Civil law administration of an estate execution of wills

Inheritance law
administration and distribution of an estate

To carry out the terms of a will a person or institution must be appointed by the court. An 'administrator' or executor of a will is responsible for the payment of any debts and to distribute the remaining assets according to the testators wishes when a valid last will and testament has been made, or according to inheritance and succession laws when there is no last will or testament.

TITLE IV

CHAPTER I

ADMINISTRATOR OF AN ESTATE

table of contents

Section 1711. The administrators of an estate shall included the persons appointed by will (last will or testament)  by order of the Court.

Civil law on succession inheritance heirs and wills

Thai civil law on succession
inheritance, heirs and wills in Thailand

BOOK V

SUCCESSION

TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

CHAPTER I

DEVOLUTION OF AN ESTATE

table of contents

Section 1599. When a person dies, his estate devolves on the heirs.

Drafting a Will in Thailand for Expats

Drafting a Will in Thailand:
Legal Options and Practical Steps for Expats

Planning your estate is one of the most responsible steps you can take, especially if you live in Thailand or own property here. Many expats are unaware that under Thai law, there are several ways to legally make a will. This article outlines those options, explains what documents you need, and offers practical advice for choosing the format that works best for your situation.

Executor

Executor (ผู้จัดการมรดก), in relation to inheritance and wills, means the person or institution appointed to carry out the terms of a will. The executor (or estate administrator) is responsible for paying any debts and distributing the remaining assets in accordance with the testator’s wishes or, where no will exists, under Thailand’s inheritance and succession laws.

Inheritance Laws and Wills in Thailand

Inheritance Law
Last Will and Testament in Thailand

Updated on 21 October 2025

The Thai legal system of succession and inheritance is codified and can be found in the civil and commercial 'Book V Succession'. It among others governs the distribution and administration of the estate of a person after his death, how to make a valid will in Thailand (Title III 'Wills'), and determines what happens to a person's assets after death when there is no last will or testament made.

Last Will

A last will and testament is a legal document that sets out how a person’s property and assets will be distributed after their death. It may also name an executor to carry out these wishes. In Thailand, wills are governed by the Civil and Commercial Code, under the laws relating to succession.