On 7/12/2025 at 2:28 AM, norsurin said:

If i had fex a thai gf and i died my embassy will get notified right away.About my kids in my country they will get all i had.Money..properties etc.Thats the law.My thai gf wouldn't get anything.Be aware if u die and she use ur ATM card after she will be in big trouble the day they find out that.There been some cases that the foreigner have died and the thai wife not noticed the embassy and still receive pension from the decided get arrested.

In this days its not easy to do like that.The thai police will notify ur embassy and they take it from there.

 

 

 

What do you think that the embassy will actually do?

On 7/11/2025 at 1:50 PM, Will B Good said:

Boyfriend and Girlfriend (Unmarried Couples)

 

Thai banks generally do not allow joint accounts for unmarried couples, especially if both are foreigners.

Some exceptions may be made case-by-case if:

One person is Thai

You can show long-term residency or co-ownership of property

The bank manager approves it locally (policy varies by branch)

 

📌 Alternative:

One partner opens a single account and adds the other as a co-signer or gives power of attorney (not available at all banks).

Use mutual access via mobile banking and cards — though this is informal and lacks legal joint ownership.

UOB does joint banks accounts

On 7/12/2025 at 3:31 AM, actonion said:

I have a similar situation with my live in partner and  amount of money in the bank..

 

The lady at the Siam Commercial Bank said it normally takes a few days  before the Bank account is frozen after the account holder dies, so her suggestion was  to go to the ATM and change your daily withdrawl amounts to any amount you wish, as long as the partner has your PIN number she can go to the ATM and withdraw amounts u previously specified, after your death, it shouldnt take long to get most of the money out

Thats stealing a dead mans money!!!

I dont believe a lady in a bank give that advice.

A friend has a joint account with his girlfriend at Bangkok Bank. She can take 50% at any time and the other 50% with certificate of inheritance which to get may take a while.

14 minutes ago, willi2006 said:

A friend has a joint account with his girlfriend at Bangkok Bank. She can take 50% at any time and the other 50% with certificate of inheritance which to get may take a while.

The OP is looking for option that meets his financial compliance for extensions retirement. 

Joint account not allowed. 

On 7/12/2025 at 1:32 AM, Kinnock said:

Not sure if my approach to a similar situation is foolproof, but I had wills made in Thai and English by a local lawyer, registered them with the district office, and appointed a relative in the UK who is not a beneficiary as the Executer.  His role would be to explain my wishes in relation to any enquiries in the UK.

 

 

There is nothing to stop a beneficiary from  being  an executor,  I think you are confusing witnesses with executors , A witness cannot be a beneficiary but an Executor can

Sorry, but all this scheming and useless advice from members over a lousy 1.-something mil in......lol, Thai baht???

 

 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

The OP is looking for option that meets his financial compliance for extensions retirement. 

Joint account not allowed. 

I know this won't apply to the OP as he's not married  But would a partial solution for somebody on a marriage extension not be to keep their funds in either  the wife's account,  or a joint  account that she can access after ones death for most of the year, and then only  transfer the 400,000 into ones own account   when applying for the extension,  Once the extension is approved transfer the cash back to the account she can access if one dies. ? Its not perfect as most of us won't know when our time is up but 9 or 10  months out of 12 isn't bad odds

6 minutes ago, Sandboxer said:

Sorry, but all this scheming and useless advice from members over a lousy 1.-something mil in......lol, Thai baht???

 

 

Better just to die and leave them penniless then in your opinion,  Quite often when a person dies there is a hospital bill to settle up along with all the other expenses, how would a widowed  partner now  pay for that without access to money ?

22 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Once the extension is approved transfer the cash back to the account she can access if one dies.

That's exactly what I would do if married. 

As you point out having the 400k in bank account in your name for only couple of months is a good bet. 

Also married guys should be aware that its an option to have wife as signatory on your bank account. 

Works for immigration. 

Not possible for a gf

On 7/11/2025 at 1:37 PM, 5davidhen1 said:

Hi folks, I wonder if anyone has any knowledge of the following:

My family back in the UK are well taken care of and are aware that I wish that any assets remaining in Thailand after my death are to become the inheritance of my girlfriend --- they are quite content with this and will inherit much from my UK investments. For various reasons, I do NOT wish to remarry and, it would only serve to muddy the water further regarding inheritance.

My girlfriend is quite content to receive the cash in my Bangkok bank account which usually contains somewhere between 900-1,400,000 baht, which I use for day-to-day banking and to satisfy immigration when renewing my annual extension of stay. 

I have contacted Bangkok bank and here I paraphrase their response: Even with a notarized will they require several other documents prior to releasing funds to any beneficiary. Moreover, the aforementioned documents have to first be sent to my embassy for "scrutiny." I suspect that this point means they will want to contact the authorities in the UK in order to check for any other beneficiaries, adding more delay and expense. Basically, it gets very messy and complex.

I don't really want to join an account with my girlfriend since, I am aware that immigration will insist on doubling the required account balance which isn't the best option from an investment point of view. 

