Advice?? Bank accounts on death

[rasalvaje]

I have accounts in two banks here in Thailand.  I am in my 80s and would like to leave the contents of those accounts to a Thai friend, who has always helped with visas  banks, doctors and hospitals for many years.  What is the easiest and most thrifty way to leave it to him after I am gone?  Thank you for your help!

[Ralf001]

do you have a Thai will ?

[scubascuba3]

Wills are about 5k, BTW you aren't dead yet, you may need the money, medical expenses are expensive the last 6 months of your life

[worrab]

Get your Will written by a Thai Lawyer and this will include the 2 bank accounts. Then state who you wish to leave the contents to. Name who you wish as executor and this can be the Lawyer, if need be. Job done. 

[Surasak]

49 minutes ago, worrab said:

Get your Will written by a Thai Lawyer and this will include the 2 bank accounts. Then state who you wish to leave the contents to. Name who you wish as executor and this can be the Lawyer, if need be. Job done. 

Personally I wouldn't use a Thai lawyer to write my will. I walked away from two, who insisted they had to be the executor. I might be cabbage looking, but I'm not green.

There is no reason you cannot write your own Will, and have it witnessed. Just ensure the bank books are not given to the police, no matter what they threaten.

[wwest5829]

So, I am the Executor for my Aussie friend who passed in December 2024. As regards the bank accounts, I am dealing with that now. Now? Yes. As stated in the Will ,I am designated as Executor. BUT, you have to go to the Thai Provincial Court and give testimony so the Court can officially designate you as Executor having power to carry out the terms of the Will. Court testimony was given at the beginning of March, mid April document received (Songkran). Off to the branch bank. OK, copies of all documents, bank books, sign all pages. That now will be submitted to the District Manager, who will in turn submit all to Bangkok. Should hear back within another month. TIT. Yes, I accepted doing all as a friend but … I do recommend having an Attorney draw up the Will, he made the Court appointment, acted as translator for my testimony in English, accompanied me to the Bank. Hopefully, his time will no longer be required until I sell the Condo and the final inheritance payment is sent to Australia.

[WDSmart]

I do this for my Thai wife, even though my bank account is only in my name, which Immigration requires to use it to get one-year stay extensions. I give her the right to withdraw money from it over the counter at the bank. To do this, you have to have their signature recorded on your account. At least this works for my savings account at Krungthai (Ayudhya) Bank.

[parallelman]

If you have only one benificiary then it would be easy to make the Will at the local Amphur office. See AN forum Creating a Last Will and Testament at an Amphur office April 8 2024.

[khunPer]

Make a last will and sign it in the local ampor-office, it's not that difficult...

 

 

 

[worrab]

4 hours ago, Surasak said:

Personally I wouldn't use a Thai lawyer to write my will. I walked away from two, who insisted they had to be the executor. I might be cabbage looking, but I'm not green.

There is no reason you cannot write your own Will, and have it witnessed. Just ensure the bank books are not given to the police, no matter what they threaten.

Using a reputable lawyer actually makes sense. A will needs to be in Thai as well as English. We had to ask if our lawyer could be an executor alongside family members. The reason being that the banks have to be seen regarding the accounts and applications have to be made to the courts for the release of money from the accounts. There are other considerations a Thai lawyer is more able to do than you as a farang.

Yes, you can do it yourself but you will be leaving a minefield behind you for others to sort out! 
My wife and I did it this way to make life a damn sight easier for our son. Everything is in black and white and will be easy to go through probate.

[soi3eddie]

Be sure to ask any lawyer the cost of executing the will and getting probate. I was told that probate is required by the lawyer but don't know for sure. I visited a lawyer and was quoted 5,000 Baht for the Thai Will. I asked the cost of probate and was told 150,000 Baht. I wrote it down. Still have it. Can that really be correct? If not then what is the process as I need to do a will for my Thai bank accounts.

 

[OneManShow]

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

Be sure to ask any lawyer the cost of executing the will and getting probate. I was told that probate is required by the lawyer but don't know for sure. I visited a lawyer and was quoted 5,000 Baht for the Thai Will. I asked the cost of probate and was told 150,000 Baht. I wrote it down. Still have it. Can that really be correct? If not then what is the process as I need to do a will for my Thai bank accounts.

 

IMO Lawyer perhaps will be needed when beneficiary/beneficiaries are not Thai. Otherwise what "Khun per" suggested (a civil documented will) would be the way. 

 

[JimGant]

On 4/25/2025 at 11:58 AM, rasalvaje said:

What is the easiest and most thrifty way to leave it to him

Have the accounts online capable. Also, make sure your friend also has an online account. Establish his account as a transferee of your accounts -- and do a trial transfer, as this will satisfy the OTP requirement. Give your friend the logon particulars of your accounts (or tell him where this info can be found upon your death).

