Dying unexpectedly in Thailand

[berro]

If I die unexpectedly in Thailand, then how to make this as less of a burden for a family member in my home country, in a financial and organizational way? I don't have a partner in Thailand.

I would like to be cremated in Thailand and have the ashes sent back to my home country, or maybe scattered in Thailand.

 

Any recommendations and advice how to deal with this situation? What would or could it cost, approximately?

Just to add: I don't own property here in Thailand but rent a place. The amount of money on my Thai bank account is negligible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JimTripper]

I think if you do nothing you still get scattered at a wat somewhere.

 

Embassy would be informed, they contact your family, then it's up to them to come over and take it from there if they chose to do so.

Edited January 11 by JimTripper

[lopburi3]

Here is a list on US Embassy site of several experienced services with costs listed (about 30k for local cremation and paperwork/services).  Obviously you must make next of kin aware of what you want.  They can work directly with such service and should not be any issues.

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/#collapse5

 

Click on financial arrangements

Edited January 11 by lopburi3

[georgegeorgia]

This is what you should be planning for already

If your over 75 then time is limited,if you make it to 80 then everyday is a bonus 

[retarius]

44 minutes ago, berro said:

If I die unexpectedly in Thailand, then how to make this as less of a burden for a family member in my home country, in a financial and organizational way? I don't have a partner in Thailand.

I would like to be cremated in Thailand and have the ashes sent back to my home country, or maybe scattered in Thailand.

 

Any recommendations and advice how to deal with this situation? What would or could it cost, approximately?

Just to add: I don't own property here in Thailand but rent a place. The amount of money on my Thai bank account is negligible.

Thanks in advance.

 

Berro, I put it in my will that I wanted to be cremated in Thailand. I noted that they should hold the funeral in the event that my sons wanted to come to the send off.

[HighPriority]

Your thinking is sound, make a will and or discuss with your family what you'd like, so as to make it as simple for them as possible when the time comes.

[NanLaew]

Two things needed here: a Living Will, which is a legal document that details how you prefer to receive medical treatment, or not, when you can no longer make decisions for yourself, and a Will for when you are dead and what relatives and/or friends should do. Appointing an Executor of the Will is a significant part of this. There are lawyers who can assist here, but these both need to be accepted as legal documents in Thailand and the homeland of the OP and/or Executor.

Edited January 11 by NanLaew

[simon43]

There are only 3 things that my neighbours and friends need to know:

1 - I have no money

2 - The matches are in the top drawer in the kitchen

3 - After using 2) to incinerate me, bin day is on Fridays :)

 

Life is so much more simple when you have no money and no family who cares about you! :)

[hotandsticky]

3 hours ago, retarius said:

Berro, I put it in my will that I wanted to be cremated in Thailand. I noted that they should hold the funeral in the event that my sons wanted to come to the send off.

 

 

Have you asked your sons? Is there any reason why they would want to come?  What if you die in another country?

 

 

I had these discussions with my daughters a few years back..............No, they have no wish to attend the cremation (in itself very difficult because the Thais don't hang about lighting up that fire). No, they do not want my ashes sent back to the UK (they believe that I as I have chosen Thailand as my home, it is right that I should be cremated there). My Will states that I wish to be cremated in the country in which I die  -  saves any ridiculous repatriation costs.

 

When I am dead, I am dead, and my daughters share my belief that life is for the living.

 

My Will also allocates GBP 1,000 for a 'family' celebration of my life and a small memorial (if they want one) at my UK crematorium.

[hotandsticky]

9 minutes ago, simon43 said:

There are only 3 things that my neighbours and friends need to know:

1 - I have no money

2 - The matches are in the top drawer in the kitchen

3 - After using 2) to incinerate me, bin day is on Fridays :)

 

Life is so much more simple when you have no money and no family who cares about you! :)

 

 

You might as well top yourself....................you don't seem to have much to live for.

[berro]

5 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Have you asked your sons? Is there any reason why they would want to come?  What if you die in another country?

 

 

I had these discussions with my daughters a few years back..............No, they have no wish to attend the cremation (in itself very difficult because the Thais don't hang about lighting up that fire). No, they do not want my ashes sent back to the UK (they believe that I as I have chosen Thailand as my home, it is right that I should be cremated there). My Will states that I wish to be cremated in the country in which I die  -  saves any ridiculous repatriation costs.

