Old Man River

and who would they give this proof to ? The NCCC? The EC? etc etc?

[/quote

Are you giving up on Democracy in Thailand already? Yes, many that have supposed to act as a check and balance have shirked their responsibilities to the Country in trade for their own political survival, but we shouldn't give up.

I trust that should hard evidence be uncovered, the Democrates would know how to handle it for the good of the Country.

Most senior party members registering fake candidates and tampering with EC database? That's innovation even for Thailand. If the allegation is proved the whole party could be dissolved.

BUT, this is not the first time Democrats couldn't convince courts/judges/panels with their evidence.

I believe police and military will stand by the people this time around. If confrontation between protesters and supporters takes place I doubt the army will crack down on protesters. Dr. T is a pain in the neck for everyone involved. Life would be so much easier if he just stepped down.

I don't understand him at all now. Have you seen this yet?

We will march on Govt House after winning the election: PM

Vows to 'reclaim' compound after winning election, if his opponents don't vacate area

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday he would urge his supporters to accompany him to Government House if his opponents continue their protest outside the compound after the April 2 general election...

"Those people look down on people like you. They think they are smarter than you are. You must think out loud so they can hear that you want Thaksin to be your prime minister," he said....

What is it if not inciting violance?

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/21/nat...al_20003211.php

The PM is using similar rhetoric that Sondhi has been using. I am sure he is getting tired as well. I agree that the police and military will support the people, we just disagree on who the people are. Thaksin held a clear majority after the election last year, and since the TRT are running unopposed, no reason to think that he won't have a clear majority again, albeit to a lesser extent. I think the police and military will support the majority of the people.

Personally, I have friends on both sides. I would love to see a compromise, although I now agree that is highly unlikely. Given the PAD's unwillingness to withdraw, the police will break up the demonstrations, hopefully using water cannons so that nobody gets hurt.

The only way for the Opposition to win this is to find hard proof that the PM still controlled shares in Shin Corp after he said he divested. I would expect Khun Korn is still digging into this, and we will have to see where it leads.

I had a similar question a few months ago. I had hoped someone had a service for this type of thing, but no such luck. In any event, I was advised to get a dog. I have dogs, but hadn't let them into the back where the snakes were. I let them out now and (knock on wood) haven't seen any snakes lately. My neighbor did say one snake went from my yard to her yard, but her dogs killed it. I am not talking about anything viscious. I have a poodle and Golden Retreiver, so far so good, but no promises.

Thaksin would be negotiating from strength, not weakness. He can continue to sit back and wait

Yeah but in reality he has no place to sit, his party has been accused of serious election fraud with witnesses and material evidence coming forward, and 200 candidates are already disqualified, he pins his hopes on elections that everyone else ignores and that won't produce any definite result in foreseebale future, stripped of privilege to chair HM's celebrations. What strength? He's a madman bubbling something to himself. "Without me Thailand will go bankrupt in two months, without me you can't survive, I'm the one who saved all of you... blah blah blah."

Plus, I am not trying to pick on you here, but Thailand has never had a clean election. Do some homework. Talk to some of the people at pollwatch. I realize this doesn't make it right, but it is, unfortunately, the norm.

Rhetoric aside, who do you really think the police and military will support if push comes to shove?

I honestly don't know what are they going to talk about. When commenting on TRT preconditions Chamlong simply said: "We have only one condition - Taksin must resign". Like it or not but any other outcome of the meeting will not solve anything. A week ago I was waiting for the talks, but if Taksin hopes to retain his seat, there's little point.

I understand why he wants to negotiate his exit in private - he wants guarantees to his life and property but I doubt that any of the PAD leaders, and even Democrats, are interested in any backdoor deals. I also doubt they would have enough power to stop people if the cries for Taksin's blood become too loud.

Sorry, but you have this backwards. Thaksin would be negotiating from strength, not weakness. He can continue to sit back and wait and if people get tired and violence occurs, a State of Emergancy would most likely be called. Nobody wants this, hence, the hope that communication lines remain open.