 

And, you'll need a Will with your friend as sole beneficiary of your Thai bank accounts. This isn't needed for anything other than establishing that there are no other beneficiary claimants to your bank assets; just makes things above board in the highly unlikely chance your friend is questioned (why and by whom -- I don't know; the bank doesn't keep track of client obituaries, so activity in these accounts would go unnoticed.) And, of course, having a Will would be necessary, in the unlikely event matters somehow end up in probate.... (again, unlikely).

 

Win, win. You can do you own Will for free, using one of the many templates available. And your money is speedily given to the sole beneficiary, saving many months of probate time plus six figures in probate expenses.

 

The only aggrieved party is the lawyer mafia, denied their ridiculous fee, because they've lobbied Thailand to NOT have "pay on death" procedures, to pass on financial assets without a Will or probate. Screw them.

 

Oh, this also works, should you be in a coma in the hospital and your friend can tap your accounts, as needed. And when you croak, remind your friend to leave a little bit in each account and certainly not try to close these accounts. Attention by bank staff not wanted.

[crazykopite]

Absolute nightmare only way around is to make your friend a joint account holder I’m speaking from experience !

[crazykopite]

2 hours ago, JimGant said:

Have the accounts online capable. Also, make sure your friend also has an online account. Establish his account as a transferee of your accounts -- and do a trial transfer, as this will satisfy the OTP requirement. Give your friend the logon particulars of your accounts (or tell him where this info can be found upon your death).

 

And, you'll need a Will with your friend as sole beneficiary of your Thai bank accounts. This isn't needed for anything other than establishing that there are no other beneficiary claimants to your bank assets; just makes things above board in the highly unlikely chance your friend is questioned (why and by whom -- I don't know; the bank doesn't keep track of client obituaries, so activity in these accounts would go unnoticed.) And, of course, having a Will would be necessary, in the unlikely event matters somehow end up in probate.... (again, unlikely).

 

Win, win. You can do you own Will for free, using one of the many templates available. And your money is speedily given to the sole beneficiary, saving many months of probate time plus six figures in probate expenses.

 

The only aggrieved party is the lawyer mafia, denied their ridiculous fee, because they've lobbied Thailand to NOT have "pay on death" procedures, to pass on financial assets without a Will or probate. Screw them.

 

Oh, this also works, should you be in a coma in the hospital and your friend can tap your accounts, as needed. And when you croak, remind your friend to leave a little bit in each account and certainly not try to close these accounts. Attention by bank staff not wanted.

 

[crazykopite]

I’ve been there worn the T shirt even with a will staying your the beneficery the banks won’t release any money they will only release it on a court order confirming the details in the will so you need a solicitor to act on your behalf the best way is to have the person you wish to benefit from your money is by having them as a joint account holder either that or you give them your bank card atm number and they can withdraw the money however if they were found out that could be classed as theft of a deceased persons bank account the simplest way is to have a joint account so you can both withdraw the monies in the account 

[kwak250]

Get your friend to open a bank account and keep the book/card for now and when the time comes it will all be in his name 

[offset]

14 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

Get your friend to open a bank account and keep the book/card for now and when the time comes it will all be in his name 

Becareful with that he can always get a new book anytime using his passport and a lost report from the police

[KhunLA]

Don't need a lawyer, just download a fill in the blanks Thai will.  Take to Amphur office, witness & file.  Cost <150 baht if memory serves.

 

Here's one below, and surly others are available:

 

https://www.thailandlawonline.com/thailand-last-will-template/view-document

[rough diamond]

If you really love the person you are leaving your savings to it surely makes sense to minimise any risks to them getting that money and use a proper lawyer!

My partner arranged for my will to be drawn up by a lawyer relation of a friend.  No idea of costs as she paid for it (if any) and seems happy as Larry!

 

PS;  I did ask for a cluse to be add wrt if any suspicious circumstances were found but they declined for some reason.

[JimGant]

2 hours ago, crazykopite said:

I’ve been there worn the T shirt even with a will staying your the beneficery the banks won’t release any money

Initiating an online transfer doesn't require bank involvement.

[mrwebb8825]

On 4/24/2025 at 11:58 PM, rasalvaje said:

I have accounts in two banks here in Thailand.  I am in my 80s and would like to leave the contents of those accounts to a Thai friend, who has always helped with visas  banks, doctors and hospitals for many years.  What is the easiest and most thrifty way to leave it to him after I am gone?  Thank you for your help!

Go to the banks with him and add him as beneficiary. In the states it's called a TOD

[JimGant]

23 minutes ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Go to the banks with him and add him as beneficiary. In the states it's called a TOD

Not allowed in Thailand.

[ChaiyaTH]

If you setup recurring monthly payments to for example a partner, it would just continue until the account runs dry.. Easy solution. I have the same for my Thai sim cards, to be topped up and stay active automatically.

 

Is kind of a lot easier solution in case there is not much other than that to have to deal with (real estate etc). In theory it could even be a friend receiving the funds to return them each month, as long you are still alive.

[NE1]

It's the bank account with 800,000 needed for the retirement extension that is my problem. 

It has to be in my name alone , so I did a will at the amphur just for this account.

The other normal account is in joint names.