PM revokes Thai citizenship of Israeli businessman - Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks to reporters during a post-Cabinet briefing. (Bangkok Post File Photo) Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed an order revoking the Thai citizenship of an Israeli-born man for failing to disclose and renounce other nationalities upon naturalisation.

The action was taken against Ariel Blustein, a Bangkok-based gem and jewellery entrepreneur, after evidence revealed that he continued to hold and use his original Israeli passport after acquiring Thai nationality in 2019.

Mr Anutin signed the revocation order on Oct 1 in his capacity as interior minister.

According to officials, Mr Blustein used his Israeli passport to travel to and from Hong Kong on the same day his Thai national identification card was issued — an act constituting the continued exercise of his original citizenship, which violates Thai naturalisation conditions.

An expat who secures Thai citizenship can continue to hold another passport, provided their original home country also permits dual citizenship. However, they must use their Thai passport to enter and exit Thailand.

In addition, Mr Blustein failed to disclose his Uruguayan citizenship to immigration authorities during his naturalisation application, nor was it renounced. He subsequently used his Uruguayan passport to travel abroad on multiple occasions.

Mr Blustein had originally obtained Thai citizenship through naturalisation after notice was published in the Royal Gazette on April 3, 2019. His first Thai national identification card was issued on June 14 that same year.

For expatriates and foreign nationals seeking Thai citizenship through permanent residency, acceptance numbers are very low and strictly capped.

Permanent residency applications, a prerequisite for standard naturalisation, are capped at 100 approvals per nationality each year. In reality, the total number of applications granted for all nationalities is around 200 to 300 people annually.

Once an expat secures permanent residency, they must hold that status for at least five consecutive years before they can apply for naturalisation. Final approval of citizenship from the Minister of Interior can take another three to five years.