 

When I am dead, I am dead, and my daughters share my belief that life is for the living.

 

My Will also allocates GBP 1,000 for a 'family' celebration of my life and a small memorial (if they want one) at my UK crematorium.

 

Did you let your Will made in Thailand?

If so, what were the costs, about?

[simon43]

14 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

You might as well top yourself....................you don't seem to have much to live for.

On the contrary, I realised many years ago that money does not buy happiness.  I used to be a $ millionaire, but nowadays my total assets are probably less than 1 million baht.  Has that made me want to top my self?  Absolutely not!!

 

I have more than enough money for my needs, including renting a big house and garden, paying for private medical insurance etc etc.  I have zero debts and no liabilities.  I live in a beautiful and cheap location (Luang Prabang) and have to pay no personal tax, no council tax etc etc.  My daily spend on food, petrol etc is less than 500 baht. I have an enjoyable hobby (ham radio) and have a daily income from teaching science online (I have about 280 private 1-1 students across the world).  My health is reasonably good and I kicked my 3 ex wives into touch yonks ago!

 

Given all the above, who should top themselves?  Me or you? :)

 

 

Edited January 11 by simon43

[Peterphuket]

6 minutes ago, simon43 said:

On the contrary, I realised many years ago that money does not buy happiness.  I used to be a $ millionaire, but nowadays my total assets are probably less than 1 million baht.  Has that made me want to top my self?  Absolutely not!!

 

I have more than enough money for my needs, including renting a big house and garden, paying for private medical insurance etc etc.  I have zero debts and no liabilities.  I live in a beautiful and cheap location (Luang Prabang) and have to pay no personal tax, no council tax etc etc.  My daily spend on food, petrol etc is less than 500 baht. I have an enjoyable hobby (ham radio) and have a daily income from teaching science online (I have about 280 private 1-1 students across the world).  My health is reasonably good and I kicked my 3 ex wives into touch yonks ago!

 

Given all the above, who should top themselves?  Me or you? :)

 

 

Totally agree what you mention here and especially towards getting older, you realise the relativity of life.

[hotandsticky]

7 minutes ago, simon43 said:

On the contrary, I realised many years ago that money does not buy happiness.  I used to be a $ millionaire, but nowadays my total assets are probably less than 1 million baht.  Has that made me want to top my self?  Absolutely not!!

 

I have more than enough money for my needs, including renting a big house and garden, paying for private medical insurance etc etc.  I have zero debts and no liabilities.  I live in a beautiful and cheap location (Luang Prabang) and have to pay no personal tax, no council tax etc etc.  My daily spend on food, petrol etc is less than 500 baht. I have an enjoyable hobby (ham radio) and have a daily income from teaching science online (I have about 280 private 1-1 students across the world).  My health is reasonably good and I kicked my 3 ex wives into touch yonks ago!

 

Given all the above, who should top themselves?  Me or you? :)

 

 

 

 

Certainly not me.

 

Your apparent bleating in your earlier post seems a bit redundant now you have changed from "I have no money...".

 

Live well.

[hotandsticky]

18 minutes ago, berro said:

 

Did you let your Will made in Thailand?

If so, what were the costs, about?

 

 

Cost me nothing, I drew it up myself. A half page document duly signed and witnessed, with a Thai based executor.

[tanner]

25 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

You might as well top yourself....................you don't seem to have much to live for.

He's got a good sense of humour, that's a bonus  !.

[berro]

7 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Cost me nothing, I drew it up myself. A half page document duly signed and witnessed, with a Thai based executor.

Excuse my ignorance, but where to find such executors and what are their fees, about?

[hotandsticky]

3 minutes ago, berro said:

Excuse my ignorance, but where to find such executors and what are their fees, about?

 

Executors can be (should be) friends who carry out your wishes free of charge. The Thai estate is likely to be minimal.

 

No need for a 'professional' executor unless the estate in Thailand is complicated.

 

I have a separate Will for assets in the UK.

