My Aussie friend passed in December. Yes, after securing the Police Report and a death Certificate, as the named Executor in the Will, I needed to contact the Australian Embassy which in turn contacted the next of kin in Australia. Next of kin confirmed that I was to be Executor. Statement issued by the Embassy allowed me to proceed with the release of remains and carrying out cremation. Working with the Attorney who drew up the Will (in Thai and English), a Provincial Court date was requested. That took place the beginning of March (do keep in mind the Christmas and New Year holidays). The Attorney was also a notary so all documents were prepared and stamped. Testimony was given along with the documents and I was approved that day. However, it will take an additional month or two to receive the Court Document which is required by the bank for the release of funds(understandable as protecting the bank from being defrauded). Upon death, I had previously gone to the bank and informed them of the death so accounts were frozen. Today marked the 100 Day Mourning Period. Next to wait for the document so I can proceed to authorize sale of the Condo and remit residue of funds to kin, named in the Will (in Australia). I only recommend acting as Executor for a friend here if one has full knowledge of what to expect and … the ability/willingness to forward spending your own funds to pay necessary bills until the deceased person's funds can be accessed. Being who I am, having lived here 14 years, I agreed to do this for an aged friend. In the future? Not without some change in the way financial preparation should be arranged. There is a bit of time and effort involved … oh, I am in Chiang Mai.