Plus, I agree in that both sides are publicly playing towards their crowds. There has been no improvement in the situation over the past few days. I was in Bangkok in 1992. Things could get worse.

Neither group is giving an inch. Any peaceful means with any chance of breaking this deadlock should be tried. Since public discussions aren't working, they should sit down, close the door and talk. We don't have a whole lot of options here.

ColPyat, I very much agree with you, although the major hurdle to compromise appears to be Sondhi. His fowl language and hand gestures have angered many. This is not the Thai way. He is causing obstacles to compromise. Politics aside, the PM has done a lot of good for the Country. What has Sondhi done?

TRT insisted PAD dissolved their rally if talks went ahead, why?

Both Aphisit and the PAD have said they are willing to hold open talks with Thaksin but he insists any talks must be private.

Why? If the sale of Shin Corps to Temarak was legal with no involvement by the PM who has repeatedly said over the years he has washed his hands of the day to day running of his business to show his compliance with the laws, why does he persist in refusing to discuss the issue in public?

If I was accused of a serious offence such as selling out the country and I was innocent, I would demand an immediate debate\ discussion on TV.

His only defence is to tour the provinces saying the only test of democracy is the number of votes you can win. If he gets over 50% he'll say no one has the right to scrutinise or monitor him for another 4 years, this is Thaksin democracy, a true example of mob rule.

Thank you. Many people miss the point that a lot of the protestors were initially only asking for the check and balance mechanisms to look at the PM's actions. It was the PM who disolved parliment before a second impeachment complaint and who decided that the people's election of a new legislature should trump the check and balance mechanisms that are supposed to ensure elected leaders and representatives follow laws. Bizarre.

ColPyat has hit the nail on the head. The PM wants a private meeting since with people such as Sondhi, who is driven by a personal vendetta, an orderly, civil discussion is not likely and would only exacerbate the situation. The PAD and Opposition do not want a private meeting, as their strength comes from the protesters. We are at a serious crossroad. Nobody wants a repeat of May 1992.

ColPyat, I very much agree with you, although the major hurdle to compromise appears to be Sondhi. His fowl language and hand gestures have angered many. This is not the Thai way. He is causing obstacles to compromise. Politics aside, the PM has done a lot of good for the Country. What has Sondhi done?

I am happy to hear she is OK. Thanks for the info on the Thonglor Pet Hospital.

I think Cookie is probably the average size for a female Golden, but you never know, she still has a lot of growing to do. Mine is now 13 months old, and she just had another growth spurt a few weeks ago (perhaps her last - hopefully). She weighed in at 24 kilos at 7 months, but we knew she was overweight. We regulated her food and after 10 months she was 25 kilos and a lot leaner. I really don't know how much she is now, but she is certainly bigger in size than at 10 months.

I fully understand when you say Cookie is adorable and fun loving. This is my first Golden and if anything ever happened to her, I would get another one regardless of what the wife and maids would say.

Good point.

Yes, documents should be consistent to avoid issues in the future, although the BOT and Land office, as you know, would never communicate with one another. It just would make things easier for the OP, should there be a problem for any reason in the future, to be able to put down in front of the remitting bank documents that agree with each other.

Mobi, many of us have Goldens in Thailand, and I know I am wondering if my Golden started limping, where could I get help? She is fine, but it would be good to know how Cookie is and if it is a hip problem, where did you ultimately find help?

Of course, I hope she is doing fine.

Donx, the TT3 has absolutely nothing to do with foreigners wishing to make investments in Thailand. It is a Bank of Thailand (BOT) form which does nothing more than to document the inflow of FX from abroad. All received FX over a certain amount (I can't remember the threshold) requires the receiving bank to document the incoming foreign exchange with a TT3. This document is ultimately sent to the BOT and becomes a matter of record. If the receiving bank doesn't know the purpose of the remittance, they put in miscellaneous.