[Liverpool Lou]

51 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Life is so much more simple when you have no money and no family who cares about you! :)

Death is so much more simple when you have no money and no family who cares about you! :)

[bkk6060]

It is a shame how many people I know who have lots of assets here, with no death plan. Very selfish if one puts the burden of this on loved ones in another country.  You really want them to come here and deal with it? You know it will just be a big hassle. I think a minimalist type lifestyle is best. I have a car here, but that is my most valuable asset and my Will makes arrangements for that. Otherwise, cremation and I already told my family not to come.

 

PS: anyone that believes their embassy will take care of things seems a bit naive.  Many of them seem unable or unwilling to assist with simple matters now. When you die think they care?

Edited January 11 by bkk6060

[thpitsch]

I found out that you can pay for your own cremation and the spreading of the ashes in the sea in advance.

[scorecard]

4 hours ago, berro said:

If I die unexpectedly in Thailand, then how to make this as less of a burden for a family member in my home country, in a financial and organizational way? I don't have a partner in Thailand.

I would like to be cremated in Thailand and have the ashes sent back to my home country, or maybe scattered in Thailand.

 

Any recommendations and advice how to deal with this situation? What would or could it cost, approximately?

Just to add: I don't own property here in Thailand but rent a place. The amount of money on my Thai bank account is negligible.

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Do you have legal/valid will in Thailand?

Do you have a legal/valid will in your original country?

[Lacessit]

55 minutes ago, simon43 said:

There are only 3 things that my neighbours and friends need to know:

1 - I have no money

2 - The matches are in the top drawer in the kitchen

3 - After using 2) to incinerate me, bin day is on Fridays :)

 

Life is so much more simple when you have no money and no family who cares about you! :)

I like to think there are people who will mourn my passing, while rejoicing I have left them something.

[CFCol]

26 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Cost me nothing, I drew it up myself. A half page document duly signed and witnessed, with a Thai based executor.

Did you remember to register it at the Amphur?

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

anyone that believes their embassy will take care of things seems a bit naive. 

Embassies do what they are obligated to do, they advise the family in the home country of the death and if they then need any advice, they provide it.   Embassies are not there to arrange funerals.

[Liverpool Lou]

Just now, CFCol said:

27 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Cost me nothing, I drew it up myself. A half page document duly signed and witnessed, with a Thai based executor.

Did you remember to register it at the Amphur?

It doesn't have to be.

[Lacessit]

35 minutes ago, simon43 said:

On the contrary, I realised many years ago that money does not buy happiness.  I used to be a $ millionaire, but nowadays my total assets are probably less than 1 million baht.  Has that made me want to top my self?  Absolutely not!!

 

I have more than enough money for my needs, including renting a big house and garden, paying for private medical insurance etc etc.  I have zero debts and no liabilities.  I live in a beautiful and cheap location (Luang Prabang) and have to pay no personal tax, no council tax etc etc.  My daily spend on food, petrol etc is less than 500 baht. I have an enjoyable hobby (ham radio) and have a daily income from teaching science online (I have about 280 private 1-1 students across the world).  My health is reasonably good and I kicked my 3 ex wives into touch yonks ago!

 

Given all the above, who should top themselves?  Me or you? :)

 

 

Out of curiosity, how difficult is it to get a long-term visa for Laos? I am getting a bit tired of the Thai BS, including the latest tax changes.

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, CFCol said:

Did you remember to register it at the Amphur?

 

Not necessary.

 

 

To register at the amphur I would not be able to understand what the Will said as it has to be in Thai.

 

The Will is only a backup for my partner in case she cannot access/remove my bank funds in the manner we have planned ie online.

[berro]

13 minutes ago, thpitsch said:

I found out that you can pay for your own cremation and the spreading of the ashes in the sea in advance.

Could you elaborate a bit on that?

[JimTripper]

11 minutes ago, berro said:

Could you elaborate a bit on that?

Neptune Society does it, but I think it's only if you are in the Usa. It's actually a beautiful program and you pay in advance. They take you out on a boat at sunrise I think. They take care of it even if you are single, but I don't think they have international reach. Not sure though, may want to check.

 

https://www.neptunesociety.com/

Edited January 11 by JimTripper