Would making my girlfriend a "signatory" to the account resolve this issue, or, upon my demise, would BBL still insist on all of the aforementioned rigmarole?

I'm sure that some members would have heard of similar occurrences, but not personal experience obviously --- or they would be dead!

Thanks in advance to any and all suggestions.

 

you will not get good answers to your question here, why not contact a lawyer and seek legal advise

2 hours ago, norsurin said:

Thats stealing a dead mans money!!!

I dont believe a lady in a bank give that advice.

How is it stealing a dead mans money when the man gave the pin number to his partner to withdraw after his death if there is no alternative ?,.. I dont lie, up to u believe it or not,  your problem

Going down the "If she's trustworty..." route, whether married or not, and you have been together for a long time with you thinking of just opening her an account in her name to avoid all the hassle, then open one which is in her name but has no ATM card and only a bank book... then hold onto the bank book yourself and each month deposit money into her account (tell her it's for her future), or if you get notice of your upcoming demise, then transfer more. I can't imagine a long-term trustworthy partner being anything other than content with that arrangement, plus you maintain a degree of control over the situation. Just an idea that ran past me sometime... key factor is the word "trustworthy" obviously though.

On 7/11/2025 at 1:37 PM, 5davidhen1 said:

Hi folks, I wonder if anyone has any knowledge of the following:

My family back in the UK are well taken care of and are aware that I wish that any assets remaining in Thailand after my death are to become the inheritance of my girlfriend --- they are quite content with this and will inherit much from my UK investments. For various reasons, I do NOT wish to remarry and, it would only serve to muddy the water further regarding inheritance.

My girlfriend is quite content to receive the cash in my Bangkok bank account which usually contains somewhere between 900-1,400,000 baht, which I use for day-to-day banking and to satisfy immigration when renewing my annual extension of stay. 

I have contacted Bangkok bank and here I paraphrase their response: Even with a notarized will they require several other documents prior to releasing funds to any beneficiary. Moreover, the aforementioned documents have to first be sent to my embassy for "scrutiny." I suspect that this point means they will want to contact the authorities in the UK in order to check for any other beneficiaries, adding more delay and expense. Basically, it gets very messy and complex.

I don't really want to join an account with my girlfriend since, I am aware that immigration will insist on doubling the required account balance which isn't the best option from an investment point of view. 

Would making my girlfriend a "signatory" to the account resolve this issue, or, upon my demise, would BBL still insist on all of the aforementioned rigmarole?

I'm sure that some members would have heard of similar occurrences, but not personal experience obviously --- or they would be dead!

Thanks in advance to any and all suggestions.

 

Of course you are.

So

14 minutes ago, actonion said:

How is it stealing a dead mans money when the man gave the pin number to his partner to withdraw after his death if there is no alternative ?,.. I dont lie, up to u believe it or not,  your problem

So if the police catch her does she have the proof on a written statement?For all they know she steal the card and find the pin someway.

4 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

Going down the "If she's trustworty..." route, whether married or not, and you have been together for a long time with you thinking of just opening her an account in her name to avoid all the hassle, then open one which is in her name but has no ATM card and only a bank book... then hold onto the bank book yourself and each month deposit money into her account (tell her it's for her future), or if you get notice of your upcoming demise, then transfer more. I can't imagine a long-term trustworthy partner being anything other than content with that arrangement, plus you maintain a degree of control over the situation. Just an idea that ran past me sometime... key factor is the word "trustworthy" obviously though.

Right.Should be easier to transfer to her account.Why take the risk of letting her use ur ATM cards?

 

On 7/11/2025 at 7:37 AM, 5davidhen1 said:

Moreover, the aforementioned documents have to first be sent to my embassy for "scrutiny." I suspect that this point means they will want to contact the authorities in the UK in order to check for any other beneficiaries, adding more delay and expense.

I want to do the same for my Thai partner and  about 6 months ago before I went into hospital for a procedure I contacted the UK embassy in Thailand and they have made "a note" in a file at the embassy about my wishes that my Thai girlfriend is my chosen next of kin and the beneficiary of my Thai will - they also are aware that my UK will leaves everything to her and they have the name of my UK solicitors (Scotland) 

The embassy were very helpful and everything was done by email.

On 7/11/2025 at 7:50 AM, Will B Good said:

Thai banks generally do not allow joint accounts for unmarried couples, especially if both are foreigners.

Some exceptions may be made case-by-case if:

One person is Thai

You can show long-term residency or co-ownership of property

The bank manager approves it locally (policy varies by branch)

I have at least 2 joint accounts with my Thai partner (not wife).

There is another option that avoids the inheritance courts completely.  I KNOW it is possible at the Bangkok Bank, probably at others as well; a hidden co-signee.  Talk to your Bank branch clerk or manager about it.  100% legal, no problems with Immigration.

12 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

I want to do the same for my Thai partner and  about 6 months ago before I went into hospital for a procedure I contacted the UK embassy in Thailand and they have made "a note" in a file at the embassy about my wishes that my Thai girlfriend is my chosen next of kin and the beneficiary of my Thai will - they also are aware that my UK will leaves everything to her and they have the name of my UK solicitors (Scotland) 

The embassy were very helpful and everything was done by email.