While Dragonman is correct as it relates to current laws on remittance, I so no reason why, since a friendly banker has been located, egeefay's wife shouldn't get it amended to reflect its orginal purpose. The intended purpose of the funds is the only thing that gets amended. Why take the chance that an unfriendly government comes in down the line and changes the laws and makes simple remittances more difficult, as they used to be. The only cost in it, as Dr. Pat Pong alluded to, is about THB 500 for a bottle of red wine to be given as a gift at the beginning of SongKran. In addition, if eqeefay's wife is going to be using SCB in the future, it is a good way to develop a banking relationship.

I know it sounds too good to be true, but I have used a law firm with an excellent reputation. They have opined that I can inherit and own both the house and land with no time limit.

As it pertains to the house, should I survive my wife, I am told that based on Community Property I would own 50% of the house and inherit the other 50% (as our Wills stipulate).

The land was acquired by my wife after 1999 and the house was also built after 1999. According to the Land Code, Sections 93 and 87, the attorney's have opined that should I survive my wife, as her legal statuatory heir, I can inherit (and own) land for residential purpose to the extent the total area does not exceed 1 rai.

I am also told that besides the lease route, another way to do this would be to transfer everything to our daughter now. Tax would have to be paid on the land transfer (which it would at some point anyway), similar to tax on a lease. My wife could then ask the court to create a Right of Habitation on the minor's property. The Right of Habitation allows rent free domicle for the life of the grantee or for a period of time not exceeding 30 years. No additional tax on the registration of the Right of Habitation would have to be paid.

Dragonman, please let me know your take on this. I obviously want to abide by the law, whatever this ends up being. While I don't ever envision anything I do ending up in court by any of our family, as our child gets it all anyway, I don't want to be in my mid 80's and find some local government official with his hand out because I am a foreigner and have documented this incorrectly. Of course, if I don't survive my wife, I guess none of this really matters as the wife is a Thai national.

Thanks,

Hi OMR. What your lawyer says is strictly correct in law. You CAN inherit the land. However this is strictly with the agreement of the Minister of Interior. As far as I am aware no Minister has yet given agreement to this, but will give agreement for you living in the property( for up to 1 year) until it is sold or transferred to a Thai.

The Right of Habitation is indeed a viable option.

While there is never anything certain, at least as far as Bangkok is concerned, the Land Department this morning said while Section 93 reads "The Minister shall...", in practise no permission or agreement is required from the Minister. This would explain why your checks on approvals by the Ministry didn't turn anything up. Perhaps the trick in alll this is not to ask.

At the end of the day, what it comes down to is whether a person is comfortable that the Land Department will take a similar view down the line or is more comfortable knowing they have at least 30 years usage of the property based on one of the structures previously discussed. By nature, I am very conservative so will opt for one of the 30 year structures.

Dragonman, as always, I appreciate your insights.

Personally, many of the Thais I know are very aware of international issues, but they were almost always educated outside of Thailand. Really, what chaps me more is I also know several highly educated foreigners, living in Thailand, who are completely oblivous to anything happening locally. They can have long discussions on most international socio-econimic issues, but when I try to discuss local issues, they don't care. This, I will never understand.

We are just bought some property in Hua Hin

I wired the money for the property from my bank in the States to the Thai bank

My Thai wife , in Thailand, used the money to buy the property.

I know there are a lot of restrictions on taking the money back out of Thailand should we decide to sell the property down the road. Most of the restrictions I am aware of govern foreigners buying condos in Thailand.

1. Does anyone know if my wife, who is thai, can sell the property and send the money out of the Thailand. At first we heard that all we had to do was show that the money for the property flowed from a foreign bank into a Thai bank. Now I am hearing that people (foreigners only???) must get a document called a "Tor Thor Saam" (Foreign Currency Exchange Transaction Certificate) from the Thai bank stating specifically that the money came from abroad and is being used to purchase property.

Without it they might have a tough selling their property in Thailand and moving the money back home. Does that also apply to Thais' too?

2. Are Thais allowed to send money to family members abroad in large amounts of , say , $20,000.at a time. We've always sent money into the Thailand...never out.

