Thai will
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Undaunted
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Re: Thai will
You’ll need a Thai lawyer and depending where you’re located some here can give you recommendations.
"In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king"
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travelerjim1
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Re: Thai will
Suggest you contact this Thai legal firm...
https://www.thailawonline.com/
Thai will 3,900 Thai baht.
https://www.thailawonline.com/
Thai will 3,900 Thai baht.
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Gaybutton
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Re: Thai will
It is possible to make a valid Thai will on your own. Dodger did. But I don't recommend it. In my opinion making a Thai will via a competent Thai law firm is a MUST. A farang death in Thailand is far more complicated than only the will.
I used, and very highly recommend, Thai888 Law. So did Daleinpattaya. https://thai888.com/
The owner is Australian and he has an excellent English speaking Thai staff. They handle everything - from dealing with the police, the embassy, banks, probate, making sure your beneficiary receives the money and anything else as quickly as possible, etc. It will all be explained during your first appointment.
When you first contact them they will Email you a checklist for all the documents and information you will need to bring for your first appointment. They go over everything during your first appointment, making sure you understand the entire process and answering all your questions.
Then, a few days later, the will is ready. They will Email you a copy for your approval.
Now comes your second appointment, when you go to sign the will and have it witnessed. You will get the original and they keep a copy in their office. I keep a copy on my computer and my beneficiary has the original. He knows to contact the law office immediately upon my death - before doing anything else.
I would never do this without a using good Thai law firm. It is too important, in my opinion, to do it any other way and this is no time to be trying to save a few baht.
I used, and very highly recommend, Thai888 Law. So did Daleinpattaya. https://thai888.com/
The owner is Australian and he has an excellent English speaking Thai staff. They handle everything - from dealing with the police, the embassy, banks, probate, making sure your beneficiary receives the money and anything else as quickly as possible, etc. It will all be explained during your first appointment.
When you first contact them they will Email you a checklist for all the documents and information you will need to bring for your first appointment. They go over everything during your first appointment, making sure you understand the entire process and answering all your questions.
Then, a few days later, the will is ready. They will Email you a copy for your approval.
Now comes your second appointment, when you go to sign the will and have it witnessed. You will get the original and they keep a copy in their office. I keep a copy on my computer and my beneficiary has the original. He knows to contact the law office immediately upon my death - before doing anything else.
I would never do this without a using good Thai law firm. It is too important, in my opinion, to do it any other way and this is no time to be trying to save a few baht.
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travelerjim1
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Re: Thai will
I created my own Will, although recommend to others that they have a reputable Thai lawyer do this for them.
A few important points:
1) Be sure to include a statement regarding funeral arrangements in the Will. If you want the executor of your Will to arrange this for you, make sure there's a clear statement to this effect giving him/her the full right to handle any/all funeral arrangements.
Assuming the executor Will be your Thai partner, you will also want to make sure that he or she agrees to this and understands the type of funeral you want, i.e. cremation or burial. In a Thai will, these arrangements are often included in a section outlining the powers and duties of the administrator of the estate (executor), although not mandatory in a legal sense. Rest assured, that if your executor fails to arrange the type of funeral you requested you'll be the last one to know it.
2) Be sure to file a copy of your Will with your local tesaban.
3) Request that your lawyer provide you with both; a Thai version of the Will, and a version in your native language. Note: The Thai version is the only one required by Thai law.
4) Last, but not least, never name a Thai as an executor unless you've been together for a long time (years - not months). If you do, I'd avoid standing too close to balcony railings...
A few important points:
1) Be sure to include a statement regarding funeral arrangements in the Will. If you want the executor of your Will to arrange this for you, make sure there's a clear statement to this effect giving him/her the full right to handle any/all funeral arrangements.
Assuming the executor Will be your Thai partner, you will also want to make sure that he or she agrees to this and understands the type of funeral you want, i.e. cremation or burial. In a Thai will, these arrangements are often included in a section outlining the powers and duties of the administrator of the estate (executor), although not mandatory in a legal sense. Rest assured, that if your executor fails to arrange the type of funeral you requested you'll be the last one to know it.
2) Be sure to file a copy of your Will with your local tesaban.
3) Request that your lawyer provide you with both; a Thai version of the Will, and a version in your native language. Note: The Thai version is the only one required by Thai law.
4) Last, but not least, never name a Thai as an executor unless you've been together for a long time (years - not months). If you do, I'd avoid standing too close to balcony railings...
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2lz2p
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Re: Thai will
I highly recommend them. They have prepared my original for 5k baht (PCEC member price which is now, I believe 6k) and 2 subsequent revisions for 2k each time. The last time, they used their camera to take photos as well as video of my signing the Will in two originals. One they gave to me and the other they keep on file in their office. In my case and as suggested by many others, prepare your Thai will for property in Thailand and have a separate will for property in your home country.travelerjim1 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2026 8:12 am I agree with GB... Thai 888 is a fine Thai law firm. An excellent choice
In my case I already had a will in the USA to cover my property there. If you do have a another will for your country, be sure your Thai will does not include a standard clause that many lawyers will insert it automatically which cancels all other wills.
Kelvin, the Australian managing director, has handled funeral arrangements for some of my Expat friends along with many others. His Thai wife is a lawyer and speaks English well as do her staff. Likewise, his firm has successfully handled their probate through the Thai court system. They also handled the probate for my Thai partner for a fee of 20k and as is normal for probate of uncontested wills, it took 2 months (his will was handwritten and on file with the Banglamung District office).
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Gaybutton
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Re: Thai will
I think it is important to have a Thai will if you are residing in Thailand, even if there are no beneficiaries or relatives at all. That would eliminate most of the complexities of what you want done with your remains and what you want done with any money you do have in Thailand. Also, if you receive money regularly from abroad, such as pensions and Social Security, you would need someone to inform those offices.
Rich LB died 2 years ago. He was doing everything through a Thai owned law firm. He thought he had everything covered so that his boyfriend who had been with him 20 years would quickly and easily get the money Rich designated for him. Wrong! 2 years later his boyfriend has yet to see so much as 1 baht. And Rich had millions. So I hope those needing a Thai will listen to the advice being posted on this topic and use a really good law firm. I would not take chances with a law firm none of us are familiar with.
Rich LB died 2 years ago. He was doing everything through a Thai owned law firm. He thought he had everything covered so that his boyfriend who had been with him 20 years would quickly and easily get the money Rich designated for him. Wrong! 2 years later his boyfriend has yet to see so much as 1 baht. And Rich had millions. So I hope those needing a Thai will listen to the advice being posted on this topic and use a really good law firm. I would not take chances with a law firm none of us are familiar with.
Re: Thai will
It's good to hear others taking this topic seriously.
I'm always a bit taken-back when I hear about a farang passing who neglected doing this.
Even if you're married to a Thai national (as I am) you still need a Will. Just use a reputable lawyer and the rest is easy. It's worth the peace-of-mind.
Now if I could just figure out a way to not worry about dying...555
I'm always a bit taken-back when I hear about a farang passing who neglected doing this.
Even if you're married to a Thai national (as I am) you still need a Will. Just use a reputable lawyer and the rest is easy. It's worth the peace-of-mind.
Now if I could just figure out a way to not worry about dying...555
Re: Thai will
In the UK, a couple of years ago, we dealt with such matters ourselves. We had probate sorted within a few months, whereas some people who made the mistake of appointing solicitors were still waiting for matters to be resolved 2 years later. Sometimes the legal "profession" string it out.
I presume DIY is far more difficult in Thailand, due to the language & likely bureaucracy.
I presume anyone with an interest in such matters is also supposed to read your advice carefully to get the full message.