Thai bank account and driving licence issue (change of name by deed poll)

[Thomas KH]

Asking on behalf of a friend (from the UK). He left Thailand before the pandemic. He now plans to return in Feb 2023. In 2021 he changed his name by deed poll and his passport name now reflects that new name (his UK driving licence too).

 

He still has two Thai accounts with a rather substantial amount of money in Phuket. The name on those accounts is his former name. What is the process of having the name on a Thai account changed based on a passport with a new name? Can he go to the bank with both passports (previous one but expired and current valid one with the new name) and show that they belong to one and the same person?

 

On another but identical matter, would it be less complicated to simply go through the entire process of retaking the tests for a new Thai driving licence? Or can he renew his now expired Thai driving licence and, again, present the previous and current passports to adjust the name on the DLT's system?

 

[Kwasaki]

I would say bring proof of UK  name change, maybe a confirmation letter from UK embassy.

Get Thai translations and photocopies, get new Thai driving licences and change name at the bank. 

[Thomas KH]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

I would say bring proof of UK  name change, maybe a confirmation letter from UK embassy.

Get Thai translations and photocopies, get new Thai driving licences and change name at the bank. 

Thank you. Would it make it easier and less complicated to use the service of, say, Siam Legal or a similar agent to sort it all out?

 

 

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, Thomas KH said:

Thank you. Would it make it easier and less complicated to use the service of, say, Siam Legal or a similar agent to sort it all out?

 

I would guess so if he still has any problems with the certified proof his gets in UK and it is not translated to Thai correctly. 

 

My Thai wife changed her name to my surname at marriage and got things changed over OK I don't see why it will be a problem for your friend if he has cerfied proof. 

[NanLaew]

17 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

I would guess so if he still has any problems with the certified proof his gets in UK and it is not translated to Thai correctly. 

 

My Thai wife changed her name to my surname at marriage and got things changed over OK I don't see why it will be a problem for your friend if he has cerfied proof. 

Except your Thai born wife was doing these changes in Thailand. The procedures for the locals can be cut and dried but any similar dealings by a foreigner is fraught with the incorrect translation, letter from embassy or certified by MOFA circus.

 

Don't the UK authorities issue some formal documentation with the before/after details of the name change by deed poll? I recall reading a fairly recent post about someone seeking advice on what's needed for Thai immigration to transfer/renew an extension when the same person is presenting their new passport with their new name (deed poll change). I recall mention of there being two official methods of doing the name change in the UK but only one provides this supporting documentation?

 

If the OP's friend still has full control over the existing, old-name accounts, including online access, why not open new account(s) and do regular transfers from old to new accounts over a period of time?