I'm sure there must be a certain amount that you are allowed to send family members who are living abroad or who are student in foreign universities.

As the property is your wife's and nothing to do with you, she can do what she likes with the money, even if you gave it to her. No real restrictions.

I stand corrected in that I was assuming egeefay would be the remitter out of Thailand, since he arranged for the incoming remittance (i.e. he was the source of the funds). You are, of course, correct that the wife would not be bound by egeefay's BOT documentation and would be the way to go.

On the amount that could be remitted out, subject to the purpose of the outward remittance, I doubt this would come into play. Exchange controls have not been in effect in Thailand for many years. While my experience has been on the corporate side, as long as the purpose matches the documentation, large amounts can legally be remitted out of Thailand. Again, the easiest way to get information on #2 of the questions above is for egeefay to have his wife sit down with the bank and find out what the rules are as they do change periodically. Also, while the Thai bank may not have it, the foreign bank may well have the English translation of the latest BOT rules on outward remittances.

I cannot answer many of your questions, but I can shed some light on the TT3. This is a Bank of Thailand (BOT) form which is meant to document incoming foreign exchange (FX). The TT4 form is for outgoing FX remittances. The TT3 and TT4 forms are the way the BOT keeps track of incoming and outgoing FX. These forms have nothing to do with whether Thai nationals are involved or not.

The people who advised you that it is important to have the TT3 reflect the purpose of the incoming funds have given you the correct advice. However, the TT3 has nothing to do with whether your wife can or cannot sell her real estate in the future. The BOT is the Central Bank of Thailand and has no interest in the purchases or sales of personal real estate. In this case, their interest is in the proper documentation of flow of funds in and out of Thailand.

Theoretically, should your wife sell the real estate and you wish to remit the funds back out of Thailand, the BOT would match the TT3 with the TT4. In reality, with the volume of incoming and outgoing FX, it is difficult for the BOT to do this, but the bank who you ask to remit the funds will check. Since you say the funds have already arrived, it is in your best interest to get the TT3 amended to show the actual purpose of the TT3 being to purchase real estate. This is possible, but usually the bank who received the funds will not want to do this as it is extra work. If you have a personal officer at your Thai bank, then they can move this forward. If you do not, the area of your Thai bank handling your transaction will be the Remittance Dept. They can liase with the foreign bank's Remittance Dept. to help you get this form amended. Please note that they may not speak very good English, if at all.

The people in the Remittance Dept. can provide you with a world of information, including the answers to the rest of your questions as they have to deal with incoming and outgoing FX and compliance with BOT directives, on a daily basis.

Thanks again.

Are you in agreement, should I survive my wife, that Community Property would allow me to stay in the house until my death? If yes, would it be rent free or would it depend on who owns the land?

I know it sounds too good to be true, but I have used a law firm with an excellent reputation. They have opined that I can inherit and own both the house and land with no time limit.

As it pertains to the house, should I survive my wife, I am told that based on Community Property I would own 50% of the house and inherit the other 50% (as our Wills stipulate).

The land was acquired by my wife after 1999 and the house was also built after 1999. According to the Land Code, Sections 93 and 87, the attorney's have opined that should I survive my wife, as her legal statuatory heir, I can inherit (and own) land for residential purpose to the extent the total area does not exceed 1 rai.

I am also told that besides the lease route, another way to do this would be to transfer everything to our daughter now. Tax would have to be paid on the land transfer (which it would at some point anyway), similar to tax on a lease. My wife could then ask the court to create a Right of Habitation on the minor's property. The Right of Habitation allows rent free domicle for the life of the grantee or for a period of time not exceeding 30 years. No additional tax on the registration of the Right of Habitation would have to be paid.

Dragonman, please let me know your take on this. I obviously want to abide by the law, whatever this ends up being. While I don't ever envision anything I do ending up in court by any of our family, as our child gets it all anyway, I don't want to be in my mid 80's and find some local government official with his hand out because I am a foreigner and have documented this incorrectly. Of course, if I don't survive my wife, I guess none of this really matters as the wife is a Thai national.

