6 hours ago, actonion said:

14 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

...until there is a problem at which stage the thief faces a possible jail sentence.

6 hours ago, actonion said:

14 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Irrelevant even if it was in writing. 

How do  you know this?

Transactions cannot legally be made on the sole account of a deceased person by a third party without probate/administration.  How I know that to be factual is irrelevant.

4 hours ago, 5davidhen1 said:

POAs and co-signers' authority both DIE (expire) with the death of the individual.

Is that true? I am asking because in my home-country they do not expire with the death of the individual.  I am not sure about Thai law.

Does anybody know 

- what Thai law says? (There are answers in this thread from SCB and BBL)

- how these situations are in fact handled in Thailand? (As someone posted,  I have never heard of people being prosecuted in these situations)

16 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.

Powers of Attorney cease on the death of the donor.

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Powers of Attorney cease on the death of the donor.

 

The bank manager we dealt with advised that they would honor the terms of the POA until formally notified of the death, which would leave the beneficiary plenty of time to make the necessary transfer(s).

 

Keep in mind, there's no department of the Thai government or Thai police or hospitals that run around contacting banks every time a farang dies in Thailand. It's a drawn out process that starts with the police and doctor/hospital, and then onward to the person's embassy, which ultimately issues their version of a death certificate.

 

AFAIK, none of those entities have any reason to know or be concerned with what Thai banks a particular farang decedent may hold accounts with.

 

 

10 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Powers of Attorney cease on the death of the donor.

Not in continental European law.

You state this as if you definitely know this.  May I ask for the source of your knowledge?

I am a Canadian living with my Thai girlfriend here in Thailand. We are not married. I bank with Bangkok Bank and had no problem adding her as joint account holder with our rental contract showing both our names. 
I also have 2 wills. One in Canada that covers my Canadian assets and people there, and one here in Thailand that covers my assets and people here. This is 💯 % legal and was recommended by both lawyers in each Country. 

6 hours ago, Lorry said:

Not in continental European law.

You state this as if you definitely know this.  May I ask for the source of your knowledge?

MY source was a bank official at Lloyds bank in the UK.

7 hours ago, Lorry said:

Not in continental European law.

You state this as if you definitely know this.  May I ask for the source of your knowledge?

 

 

Yes they do.

 

All mandates cease on death....... 

 

 

(My source is my knowledge and experience in 30+ years in the banking industry  - plus my ability to Google to confirm that I am right).

 

https://rochelegal.co.uk/what-happens-to-a-lasting-power-of-attorney-when-someone-dies/

Bank accounts and brokerage accounts in the US can be designated to be Payable on Death (POD) or Transfer on Death (TOD). This is legal in almost every state. The funds will transfer to the designated beneficiaries upon proof of death. POD/TOD takes precedence over a will and does not have to go through probate.

 

I assume that if a will contradicts the POD/TOD designated beneficiaries it would open a can of worms though. When I had my will made the lawyer made no mention of bank or brokerage accounts to avoid any conflict. Same with Thai assets, no mention in my US will and was advised to make a separate will in Thailand for Thai assets.

 

I think this has been brought up before and is not available in Thailand unfortunately

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.

 

On your account to satisfy immigration she can be placed on the account but her name will not appear in the bank book , but it will show on record and her signature will show unner the black light screen . Its some affidavit you fill out and cost 200 baht . She then can withdraw funds but can not close out the account . You would be leaving yourself open but sounds like thats not an issue for your situation .

Just now, BB1955 said:

On your account to satisfy immigration she can be placed on the account but her name will not appear in the bank book , but it will show on record and her signature will show unner the black light screen . Its some affidavit you fill out and cost 200 baht . She then can withdraw funds but can not close out the account . You would be leaving yourself open but sounds like thats not an issue for your situation . I was able to do this at Bangkok bank for my wife . Girlfriend I dont know if you could but can ask  

 

Is it possible to open a joint account with her from your foreign bank?

Wow, I've read the majority of responses and I would advise do NOT but much value in the info.

 

None of the replies have been from Executors of a friend/associate who has passed in Thailand?

 

Where are the responses about information that Lawyers  provided, (People who actually complete this process) on a regular basis?

 

I have read some decent advice.  I would counter with how has your girlfriend/partner managed any larger sums of money you gifted them?

My fear is the money that could potentially help, benefit others and her family, would be wasted foolishly in a short time.

 

I'm just beginning to look into the possibility of setting up an investment account, maybe some type of trust, that pays X% every X amount of time.  I believe the benefits are greater for everyone and the risk of it being foolishly wasted in a short time frame would be reduced substantially.

 

Don't mean to be harsh with the early comments but I believe the potential value of benefit of transferring an amount of money that would take most Thais Years to earn needs a solid, detailed, low risk strategy and plan. 

 

 

2 hours ago, 5davidhen1 said:

MY source was a bank official at Lloyds bank in the UK.

UK has never been continental European, as I said, and even doesn't consider themselves to be a part of Europe (I guess they think as a province of India they are an Asian country?)

