Thailand Law Online
Thai law by real lawyers with real experience
A clear, step-by-step guide for foreigners divorcing a Thai spouse by mutual consent at the district office (amphur/amphoe, or khet in Bangkok). Learn what Form B, Kor Ror 6 (คร.6), and Kor Ror 7 (คร.7) are, what to bring, how to file at one office or two different offices, and how to make your Thai–English Divorce Agreement “amphur-ready.”
Thailand splits the marital estate (สินสมรส, Sin Somros) equally when a court decides a divorce. Personal property (สินส่วนตัว, Sin Suan Tua) stays with its owner if proven. Prenups can change management and help with classification, but they cannot override the Civil and Commercial Code’s division rules or waive spousal maintenance (alimony).
Alimony in Thailand refers to financial support that one spouse may be ordered to pay the other after divorce. Thai law calls this spousal maintenance and allows the court to grant it if the receiving spouse lacks adequate means of self-support. The court decides based on income, lifestyle, and the circumstances of the marriage and separation.
Child support in Thailand is a legal obligation that applies to both Thai and foreign parents. Whether you are divorcing, separated, or were never married, Thai law requires both parents to contribute financially to the child’s upbringing. This guide explains the rules, how the courts calculate payments, and what you can do if support isn’t being paid.
When someone dies in Thailand without a valid will, their estate is distributed to their statutory heirs according to Section 1629 of the Civil and Commercial Code. These heirs are ranked by law and may include a spouse, children, parents, and siblings. But what if you wish to exclude someone from inheriting?
If you're an expat living in Thailand or holding assets here, it's important to know the legal requirements for witnesses and executors when preparing your Thai last will and testament. This article outlines who can legally witness or execute a will under Thai law, and what to consider when signing abroad.
Foreigners are often told they must draft a Thai will if they own property or assets in Thailand. While it’s a widely repeated suggestion, especially by law firms or developers, it’s not always necessary, and in some cases, it can even complicate your estate planning.
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.
Many foreigners who reside in Thailand, often with Thai spouses, family ties, or property, assume that a single will is enough to cover all their assets. But if you have property both in Thailand and abroad, relying on just one will, especially one made in your home country, can lead to legal complications. This guide explains how inheritance law works in Thailand, why a separate Thai will is often recommended, and how using dual wills (one for Thailand, one for abroad) can provide clarity and better protection for your estate and your loved ones.
Sample Clause:
Sample Clause in a Thai Prenuptial Agreement:
This Agreement is made in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand and shall be governed and interpreted exclusively in accordance with Thai law.
The parties agree that any dispute arising in relation to this Agreement shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Thailand.
Many foreigners marry in Thailand and sign a prenuptial agreement under Thai law, thinking the matter is settled. But what happens if you later move abroad and divorce occurs in your home country? Will that Thai prenup still protect your assets?
The short answer: It depends on where you live, and how your prenuptial agreement was drafted.
A properly registered prenuptial agreement under Thai law is enforceable in Thailand. However, foreign courts are not automatically bound to recognize it, especially in countries with different legal systems.
Understanding Legal Advice Requirements Under Thai and Foreign Law
Many foreign nationals marrying in Thailand are unsure whether their Thai fiancée needs independent legal advice before signing a prenuptial agreement. The short answer: under Thai law, she does not. But if you intend to use the agreement abroad or have assets in multiple jurisdictions, the answer becomes more nuanced. This guide explains when legal advice is required, why it matters, and how to protect your agreement under both Thai and foreign legal systems.
Example clause from a prenuptial agreement:
"The spouses agree that there shall be no community of property between them, except for a limited community of household effects. All other forms of matrimonial property regimes are expressly excluded."
"คู่สมรสตกลงกันว่าจะไม่มีทรัพย์สินส่วนรวมระหว่างกัน ยกเว้นเพียงทรัพย์สินที่ใช้ร่วมกันในครัวเรือนเท่านั้น ระบอบทรัพย์สินสมรสในรูปแบบอื่น ๆ ทั้งหมดให้ถือว่าไม่อยู่ภายใต้ข้อตกลงนี้โดยชัดแจ้ง"
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.
A legally registered marriage in Thailand creates important rights and obligations for both spouses. These include mutual support, marital property, parent-child relationships, inheritance and the legal consequences of divorce. The principal rules are contained in Book V of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code (ประมวลกฎหมายแพ่งและพาณิชย์).
This guided questionnaire helps you organise the information needed to prepare a Thailand-specific Last Will and Testament covering assets situated in Thailand.
It is primarily intended for foreign nationals who own assets in Thailand and want to identify their beneficiaries, appoint an executor, make specific gifts and determine how the remainder of their Thailand estate should be distributed.
This questionnaire is designed around the ordinary written form of Will under section 1656 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code.
A Will in this form must be made in writing and dated. The testator must sign the Will in the presence of at least two witnesses who are present at the same time, and the witnesses must sign to attest the testator's signature.
An ordinary written Will under section 1656 does not have to be made or registered at the Amphur. Thai law provides separate formalities for other forms of Will, including a public-document Will and a secret-document Will.
For further legal information see Last Will and Testament in Thailand.
Official source: Department of Provincial Administration (กรมการปกครอง), official guidance on forms of wills and the ordinary written Will under section 1656 of the Civil and Commercial Code.
A living will in Thailand is a legally recognized form of advance health care directive, created by someone who is still mentally and legally competent. It allows individuals to document their wishes regarding medical treatment should they become unable to communicate or make decisions due to serious illness or incapacity.
The Thai Civil and Commercial Code (Sections 1465–1493) provides a detailed legal framework governing property relations between spouses. This guide explains how prenuptial agreements, personal assets, and marital property are treated under Thai law.
A power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust, such as a lawyer, family member, or friend, to manage important matters on your behalf. In Thailand, a power of attorney is widely used by both foreigners and Thai nationals to legally delegate authority to another person. The “principal” empowers another individual (the “attorney-in-fact” or agent) to act on their behalf, subject to the scope of authority granted in the power of attorney.
Thailand issues the following types of visas through Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General: Transit Visa, Tourist Visa, Non-Immigrant Visa (e.g. category O, B and OA), Diplomatic Visa, Official Visa, Courtesy Visa. For more Thailand visa information visit the website of the Thai embassy or Thai consulate in the country where you apply for your visa, or the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand - here -, Thai Immigration Bureau - here -, or for more practical visa info visit the Thai Visa forum - here -, information about work permits can also be found - here -.
unofficial translation, law translation for reference purpose
Whereas it is expedient to have a law relating to child adoption
Section 1. This Act shall be called the "Child Adoption Act B.E. 2522 (1979)”.