Thai children under 18 need birth certificates to leave
Thailand's Immigration Bureau now requires Thai children under 18 to show a birth certificate and, in most cases, a consent letter when leaving the country. The measure aims to prevent human trafficking and unlawful child removal, with strict checks on adults' relationships to the child.
What this means for you
- Foreign parents, divorced parents, and legal guardians traveling alone with a Thai child under 18 must now present a birth certificate and, when required, a consent letter from the other parent or guardian.
- Consent letters must be made at a district office or embassy and are valid for up to 60 days.
- For school trips, a school letter may replace the consent letter if the school follows Education Ministry rules.
Sources
2 reports