 

UK/AngloSaxon law systems and European systems are very different. 

Japan copied French and German laws, later Taiwan and China followed. 

About Thai laws, I just don't know enough. 

2 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Yes they do.

 

All mandates cease on death....... 

 

 

(My source is my knowledge and experience in 30+ years in the banking industry  - plus my ability to Google to confirm that I am right).

 

https://rochelegal.co.uk/what-happens-to-a-lasting-power-of-attorney-when-someone-dies/

See my latest post.

Your ability to google impeded your ability to realize theRE exist different countries in this world,  not only the UK

On 7/11/2025 at 8:37 AM, 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.

 

Your best option is to make a last will in Thailand – it's pretty easy and you can do it withour a lawyer; however, it might be prefarred to have one to do it for you – stating that you wish to leave the balance of your bank account, or all your belongings in Thailand, to your girlfriend. You'll need to include her ID-number in thge will, which has to be signed by two witnesses. There is at present no inheritance tax in Thailand for smaller amounts; i.e., less than 100 million baht.

 

Book page from the book: "Thai Law for Foreigners"...

 

Thai lawyers advise to make two wills. One in one's home country, Britain, for your belongings there – preferably following the home country's law, check if there is any legal minimum inheritance percentage for children – and another in Thailand for your belongs here. Normally, it will be a court in the country of primary residence that will handle the estate; so, if you primarary live in Thailand, your estate might, or will, be handled by a Thai court.

I arranged my succession while I am still alive without making a will. In fact, I bought a house and an apartment in the name of my Thai partner with whom I have been living for nearly 30 years, and I added the name of our adult son as a co-owner of my bank account.

1 hour ago, Lorry said:

See my latest post.

Your ability to google impeded your ability to realize theRE exist different countries in this world,  not only the UK

 

 

...and Thai law was based on French....for which you can read UK..

 

 

 

ALL mandates cease on death in Thailand.....................and every other country in which I have mandates.

Meanwhile, my Thai wife has significantly more money in her Thai bank accounts than I have in mine. (I have more abroad).

57 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Thai law was based on French....for which you can read UK..

I tried to tell you that French law (eg code civil) and UK law (eg common law) are pretty much the opposite of each other.  Its obviously hopeless.

 

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

every other country

This ain't Kansas

I am under the impression that there is no equivalent account relationship in Thailand to he US JTROS (joint tenants with right of survivorship) accounts whereby the surviving a/c holder automatically gets ownership without having to go through the courts or taxing authorities.

 

Can anyone suggest an alternative?  Is there a maximum amount the might avoid the paperwork/delays when one owner passes?

Thanks! 

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

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

I have never found any problems with doing this: have had many such joint accounts over the years/decades. 

On 7/12/2025 at 12:20 AM, Puccini said:

Therefore, your post is nice helpful.

Nice? Or Helpful? Or nicely helpful ??? 

On 7/13/2025 at 1:43 PM, Rotweiler said:

a hidden co-signee.

Does anyone know more about this?
Please explain what is and how it works! 

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

 Normally, it will be a court in the country of primary residence that will handle the estate; so, if you primarary live in Thailand, your estate might, or will, be handled by a Thai court.

 

One thing I've never been clear on in this area is.... does a Thai probate court have any real jurisdiction (control) over assets located outside of Thailand?

 

My sense of that is NO, but I can't say I've ever seen any clear / authoritative legal opinion on that.

 

But it also seems to fit with the notion of having two different wills, one done under Thai law for Thai assets, and the other under home country law for home country assets. 

 

The requirements for a legally valid Thai will are almost certainly going to be different from those in people's home countries, and Thai courts/judges almost certainly are not going to be familiar with the probate requirements and what is required for a valid will in multitudes of foreign jurisdictions.... Nor, AFAIK, would a Thai probate court's rulings alone have any legal force there.

 

On 7/14/2025 at 1:48 PM, DrJack54 said:

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

Reference to this, please Dr! 

On 7/14/2025 at 3:09 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

How I know that to be factual is irrelevant.

Not to us, it is not!  Go on, tell us all your sordid secrets! 

On 7/14/2025 at 3:22 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

Powers of Attorney cease on the death of the donor.

Yours may. But does this happen the world over?? 

11 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

One thing I've never been clear on in this area is.... does a Thai probate court have any real jurisdiction (control) over assets located outside of Thailand?

 

My sense of that is NO, but I can't say I've ever seen any clear / authoritative legal opinion on that.

 

But it also seems to fit with the notion of having two different wills, one done under Thai law for Thai assets, and the other under home country law for home country assets. 

 

The requirements for a legally valid Thai will are almost certainly going to be different from those in people's home countries, and Thai courts/judges almost certainly are not going to be familiar with the probate requirements and what is required for a valid will in multitudes of foreign jurisdictions.... Nor, AFAIK, would a Thai probate court's rulings alone have any legal force there.

 

 

Do Thai probate court rulings control assets outside of Thailand?