When I married my wife retained her existing name, she has been married before but has been widowed for over.12 years. This was my preference as she has an 20 year old son and also I think she gets better deals with a Thai name! Now she has been trying to replace some of the papers she lost in the flood but on visiting the amphur was told that she should have changed her name to mine within 90 days of the wedding !

I ( and she) thought Thai women now had the option of keeping their existing name on marriage but does this not apply if they have been previously married ?

Under curent law, woman can keep their name and don't have to change it when getting married.

There migth be an exception for a widow who remarries, but that she can ask with the department of provincial adminstration. www.dopa.go.th They are the authority on this.

Just asked my wife. Been married 3 years and she had to change her name to mine but now she tells me women can keep their maiden name now. I believe the law has changed. She says for her it makes no difference unless of course your credit rating is no good.