8 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

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?

For using money in bank method there is no requirement for funds from abroad. 

For income method (retirement) funds must be international monthly transfers. 

8 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

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 ?     

8 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

 

That's exactly how it works. 

 

10 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

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

Most will say she can withdraw the funds. I'm not so sure. 

 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Most will say she can withdraw the funds. I'm not so sure

A quick look on google says not unfortunately  although that was just what the AI spewed out its not Thai specific

 

"Unlike joint owners, a signatory's authority ends upon the account holder's death, and they have no automatic right to the account's funds. 

 

Thought it was too good to be true,  thanks for the quick response though

No idea how old you are. Why don't you marry her? That will lower your immigration cash by half. Nice. Maybe leave less to her and enjoy spending 400k with her

 

Then get a joint account. Only you have the card.

 

Income method is BS and nothing an old man wants to mess with. Moreover, you want to leave money to her so this really solves nothing in that regard

 

When you are getting really old or ill start offloading cash

 

Don't trust to chance she can offload money after you pass. That's a pipedream and huge risk.

 

Nothing guaranteed but if married far less risk. 

 

If you F it up the government gets the money not your gf

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

I do NOT wish to remarry and, it would only serve to muddy the water further regarding inheritance.

 

 

I don't see why it should. You can leave all your assets to who ever you please. True a spouse left out of a will may have grounds to challenge a will but as long as the spouse is taken care a challenge will most likely fail. eg if the spouse already has a house and cash then nothing wrong with leaving all your UK assets to your family. Watch inheritence tax though. If you are over the limit might be worth marrying her then she get hers tax free other wise the Government takes 40%. Is it in 2 years time remaining pension pots become an asset for tax? That with a house and other assets might push your estate into inheritance tax territory.

38 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

A quick look on google says not unfortunately  although that was just what the AI spewed out its not Thai specific

 

"Unlike joint owners, a signatory's authority ends upon the account holder's death, and they have no automatic right to the account's funds. 

 

Thought it was too good to be true,  thanks for the quick response though

 

The Bank wont know when I die, the wife sill still be able to take the money out

5 minutes ago, proton said:

 

The Bank wont know when I die, the wife sill still be able to take the money out

As long as she does it PDQ!

PS;  Might have to do it quickly anyway just to pay the funeral etc!

52 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

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"    

 

WOW! One of those "brought up correctly" appears to have given you a 'thumbs down'...... the truth obviously upset him.

8 hours ago, Rotweiler said:

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.

 

 I believe what you're referring to is the Thai version of what they call "power of attorney" on a bank account, which requires filling out the requisite form at the bank branch holding your account, and the beneficiary signing it as well along with presenting her Thai ID.

 

That what my Thai wife have done with the Krungsri Bank account that holds my 800K retirement extension deposit, at the suggestion of the bank branch manager there.

 

For starters, the power of attorney designation does not appear in any visible way on the bank passbook. So for Immigration purposes, it remains solely an account in my name only as an individual account.

 

But behind the scenes, the power of attorney designation (prior to the point the bank is officially notified of my death) gives my beneficiary / my wife full legal access to and control of the account. And she knows that she should quickly transfer the funds from my account to hers using her POA status before the bank is notified of my death.

 

According to the bank branch manager, AFTER the bank is formally notified of my death, my wife would then only be able to access half of any funds remaining in the account at that point (assuming there were any funds still remaining), but the other half would have to await the resolution of Thai probate.

 

 

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

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

Joint account not allowed. 

 

Jack, I haven't kept up with the issue of joint accounts for retirement extension deposits regarding Thai Immigration.

 

But I thought there was a time in the past when Immigration, or at least some offices, would allow joint accounts for retirement extension purposes as long as the total joint account deposit was double the required 800K, meaning, 1.6 million.

 

I don't know if that notion still is accepted or not by Thai Immigration these days.

 

6 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

A quick look on google says not unfortunately  although that was just what the AI spewed out its not Thai specific

 

"Unlike joint owners, a signatory's authority ends upon the account holder's death, and they have no automatic right to the account's funds. 

