The court action, if carried out, would be equivalent to recognising Zaw Bi as a Thai citizen.

Zaw Bi's case became well known after he was acquitted in March 2004 of controversial murder charges laid against him in connection with the shooting of a school bus at Ratchaburi two years earlier. Even parents of the victims had said he was innocent of the charges.

Zaw Bi was eligible for Thai citizenship, as he was born on Thai soil to a Thai mother. In August 2004, he had sought to add his name into the household registration of Bang Klob villager Niran Pongthep, with whom he built a home and stayed.

But the Kaeng Krachan district chief issued a letter of refusal in September 2004 on the grounds that Zaw Bi's case did not fall within his jurisdiction and that it would be a challenge to authorities in Ratchaburi, a neighbouring province where officials claimed Zaw Bi lived. This prompted him to file a lawsuit against the district office and its chief.

The Administrative Court, after hearing witnesses and examining documents, ruled that Zaw Bi was a native of tambon Huai Mae Prieng in Kaeng Krachan district. It said Zaw Bi was qualified - under article 97 of the Household Registration Regulations of 1992 - to apply for his name to be added to a home registered in that district.

The court revoked the district chief's order and instructed him to accept Zaw Bi's application for processing.

After the verdict was read, the 39-year-old Zaw Bi, with his wife and four kids, told reporters he was very happy with the ruling because his life would be easier with certificates to back his Thai nationality when going to hospital or to work.