Advantage And Disadvantage Of Thai Wife Changing Surname?

[universe2000]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. I read a few posts about problems with land and passport issues.

I would like her to use my surname but since we will be living in Thailand, are there issues I am unaware of. Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

Is there a 'best of both worlds' situation where she can use my surname for certain situations.

Thanks for your comments.

[h90]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. I read a few posts about problems with land and passport issues.

I would like her to use my surname but since we will be living in Thailand, are there issues I am unaware of. Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

Is there a 'best of both worlds' situation where she can use my surname for certain situations.

Thanks for your comments.

my wife changed it in the passport and quickly changed back when she understood all the hasle with the documents (she owns a house and several bank accounts old business documents, new biz documents......

[2008bangkok]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. I read a few posts about problems with land and passport issues.

I would like her to use my surname but since we will be living in Thailand, are there issues I am unaware of. Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

Is there a 'best of both worlds' situation where she can use my surname for certain situations.

Thanks for your comments.

I dont buy all this stuff about problems with thai's havin problems if they have a western surname or married to a westerner...just cant happen..imagine my son who is 3 months old..is thai, born in phuket,and when he goes to buy a house later some smart alec says 'sorry Mr don juan you cannot buy or build or get a loan for a house because you dont have a Thai name.. nah cant see it

[henryalleman]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. I read a few posts about problems with land and passport issues.

I would like her to use my surname but since we will be living in Thailand, are there issues I am unaware of. Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

Is there a 'best of both worlds' situation where she can use my surname for certain situations.

Thanks for your comments.

Why your wife should put your surname on her passport? Are you her father?, is she your property?

[sassienie]

Get married, problem solved.

Or are you afraid of commitment?

Edited December 24, 2008 by sassienie

[Birdman]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. I read a few posts about problems with land and passport issues.

I would like her to use my surname but since we will be living in Thailand, are there issues I am unaware of. Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

Is there a 'best of both worlds' situation where she can use my surname for certain situations.

Thanks for your comments.

my wife changed it in the passport and quickly changed back when she understood all the hasle with the documents (she owns a house and several bank accounts old business documents, new biz documents......

no wonder

[noise]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. .... Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

My wife started using my last name immediately after we got married 40 years ago. It appears on all official Thai and American documents, ID cards, etc. We have had the benefit of having all papers agreeing and never having to explain, verbally or in writing, why this paper had a different surname than that paper. We had no problems in the intervening 40 years.

OPINION: Our having the same surname has probably prevented any number of people incorrectly assuming what our relationship is as we have traveled and lived around the world and in Thailand. It has eased so many transactions such as buying cars in both our names. Do not refrain from using the same last name just because something could happen. A something could be that a law might be passed that invalidates any marriage where the female does not take the surname of the male.

Edited December 24, 2008 by noise

[universe2000]

Having a foreign last name might cost her more when doing financial transactions such as land purchases (maybe more difficult to negotiate). And there will be extra time having to explain everything. I heard that even traveling is some extra effort since she will have a Thai passport and a foreign last name. This isn't an issue in some countries, but she has to expect to explain a lot more than she did in the past.

Is there a situation where she can use her maiden name for land purchases and travel, and use a foreign last name for other purposes?

[tuky]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. I read a few posts about problems with land and passport issues.

I would like her to use my surname but since we will be living in Thailand, are there issues I am unaware of. Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

Is there a 'best of both worlds' situation where she can use my surname for certain situations.

Thanks for your comments.

Why your wife should put your surname on her passport? Are you her father?, is she your property?

When he marries her then YES she is...

[Gary A]

I was surprised that my wife changed her last name. She changed the name on her house papers, bank account, ID card and got a new passport. She didn't consider it to be a problem and it has not been a problem.

[srowndedbyh2o]

My wife changed her last name to mine when we got married 18+ years ago. Like “noise” said, all our paperwork agrees. She has bought land and also a house using my (our) last name. Again. Never a problem.

[tripplejjj]

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. .... Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

My wife started using my last name immediately after we got married 40 years ago. It appears on all official Thai and American documents, ID cards, etc. We have had the benefit of having all papers agreeing and never having to explain, verbally or in writing, why this paper had a different surname than that paper. We had no problems in the intervening 40 years.

OPINION: Our having the same surname has probably prevented any number of people incorrectly assuming what our relationship is as we have traveled and lived around the world and in Thailand. It has eased so many transactions such as buying cars in both our names. Do not refrain from using the same last name just because something could happen. A something could be that a law might be passed that invalidates any marriage where the female does not take the surname of the male.

Universe2000,

Take it from Noise and myself that you will be better off when you and your wife have the same last name. There would be no need to carry a marriage certificate in your wallet everywhere you two go. If you run into discrimination because of this issue, then you should raise a red flag and not do any type of business with that individual. My wife had no issue when changing her last name, bank accounts, house papers, ID, passport, visa, or any else.

Edited December 24, 2008 by tripplejjj

[ubonjoe]

Same here my wife has never had a problem. The day we registered our marriage everything was changed at the Amphoe. And then a new passport.

If she doesn't change it there might be a problem if you want to an extension for marriage at immigration.

[universe2000]

Good info/comments. Thanks.

I initially assumed that having the same last name would ease a lot of issues. As mentioned by 'noise', it is clear what the relationship is. But after reading a few posts, I was concerned that it might cause more problems.

Its good to hear that some people are not having any issues with the name change.