Thanks,

What are the Pros and Cons of registering a marriage at the Amphur?

My observation in registering a Thai marriage with the Ampur is that it 'restricts' the Thai spouse from certain services. In addition, a Thai spouse who wishes to have several Rai of land has to forego purchasing because of the 'foreign' last name. Cannot help but wonder what other problems there may be for a registered marriage of a Thai wife and 'foreign' husband?

This site has many pages and comments regarding Land Ownership and Leasing. It is my opinion that it would be much easier to have a Lease Agreement with a Thai spouse 'without' the foreign last name?

Some may say that you can inherit land from a Thai spouse therefore it would be much better to have a Registered marriage. I go back to some of the opinions regarding 'inheritance'. A 'foreign' spouse can inherit from a Thai spouse BUT Cannot remain on the land beyond 1 year, because we cannot own the land?

As I see it, the reality of registering a marriage is the following: You restrict the Thai spouse from obtaining land, Thai health care (30 Baht system), and I do not what else she could possibly be loosing out on?

I would like to hear from others that have an opinion regarding Registering and NOT Registering a Thai marriage at the Ampur? And, is there a benefit in having a Land Lease agreement with a non-registered marriage.

While I have been married for many years and our marriage has been registered in Thailand, I am now in process of researching issues relating to our house and land, both of which are in my wife's maiden name. In discussing this with my attorney, he has advised me that since we have registered our marriage in Thailand, I have the protection of Community Property. This allows me the right to continue to live in our house for the rest of my life, should I survive my wife. I am currently researching whether it makes sense to put a 30 year lease on the land or leave it as is, but in any event community property protection should be added to your list of reasons why you should register your marriage in Thailand. Note, as it relates to living in the house, I am told that it doesn't matter whether the title of the house is in your wife's maiden name or her married name, as long as it was acquired while you are legally married in Thailand.

Whilst I would like to side with your lawyer in that Community Property laws should have jurisdiction, I am afraid the highest Court in the Land, the Constitutional Court, has seen it fit to exclude land purchased by thais married to foreigners from Community Property. If you are concerned, obtain a lease. But my advice would be not to get it drafted by that lawyer

Again Dragonman, thanks for the advice. On Community Property, my attorney was referring to my right to live in the house for the rest of my life should I survive my wife, and nothing concerning the land (other than my continuing right to live in the house on the land). However, your information on how the courts view land under Community Property is useful. What I am hoping to be able to do, should I survive my wife - this all sounds so morbid, is deed the land over to my (Thai) daughter to keep the land in my immediate family. I think this should be OK, but I am trying now to find out whether there will be any issues if she is still a minor (although I wish my wife a continued long life, of course).

Best regards,

OMR. I'm afraid there is no guarantee about lifetime use of house. Although some people believe a usufruct will give them this right, historic Court decisions have shown the 30 year limit still applies, despite the Civil Code. I'm not sure if your nickname denotes where you come from in the States, or your age Perhaps 30 year lease would be enough. I understand where your lawyer is coming from in that the changes to the leasehold laws do in fact mention that if you hold a lease, and subsequently build a home and incorporate such within the lease, the lessor cannot evict. Of course this has yet to be tested in Court, and you would hold no land, purely the house and right of way to the property.

I can answer your question regarding your daughter. Your wife's will should leave the property to your daughter. However a thai Court would have jurisdiction over the property until she is 18, if not so already. You however would obviously be entitled to live in the property until the lease expired, or longer if you stay on good terms with your daughter

Again, thanks for the advice. In retrospect, it does make a lot of sense to amend my wife's Will and have the land left to my daughter instead of to me.

As it relates to Community Property, my attorney's law firm has opined that should I survive my wife, I would have the right to live in the house until my death regardless of how long I live or whether there is a lease on the property or who owns the property. In your opinion, is he correct on this? As it relates to the house, is there a 30 year time limit on Community Property as well?

