SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW: SOUTHEAST ASIA SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW: SOUTHEAST ASIA Sub-Regional Overview: Southeast Asia Countries Covered: Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam Laws Citizenship Law Jus sanguinis and/or jus soli provisions The citizenship laws of most States in Southeast Asia operate through a solely jus sanguinis structure, with Viet Nam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia’s legislation operating through a combined jus sanguinis and jus soli structure.2411 While operating through a jus sanguinis structure, jus soli factors also come into play in Brunei due to the distinction between children born inside or outside of the country.2412 In Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, children born to a citizen parent will gain citizenship regardless of birthplace.2413 Laos and Singapore have jus sanguinis structures that differentiate between persons born within or outside of the country.2414 Cambodia’s jus soli provision provides that children born in the country to parents who are both foreigners and were both born and living legally in Cambodia gain Khmer citizenship by birth.2415 Further, children born in Thailand automatically acquire Thai citizenship under jus soli provisions unless they are born to alien parents, one of whom is a temporary resident, residing in Thailand illegally, or a diplomat.2416 In Malaysia, abandoned children and foundlings will gain citizenship by “operation of the law”, meaning that the citizenship acquisition is automatic.2417 Viet Nam’s jus soli provisions provide citizenship by birth to children born to one citizen parent and one foreigner where the two parents cannot reach an agreement on the citizenship for the child upon birth registration,2418 children born to two stateless parents with permanent residence,2419 children born to a stateless mother with permanent residence where the father is unknown,2420 and foundling children.2421 216 STATELESSNESS ENCYCLOPEDIA ASIA PACIFIC (DETAILED VERSION) REPORT 2024 217