Anutin signs order to revoke Thai citizenship for Israeli-born man

BANGKOK — 1 October 2026, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed an order revoking the Thai citizenship of Ariel Blustin, formerly an Israeli national, after authorities found that he continued to use his original nationality and concealed another nationality during his naturalisation application.

The Interior Ministry’s announcement said Blustin obtained Thai citizenship through naturalisation under Sections 10 and 11(1) of the Nationality Act BE 2508 (1965). His Thai citizenship was published in the Royal Gazette on 3 April 2019, and he received his first Thai national ID card on 14 June 2019.

However, authorities found that on the same day he obtained the ID card, Blustin travelled to Hong Kong using an Israeli passport. He returned to Thailand on 23 June 2019 using the same passport, which the ministry said constituted continued use of his former nationality in breach of the conditions for Thai naturalisation.

The announcement also said Blustin holds Uruguayan citizenship and had used it to travel abroad several times before applying for Thai citizenship. It said he did not disclose this nationality to officials or show an intention to renounce it.

The ministry said the evidence met grounds for revoking Thai citizenship under the Nationality Act, including continued use of a former nationality and making false statements or concealing material facts during a naturalisation application.

It said concealing his Uruguayan citizenship could cause serious harm to the public and the state if left unaddressed.

Using powers under Section 19 of the Nationality Act, Anutin ordered Blustin’s Thai citizenship revoked, effective from the announcement dated 1 October 2026.