 

Thought it was too good to be true,  thanks for the quick response though

Still much better than giving an ATM card. The card can be damaged, the pin lost and so on. I knew a Thai/foreigner couple, the guy had a major accident and was incapacitated. The girl had his card but he couldn't remember the pin. Eventually he got evacuated and the girl was left empty handed. He had nearly 1 mil in the bank, not sure what happened with his money, as he wasn't dead, but not functioning mentally either.

On 7/11/2025 at 1:55 PM, TimBKK said:

upon your demise, she could transfer funds to her account

Illegal, that is theft/fraud if done after the account holder's death.

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

Bad advice, theft is 100% illegal.

11 hours 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

He doesn't have the authority to allow transactions on his account after his death, that's how.

11 hours ago, norsurin said:

11 hours 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?

Irrelevant even if it was in writing. 

10 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

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

Still illegal and there would be issues if anyone else put in a claim on the estate.

23 hours ago, Lorry said:

Here is Bangkok Bank's answer: a cashier check doesn't expire. 

 

Anyway,  if you fear it might not be honored after many years,  you can always cash it from time to time and buy a new one.  20 minutes,  20 baht.

The older a cashier check, the longer the delay in redeeming it.  Whether or not there is a stale date risk (I believe that there is, despite what someone might see on the internet), the fact is that it is a liquid asset. It can be lost, stolen or irreparably damaged, I do not believe that it is prudent to leave large amounts of "cash" lying around.

 

The first step is to  inventory the assets that are to be distributed. The next step is to visit a qualified lawyer to draw up a Thai law compliant will, and to have it registered. The estate administrator must also be decided upon. Remember that it can take 4-6 months to obtain a court Final disposition judgement, so money should be set aside to cover funeral expenses, and living expenses for a year to address potential delays. Nothing stops you from creating a cashable bank investment in your girlfriend's name as an interim measure. 

 

21 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

someone might see on the internet

Did I say I saw it on the internet?

I didn't. 

I asked BBL.

And I did something like that. Worked very well. For a couple of 100,000s, and a limited time frame (like a year), any other solution - like what you suggest - is not practicable. Way too much trouble. And the expenses will eat the principal.  

 

I would do it differently if it's many million baht ( @TallGuyJohninBKK sounds good). And if OP is just looking for a solution for his eventual death in 10, 20 or 50 years,  in that case the whole thread doesn't make sense. 

 

In any case,  and whatever solution,  for sums like OP's sums, I would keep the Thai judicial system out of it - as has been said by another poster. 

It will be a lot of effort,  very expensive,  and in the end,  the bureaucrats and lawyers will cheat the girl out of her money.

 

Uneducated, poor Thai girls always lose against the vultures,  be it Thai bureaucrats or lawyers from our home-countries. I have seen both.  Keep them out.

 

 

 

The biggest risk would migth be letting ur gf/wife know that she will get alot of money the day u die.

Many foreigners dying in suspect ways and places.

3 hours ago, norsurin said:

The biggest risk would migth be letting ur gf/wife know that she will get alot of money the day u die.

Many foreigners dying in suspect ways and places.

 

Commenting on the trustworthiness of Thai people, especially those you do not know, is not advice, it's just your opinion.

8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Irrelevant even if it was in writing. 

How do  you know this?

8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

He doesn't have the authority to allow transactions on his account after his death, that's how.

It happens, and no problems

8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Bad advice, theft is 100% illegal.

So is running a Red light illegal in Thailand

19 hours 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.

Hardly likely police will catch her.......you worry too much 

Thanks once again to all respondents.

I have made my decision. I'm agreeing with Dr Jack and will begin a transition to the income method, eventually transferring the capital in my a/c to my girlfriend's own a/c. She IS 100% trustworthy --- there will be NO problems in that area.

To the person who suggested marriage: This would cause inheritance problems for my two children in the UK. I have NO desire to do that.

