Steps required after farang death in Thailand.

[johnny1966]

Hopefully I have a ways to go, but in the event of my passing in Thailand, what steps does the Thai Mrs. have to take to have my body cremated in Thailand and obtain a death certificate to be translated and certified for use in obtaining my superannuation funds in Australia? If I do not have a formal will, can she have my body cremated here? I do not want my body sent back to Oz.

[Tropicalevo]

As far as I can remember, there are no major hurdles if you die of natural causes.

She can arrange the cremation at the local temple, but she will need to let the Oz authorities know.

They will need a copy of the death certificate, and then have to send a letter to your wife, for her to take to the local hospital, in order to release your body to the temple.

Death certificate is from the hospital or doctor.

There is also a certificate from the temple to confirm the creation.

Names etc should be exactly the same on the wedding certificate, the death certificate and the temple certificate.

Translation can be by your embassy or any translation service.

Please make a will. When my English wife died, it took me two years (and a few baht) to get her things transferred into my name. The will can be hand written in English but better (and more expensive) if written by a reputable lawyer

Edited February 28, 2021 by Tropicalevo

[daveAustin]

Always be worth more alive than dead 

[Haveasay]

On a post recently you could arrange a Thai will, for around 6000 baht. That ensures the Thai authorities do your wishes and I would recommend. 

[LarryLEB]

In Thailand, the phrase "reputable lawyer" can be something of an oxymoron.

Edited March 1, 2021 by LarryLEB

[ChrisKC]

There are two "authorities" that should be notified ASAP,: first is the police, second is the Embassy or Consul appropriate to the National concerned. The embassy will give advice on procedure from their point of view.

Edited March 1, 2021 by ChrisKC
added comment

[toolpush]

As far as I know, natural causes have nothing to do with it. If a Farang dies outside a hospital, their body is automatically sent to the police hospital in Bangkok for an autopsy. That occurred with two of my friends who passed on.

[kamalabob2]

All of the above are valid recommendations. There is a "probate' in Thailand. The OP really should pay for a will. Maybe consider a medical directive. Save so much hassle for his loved ones. Probate is not fast in Thailand, nor is is fast in other countries. There may be important information in English on respective Embassy websites to help you understand the procedure. The fun of autos registered in a province a far distance from from the widow, how fussy those banks can be, and the joy of collecting survivors benefits or stopping social security payments. 

[from the home of CC]

58 minutes ago, LarryLEB said:

In Thailand, the phrase "reputable lawyer" can be something of an oxymoron.

imo landsharks are same everywhere..

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Always be worth more alive than dead 

It doesn't matter how much we're worth, we all peg-it one day.

[KC 71]

I think might get cremated locally ~ ashes scattered in the Mekong.Also maybe half of them on Ilkley Moor (if they can stick me in the post, that is) ????

Expatriation of a body can cost an arm and a leg (pardon the pun)

[KC 71]

Just now, KC 71 said:

I think might get cremated locally ~ ashes scattered in the Mekong.Also maybe half of them on Ilkley Moor (if they can stick me in the post, that is) ????

Expatriation of a body can cost an arm and a leg (pardon the pun)

Repatriation sorry

[bangon04]

4 hours ago, KC 71 said:

I think might get cremated locally ~ ashes scattered in the Mekong.Also maybe half of them on Ilkley Moor (if they can stick me in the post, that is) ????

Expatriation of a body can cost an arm and a leg (pardon the pun)

Is there a legal requirement to cremate the body? or can it just be tossed into the hospital trash bin er I mean donated to medical science......

[daveAustin]

8 hours ago, hotchilli said:

It doesn't matter how much we're worth, we all peg-it one day.

Granted. Point being, others have had that day brought forward somewhat when certain unscrupulous individuals have worked out that moneys can be sought on one's demise.

[AlexRich]

8 hours ago, KC 71 said:

I think might get cremated locally ~ ashes scattered in the Mekong.Also maybe half of them on Ilkley Moor (if they can stick me in the post, that is) ????

Expatriation of a body can cost an arm and a leg (pardon the pun)

with or without “tat”?

[JimHuaHin]

15 hours ago, toolpush said:

As far as I know, natural causes have nothing to do with it. If a Farang dies outside a hospital, their body is automatically sent to the police hospital in Bangkok for an autopsy. That occurred with two of my friends who passed on.

 

An old farang neighbour died on the beach last year - body went from beach to hospital, and then onto a temple the next day.  No trip to Bangkok.