 

 

I am not sure what you expect from the embassy once you pass.

 

 

"Nothing"....is what to expect.

 

They will do nothing (other than record the death and provide release papers to the hospital for the next of kin. A court order will still likely be required, to 'prove' the Will, before any bank pays out.

28 minutes ago, norsurin said:

So

So if the police catch her does she have the proof on a written statement?For all they know she steal the card and find the pin someway.

 

 

Can you show one (just one) case where someone was prosecuted for such a heinous crime?

3 hours ago, norsurin said:

Thats stealing a dead mans money!!!

I dont believe a lady in a bank give that advice.

It's good advice.  TIT

3 hours ago, norsurin said:

Thats stealing a dead mans money!!!

I dont believe a lady in a bank give that advice.

 

 

What do you think the Thais do?

 

 

 

On 7/11/2025 at 1:50 PM, Will B Good said:

Boyfriend and Girlfriend (Unmarried Couples)

 

Thai banks generally do not allow joint accounts for unmarried couples, especially if both are foreigners.

Some exceptions may be made case-by-case if:

One person is Thai

You can show long-term residency or co-ownership of property

The bank manager approves it locally (policy varies by branch)

 

📌 Alternative:

One partner opens a single account and adds the other as a co-signer or gives power of attorney (not available at all banks).

Use mutual access via mobile banking and cards — though this is informal and lacks legal joint ownership.

 

Fourteen years back, at K Bank, Chiang Mai, I opened a joint savings account with my Thai adult son either party can sign / operate the account.

 

I put my foreign pasport on the service clerks desk and my son put his Thai ID card alongside it. Very cursory very quik examination of both documents, only one question, addresssed to both of us 'do you want a debit card?' Son replied No. 

 

All done and out the door in 10 minutes. 

 

 

Just get a proper will and testament written in English and Thai and make sure it witnessed correctly and that the executors are NOT lawers or "professional executors l" because that is asking for trouble. 

40 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

43 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

 

42 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

record the death and provide release papers to the hospital for the next of kin.

42 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

They will do nothing (other than record the death and provide release papers to the hospital for the next of kin.

Part of my post - UK embassy in Thailand and they have made "a note" in a file at the embassy about my wishes that my Thai girlfriend is my chosen next of kin (although I have family in the UK) and the beneficiary of my Thai will. - When I discussed it with them they assured me that my wishes re next of kin would be followed.

So they are doing something - why so negative about the embassy?

 

On 7/12/2025 at 8:31 AM, actonion said:

I have a similar situation with my live in partner and  amount of money in the bank..

 

The lady at the Siam Commercial Bank said it normally takes a few days  before the Bank account is frozen after the account holder dies, so her suggestion was  to go to the ATM and change your daily withdrawl amounts to any amount you wish, as long as the partner has your PIN number she can go to the ATM and withdraw amounts u previously specified, after your death, it shouldnt take long to get most of the money out

Curious to know how the bank would figure out if you died. What if you die outside Thailand? I know people who live outside Thailand but have opened accounts here many years ago. 

 

I have my gf as a signatory of my Krunsri account, but is not for inheritance purposes, we both put money there and she usually has more than me. We haven't tried doing a signatory withdrawal yet, she is using ATM card. 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That's exactly what I would do if married. 

As you point out having the 400k in bank account in your name for only couple of months is a good bet. 

Also married guys should be aware that its an option to have wife as signatory on your bank account. 

Works for immigration. 

Not possible for a gf

        Somewhat rashly I assumed there is no new requirement for the extension funds to originate from abroad. At least  I haven't heard of  any changes Can anybody confirm? 

        So can I make the wife a signatory on my Bangkok Bank standard savings account?  I'm guessing she just makes the invisible signature thing in the passbook  Presumably  she wouldn't be able to have her name printed in the book as that would render it useless for immigration ?     

        Sounds like a joint account in all but name, is there any real difference other than immigration compliance?

      what can she actually do as a signatory?  is she able to withdraw funds after I died? 

       if thats the case I won't need a Will as all I have here is cash in the bank, everything else is in her name I just don't like the thought of 400,000 bt being "untouchable" for what could be months or even years

       Please tell me more, I've got some surgery next monday and I'm trying to tie up a few loose  ends "just in case"

1 hour ago, gearbox said:

Curious to know how the bank would figure out if you died. What if you die outside Thailand? I know people who live outside Thailand but have opened accounts here many years ago. 

 

I have my gf as a signatory of my Krunsri account, but is not for inheritance purposes, we both put money there and she usually has more than me. We haven't tried doing a signatory withdrawal yet, she is using ATM card. 

I don't think they would know anything if you died outside of Thailand  if you're not a Thai citizen there is no need to tell anybody here.  

2 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

What do you think the Thais do?

 

 

 

exactly.  but too many westerners were "brought up correctly" and just can't adapt to life here, continually making problems for themselves by doing what they think is "the right thing"