While I have complete trust in my wife (of more than 30 years) and daughter, for peace of mind I guess it makes sense to put a lease on the property. Both my wife and daughter are dual nationals, and who knows, laws could change.

OMR relates more to my age (I am closing in on 60) and my fondness for the song than to where I come from in the US. The big river near where I grew up is the Hudson.

Best regards.

Bangkok. Uncle has not suffered any bites in several nights. A few weeks ago, usually one a night (usually each mosquito making several successful biting runs; very adept at finding ankles, back of elbows, other tasty spots) . Problem aggravated by need to make several bathroom visits with mosquitoes evidently following back into screened bedroom Causal role of beer drinking and prostate problems.

What is the cause of recent decline in mosquito activity?

Cause of recent decline? No rain. Remember, we had some unseaonably heavy rain showers in Bangkok a few weeks ago. At that time I also noticed the increased mosquito activity and recent subsequent decline in activity. Wait until late April or early May and it will be business as usual.

What are the Pros and Cons of registering a marriage at the Amphur?

My observation in registering a Thai marriage with the Ampur is that it 'restricts' the Thai spouse from certain services. In addition, a Thai spouse who wishes to have several Rai of land has to forego purchasing because of the 'foreign' last name. Cannot help but wonder what other problems there may be for a registered marriage of a Thai wife and 'foreign' husband?

This site has many pages and comments regarding Land Ownership and Leasing. It is my opinion that it would be much easier to have a Lease Agreement with a Thai spouse 'without' the foreign last name?

Some may say that you can inherit land from a Thai spouse therefore it would be much better to have a Registered marriage. I go back to some of the opinions regarding 'inheritance'. A 'foreign' spouse can inherit from a Thai spouse BUT Cannot remain on the land beyond 1 year, because we cannot own the land?

As I see it, the reality of registering a marriage is the following: You restrict the Thai spouse from obtaining land, Thai health care (30 Baht system), and I do not what else she could possibly be loosing out on?

I would like to hear from others that have an opinion regarding Registering and NOT Registering a Thai marriage at the Ampur? And, is there a benefit in having a Land Lease agreement with a non-registered marriage.

While I have been married for many years and our marriage has been registered in Thailand, I am now in process of researching issues relating to our house and land, both of which are in my wife's maiden name. In discussing this with my attorney, he has advised me that since we have registered our marriage in Thailand, I have the protection of Community Property. This allows me the right to continue to live in our house for the rest of my life, should I survive my wife. I am currently researching whether it makes sense to put a 30 year lease on the land or leave it as is, but in any event community property protection should be added to your list of reasons why you should register your marriage in Thailand. Note, as it relates to living in the house, I am told that it doesn't matter whether the title of the house is in your wife's maiden name or her married name, as long as it was acquired while you are legally married in Thailand.

Whilst I would like to side with your lawyer in that Community Property laws should have jurisdiction, I am afraid the highest Court in the Land, the Constitutional Court, has seen it fit to exclude land purchased by thais married to foreigners from Community Property. If you are concerned, obtain a lease. But my advice would be not to get it drafted by that lawyer

Again Dragonman, thanks for the advice. On Community Property, my attorney was referring to my right to live in the house for the rest of my life should I survive my wife, and nothing concerning the land (other than my continuing right to live in the house on the land). However, your information on how the courts view land under Community Property is useful. What I am hoping to be able to do, should I survive my wife - this all sounds so morbid, is deed the land over to my (Thai) daughter to keep the land in my immediate family. I think this should be OK, but I am trying now to find out whether there will be any issues if she is still a minor (although I wish my wife a continued long life, of course).

Best regards,

I was just advised, competently I believe, that a US will is OK but it would have to be translated into Thai and processed through some court procedure, that a Thai will would therefore make things a little easier.

You have been advised correctly. Legal foreign wills are acceptable in Thai Courts subject to being translated and authorised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The thai translation has precedence during any queries and you should make sure your"personal representative", suggested as a good Executor to the Court, speaks thai.