To the people who have talked about POAs and being a co-signer to an account, I caution the following:

Unlike a joint a/c holder, POAs and co-signers' authority both DIE (expire) with the death of the individual. One cannot be a co-signer to a deceased person's a/c!

 

Just now, 5davidhen1 said:

Thanks once again to all respondents.

I have made my decision. I'm agreeing with Dr Jack and will begin a transition to the income method, eventually transferring the capital in my a/c to my girlfriend's own a/c. She IS 100% trustworthy --- there will be NO problems in that area.

To the person who suggested marriage: This would cause inheritance problems for my two children in the UK. I have NO desire to do that.

To the people who have talked about POAs and being a co-signer to an account, I caution the following:

Unlike a joint a/c holder, POAs and co-signers' authority both DIE (expire) with the death of the individual. One cannot be a co-signer to a deceased person's a/c!

 

 

Best of luck.

13 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

 I believe what you're referring to is the Thai version of what they call "power of attorney" on a bank account, which requires filling out the requisite form at the bank branch holding your account, and the beneficiary signing it as well along with presenting her Thai ID.

 

That what my Thai wife have done with the Krungsri Bank account that holds my 800K retirement extension deposit, at the suggestion of the bank branch manager there.

 

For starters, the power of attorney designation does not appear in any visible way on the bank passbook. So for Immigration purposes, it remains solely an account in my name only as an individual account.

 

But behind the scenes, the power of attorney designation (prior to the point the bank is officially notified of my death) gives my beneficiary / my wife full legal access to and control of the account. And she knows that she should quickly transfer the funds from my account to hers using her POA status before the bank is notified of my death.

 

According to the bank branch manager, AFTER the bank is formally notified of my death, my wife would then only be able to access half of any funds remaining in the account at that point (assuming there were any funds still remaining), but the other half would have to await the resolution of Thai probate.

 

 

 

 

So who will be informing them of death? Why waste months and the large costs to lawyers for probate, just dont tell the bank anything

1 hour ago, 5davidhen1 said:

Thanks once again to all respondents.

I have made my decision. I'm agreeing with Dr Jack and will begin a transition to the income method, eventually transferring the capital in my a/c to my girlfriend's own a/c. She IS 100% trustworthy --- there will be NO problems in that area.

To the person who suggested marriage: This would cause inheritance problems for my two children in the UK. I have NO desire to do that.

To the people who have talked about POAs and being a co-signer to an account, I caution the following:

Unlike a joint a/c holder, POAs and co-signers' authority both DIE (expire) with the death of the individual. One cannot be a co-signer to a deceased person's a/c!

 

 

But the Bank wont know you have died, so she can still take money out, it's just a legal technicality which says she cannot.

On 7/12/2025 at 2:49 AM, DrJack54 said:

OP, why not use income method for immigration financial requirements. 

Some poor advice (IMO) in this thread. 

Since it seems that your only assets is the money in your bank then using incocome method will solve the problem

Not married she cannot be signatory on your bank account. 

You could make a Thai will separate from your home country Will (messy) 

Do not rely on her accessing your bank account after you pass. Illegal. 

 

     Making a Thai Will separate from a home country Will need not be 'messy'.   Many farangs do both and usually making a Thai Will is a straightforward process, listing specific assets in Thailand, directing what should be done with them, and who should be in charge of this, as the Executor, which is often someone also in Thailand.  The Wills often also have specific instructions as to a funeral and, or, what is to be done with the deceased, and who should be notified of the death.  

1 hour ago, newnative said:

   Making a Thai Will separate from a home country Will need not be 'messy'

Great. Go for it. 

I outlined an option for OP mainly due to that's it's cash only. 

He has couple of easy options that avoids need for a Thai Will. 

To each their own. 

As for funeral etc... That's also easy. Current thread running on that. 

6 hours ago, actonion said:

14 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Bad advice, theft is 100% illegal.

So is running a Red light illegal in Thailand

So?