[JimHuaHin]

May I also suggest that you contact your Australian super fund to find out what their requirements are if you pass away OS.  I contacted my fund a few years ago and found that my super fund provides benefits (pension or lump sum) deposited electronically into an Australian-based bank account - no they cannot send monthly cheques overseas, no they cannot transfer funds to an overseas bank, it has to be an Australian-based bank.  Thus, my now ex partner, would have had to travel to Australia and opened a bank account in Australia to receive any benefits.

[FritsSikkink]

On ‎3‎/‎1‎/‎2021 at 4:11 PM, LarryLEB said:

In Thailand, the phrase "reputable lawyer" can be something of an oxymoron.

Somebody wants a defamation lawsuit.

[johnny1966]

On 3/2/2021 at 8:54 AM, JimHuaHin said:

May I also suggest that you contact your Australian super fund to find out what their requirements are if you pass away OS.  I contacted my fund a few years ago and found that my super fund provides benefits (pension or lump sum) deposited electronically into an Australian-based bank account - no they cannot send monthly cheques overseas, no they cannot transfer funds to an overseas bank, it has to be an Australian-based bank.  Thus, my now ex partner, would have had to travel to Australia and opened a bank account in Australia to receive any benefits.

 

Good point. I assume my sister's Australian bank account would be sufficient given she is the beneficiary. She will then send to my Mrs in Thailand as per my wishes.

[Toolong]

I am a 61 year old male foreigner in Thailand, married to a Thai spouse, staying by use of yearly 'marriage visa' extensions.

 

I would appreciate some info about MAKING A WILL here, in order for my wife to more easily deal with matters here in Thailand when I die.

 

Does the making of any will HAVE TO involve lawyers? (Pefer not to if not necassary.)

Can I simply type it out in English myself and then my wife makes a directly-translated Thai version?

 

Or does it have to involve lawyers and legals stamps etc? 

 

By the way, I am already familiar with the need for witnesses and so on. What I would like to know is the format of the will and what is required for it to be legal.

 

Hope some of you kind folks can help.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[offset]

Always make sure the wife have enough money to last at least 3 months and extra for probate and dealing with the body 

[jayceenik]

Belgian national. Married to a Thai. Living in Thailand.

I have a Thai Will for her drafted by lawyers in Pattaya (10k).

In addition, to preclude any possible legal obstructions/delays by the Belgian Embassy as to the disposal of my corpse and needed notification to eventual family in home country when they're notified of my death I have written a formal declaration stating that I have no family outside my wife, thus nobody to be notified in Belgium and that she is the one to dispose of my body as she deems best. 

Written in French, English and Thai. Notarized at the Embassy with copy in my file there.

BTW they said that they will translate, on request by my widow, in French, free, my Thai Certificate of Death.

[Jeffr2]

I would contact your embassy and ask them what the procedures are.  I did this with the US embassy and they were fantastic.  Info is even on their website as to what's required.

 

My relative passed outside the hospital, so the body was sent to the police hospital in Bangkok for an autopsy.  This is a real pain in the ass.  Docs need to be translated, transport costs paid, etc.  Definitely need a Thai speaker to help here.  And there were several mistakes by the local police station, so that was no fun sorting out.

 

I'd have a joint bank account.  If you pass, your partner can take out whatever money is there.  No will required.

 

The temple didn't have to provide any paperwork.  The cremation was easy and cheap.  Burial at sea by the Navy in Sattahip, which was a fantastic service.  This temple used oil to cremate.  So, lots of big pieces left that were put into the sea.  The rest fit into a beautiful vase they provided which was mailed back home for burial.  Easy.

 

Great you are trying to organize things now.  Write everything down on a piece of paper.  What your assets are.  Contact info for relatives.  Insurance info, etc.

[bradiston]

On 4/24/2021 at 12:30 PM, Toolong said:

I am a 61 year old male foreigner in Thailand, married to a Thai spouse, staying by use of yearly 'marriage visa' extensions.

 

I would appreciate some info about MAKING A WILL here, in order for my wife to more easily deal with matters here in Thailand when I die.

 

Does the making of any will HAVE TO involve lawyers? (Pefer not to if not necassary.)

Can I simply type it out in English myself and then my wife makes a directly-translated Thai version?

 

Or does it have to involve lawyers and legals stamps etc? 

 

By the way, I am already familiar with the need for witnesses and so on. What I would like to know is the format of the will and what is required for it to be legal.

 

Hope some of you kind folks can help.

 

Thanks.

 

 

I made a will here in Thailand, as I did back home. The Thai one was because I have a Thai bank account, and winding the estate up in that regard can I heard get complicated without a Thai will. I have property here too, but it will automatically go to my daughter who is Thai as she owns the land the house is built on.