"A thai will" should make things easier for your lawyer, or thai executor, but not essential.

Dragonman, does it go the other way? If you have a Thai Will in English language and if you have assets in another country (US in my case), can you file the Thai Will and have it enforceable in the other country? I realize it might depend on which other country, so would you happen to know as it pertains to the US?

Thanks.

State laws in the US make the matter of "last will and testament" a minefield, which I am sure a great number of American lawyers greatly appreciate Depending on your home State, most accept thai wills as long as they don't breach State legislature. It would undoubtedly be best to employ an American Law Firm based in Thailand to draft the will however.

Thank you very much for the advice.

Best regards.

If there is a split in the military that a forum member believes what is the chance that the whole issue escalates and gets really nasty? I would like to hear the views of those well versed in Thai politics and culture.

Can it get nasty? Yes, anything is possible, but I don't see this bombing as work of the military. I also don't see this as a one off, as we shouldn't forget that just a week or so ago a bomb went off outside of the Santi Asoke compound (General Chamlong's group) in the middle of the night. Fortunately, no one was injured at that time.

The Privy Councilors are highly respected in Thailand and are a very short step away from The Palace. General Prem, Chairman of the Privy Councilors, is the most highly respected. He is also highly esteemed in the South, where he comes from. First a strike against a Buddhist sect and then against a Privy Councilor. No Thai in modern times would do this, and certainly no group of military would dishonor their country in such a way.

Should it ever get nasty you can expect it to be short lived, much as it was in 1992.

I was just advised, competently I believe, that a US will is OK but it would have to be translated into Thai and processed through some court procedure, that a Thai will would therefore make things a little easier.

You have been advised correctly. Legal foreign wills are acceptable in Thai Courts subject to being translated and authorised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The thai translation has precedence during any queries and you should make sure your"personal representative", suggested as a good Executor to the Court, speaks thai.

"A thai will" should make things easier for your lawyer, or thai executor, but not essential.

Dragonman, does it go the other way? If you have a Thai Will in English language and if you have assets in another country (US in my case), can you file the Thai Will and have it enforceable in the other country? I realize it might depend on which other country, so would you happen to know as it pertains to the US?

Thanks.

What are the Pros and Cons of registering a marriage at the Amphur?

My observation in registering a Thai marriage with the Ampur is that it 'restricts' the Thai spouse from certain services. In addition, a Thai spouse who wishes to have several Rai of land has to forego purchasing because of the 'foreign' last name. Cannot help but wonder what other problems there may be for a registered marriage of a Thai wife and 'foreign' husband?

This site has many pages and comments regarding Land Ownership and Leasing. It is my opinion that it would be much easier to have a Lease Agreement with a Thai spouse 'without' the foreign last name?

Some may say that you can inherit land from a Thai spouse therefore it would be much better to have a Registered marriage. I go back to some of the opinions regarding 'inheritance'. A 'foreign' spouse can inherit from a Thai spouse BUT Cannot remain on the land beyond 1 year, because we cannot own the land?

As I see it, the reality of registering a marriage is the following: You restrict the Thai spouse from obtaining land, Thai health care (30 Baht system), and I do not what else she could possibly be loosing out on?

I would like to hear from others that have an opinion regarding Registering and NOT Registering a Thai marriage at the Ampur? And, is there a benefit in having a Land Lease agreement with a non-registered marriage.

While I have been married for many years and our marriage has been registered in Thailand, I am now in process of researching issues relating to our house and land, both of which are in my wife's maiden name. In discussing this with my attorney, he has advised me that since we have registered our marriage in Thailand, I have the protection of Community Property. This allows me the right to continue to live in our house for the rest of my life, should I survive my wife. I am currently researching whether it makes sense to put a 30 year lease on the land or leave it as is, but in any event community property protection should be added to your list of reasons why you should register your marriage in Thailand. Note, as it relates to living in the house, I am told that it doesn't matter whether the title of the house is in your wife's maiden name or her married name, as long as it was acquired while you are legally married in Thailand.