only a travel document and if a Thai's passport is revoked, he or she does not lose his or her Thai citizenship, only his or her right to travel (ibid. 13 July 2004). Further, "Thai citizenship is obtained by law and [is] only revoked when declared by the Royal Gazette" (ibid.). The First Secretary stated that the Embassy would not, in practise, take back a Thai passport that had been revoked (ibid.). Instead, the individual would be on "Immigration's black list" so the individual would not be able to travel (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Royal Thai Embassy, Ottawa. 13 July 2004. Correspondence from First Secretary.

_____. 8 June 2004. Correspondence from First Secretary.