 

The will consists of 5 pages, 2 containing the details, bequests, executors etc etc, a page of signatures and witnesses, a very high resolution glossy photograph of myself signing the will, flanked by the two witnesses. I thought that was a nice touch. Also, photocopies of my passport main pages, including the page containing my last 12 month extension of stay based on retirement.

 

They issued 3 copies. One he kept. One for my daughter and one for me. Total cost 4,000 THB. A snip if you ask me. A lawyer in Pattaya Nua who speaks excellent English and has probably drawn up more wills than I've had hot Tom Yam.

[mvdf]

Official seals and signatures (even thumbprints) are everything in Asian countries. They convey a sense of legitimacy and trust.

 

Handwritten instructions are best witnessed, stored in duplicates or triplicates and made official by a lawyer or a notary public.  

Edited April 26, 2021 by mvdf

[Excel]

On 3/2/2021 at 8:43 AM, JimHuaHin said:

 

An old farang neighbour died on the beach last year - body went from beach to hospital, and then onto a temple the next day.  No trip to Bangkok.

That is correct, the body does not get transported to Bangkok. 

[Jeffr2]

27 minutes ago, Excel said:

That is correct, the body does not get transported to Bangkok. 

My relatives did.

[Toolong]

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

I made a will here in Thailand, as I did back home. The Thai one was because I have a Thai bank account, and winding the estate up in that regard can I heard get complicated without a Thai will. I have property here too, but it will automatically go to my daughter who is Thai as she owns the land the house is built on.

 

The will consists of 5 pages, 2 containing the details, bequests, executors etc etc, a page of signatures and witnesses, a very high resolution glossy photograph of myself signing the will, flanked by the two witnesses. I thought that was a nice touch. Also, photocopies of my passport main pages, including the page containing my last 12 month extension of stay based on retirement.

 

They issued 3 copies. One he kept. One for my daughter and one for me. Total cost 4,000 THB. A snip if you ask me. A lawyer in Pattaya Nua who speaks excellent English and has probably drawn up more wills than I've had hot Tom Yam.

Thanks for your response to my post, Bradiston. Interesting stuff and what you've done sounds sensible and has given me indicators to what I too should do.

However, regarding lawyers,  I have decided, after reading posts here on TV, to look into doing an 'Amphur will', first. I could be wrong - I'll no doubt find out soon - but it sounds not too complcated and COULD be sufficient, and relatively inexpensive. (I am one who shudders at the thought of stepping into any lawyers office! Although with respect, perhaps the one you use is decent - good ones do exist! And 4000baht is certainly reasonable.)

So that's what I'm gonna try first. I'll see how it goes. Will let you know.

 

Cheers. ????

[giddyup]

2 hours ago, bradiston said:

I made a will here in Thailand, as I did back home. The Thai one was because I have a Thai bank account, and winding the estate up in that regard can I heard get complicated without a Thai will. I have property here too, but it will automatically go to my daughter who is Thai as she owns the land the house is built on.

 

The will consists of 5 pages, 2 containing the details, bequests, executors etc etc, a page of signatures and witnesses, a very high resolution glossy photograph of myself signing the will, flanked by the two witnesses. I thought that was a nice touch. Also, photocopies of my passport main pages, including the page containing my last 12 month extension of stay based on retirement.

 

They issued 3 copies. One he kept. One for my daughter and one for me. Total cost 4,000 THB. A snip if you ask me. A lawyer in Pattaya Nua who speaks excellent English and has probably drawn up more wills than I've had hot Tom Yam.

Mind PM-ing me the name of the lawyer, 4000 baht is cheap.

[Asquith Production]

1 hour ago, Toolong said:

Thanks for your response to my post, Bradiston. Interesting stuff and what you've done sounds sensible and has given me indicators to what I too should do.

However, regarding lawyers,  I have decided, after reading posts here on TV, to look into doing an 'Amphur will', first. I could be wrong - I'll no doubt find out soon - but it sounds not too complcated and COULD be sufficient, and relatively inexpensive. (I am one who shudders at the thought of stepping into any lawyers office! Although with respect, perhaps the one you use is decent - good ones do exist! And 4000baht is certainly reasonable.)

So that's what I'm gonna try first. I'll see how it goes. Will let you know.

 

Cheers. ????

One requirement for a Amphur  will is that you must be able to read and write Thai.

https://www.samuiforsale.com/family-law/forms-of-wills-under-thai-law.html

Edited April 27, 2021 by Asquith Production
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