After Legally Married, Should The Thai Wife'S Surname And Title Be Changed

[SandyYosyingyong]

Dear all,

My BF (of a British national) and I are planning to get registered as a married couple in February this year, however, I work for the Thai government and we are planning to live here..for a long while, so I am just wondering:

1. Can I still keep my last name and not use his? Will this have any implications on him getting his non-immigration O type extension?

2. Can I still keep my title as Miss, instead of Mrs.?

Thank you

Sandy

[Mario2008]

Since a couple of years the law states that you cna keep your own last name and don't have to change your title from miss to misses.

It shouldn't matter for immigraiton, although they might ask questions about it. Telling them that you want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.

[beano2274]

My wife changed hers, a few bits of paper at the local amphur office. It was not necessary though as Mario has stated. I think it makes it easier at Immigration as they are bound to ask some questions about it, although you will also be there with him when he does his extensions it just eases the process. Actually my wife moved her maiden name to her middle name, and used my surname as hers.

Also the condos we have are in her maiden name and we have not bothered changing them.

[SandyYosyingyong]

Thank you guys, much appreciated!

[SandyYosyingyong]

Since a couple of years the law states that you cna keep your own last name and don't have to change your title from miss to misses.

It shouldn't matter for immigraiton, although they might ask questions about it. Telling them that you want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.

when you mentioned..telling them that I want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.....what problems could they be?

Thanks

[Mario2008]

With people who think that there are different rules for persons married to a foreigner.

It also shows that you are marreid with a foreigner, which peope will asume means you are rich.

[cardholder]

Since a couple of years the law states that you cna keep your own last name and don't have to change your title from miss to misses.

It shouldn't matter for immigraiton, although they might ask questions about it. Telling them that you want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.

when you mentioned..telling them that I want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.....what problems could they be?

Thanks

Change your surname to "Smith" and you will be looked down on by your fellow Thais. Something to do with the fact that you can't get a Thai husband so have had to settle for a Farang.

This, I am told, is not uncommon - keep your Thai surname.

[beano2274]

If you purchase a house with your new name you have to prove where the money came from. Topics on here about it

[SandyYosyingyong]

I see, the main reason is just because I work for the govt, the Prime Minister's office..so I think keeping my Thai last name will just make everything easier..you know what I meant..

also, we are planning to be living here for along while, so dont feel the need to change my last name to his just yet, maybe when we decide we wanna go back to the UK then maybe i will consider changing it to his

[PoorSucker]

My wife changed her name, but when our son was born her maiden name is the birth certificate.

[sparebox2]

Since a couple of years the law states that you cna keep your own last name and don't have to change your title from miss to misses.

It shouldn't matter for immigraiton, although they might ask questions about it. Telling them that you want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.

when you mentioned..telling them that I want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.....what problems could they be?

Thanks

Change your surname to "Smith" and you will be looked down on by your fellow Thais. Something to do with the fact that you can't get a Thai husband so have had to settle for a Farang.

This, I am told, is not uncommon - keep your Thai surname.

Look down? Maybe, some 10 years ago.

Now Thai people look up to Farang name. Thinking she could be a mix-race movie star.

[wayned]

If you really want to get creative and confuse everybody, keep your Thai surmane, written in Thai followed by a dash and then your English surmname. You could be Sandy Yosyingyong(in Thai)-Smith. If your Thai surname works for you and your then go for it!

Just out of curiosity, in a previous post you were talking about a family business that made housing out of imported timber, now you work in the PMs office! Is it a government housing project?

[billd766]

I married my Thai wife 12 years ago and she never changed her name at all.

Our son though has my family name and not hers.

[bobl]

The simple answer is it's entirely up to you, you could but there's no legal requirement to do so. Some men would be offended if you didn't take their surname. Some couldn't care less. Surnames (or "family name") are quite meaningful in western cultures, where we (men) carry our "family name" down through the generations. It may be important to him that if you have children, they take his surname.

Your title likewise... You could change it to Ms (neither Miss or Mrs) which basically means "it's none of your business whether I'm married or single"...

[PoorSucker]

Your title likewise... You could change it to Ms (neither Miss or Mrs) which basically means "it's none of your business whether I'm married or single"...

This only applies to females.

Ladyboys must have Mr on their ID-card.

[ludditeman]

I see, the main reason is just because I work for the govt, the Prime Minister's office..so I think keeping my Thai last name will just make everything easier..you know what I meant..

also, we are planning to be living here for along while, so dont feel the need to change my last name to his just yet, maybe when we decide we wanna go back to the UK then maybe i will consider changing it to his

If you are worried about having different surnames.

He can change his surname to yours.

[lungbing]

With a foreign surname you will be looked down on by fellow Thais, and even discriminated against in your own country. Two examples from our 11 year old marriage: First, a few years ago Thai International had a special offer on for a flight package. I was refused it as a farang, but my wife was refused it to her face because she was married to a farang. I wrote to Thai International who apologised and said they were sorry, but too late for the flight.

The second instance happened just today. My wife and friend were having their hair done. Same treatment, same place. The owner heard my wife's friend talking about me and charged my wife 100 baht extra. My wife asked why and the girl wouldn't look her in the eye but just 'mia farang'.

Both stories are true and there are more. You are probably already used to being stared at from head to foot when you're with your boyfriend.

Ask your new husband to change his name to yours, if he will, might be a good idea and gain him some face. You will lose face if you change. Sorry, but in our experience it's sad but true.

[steve187]

Don't change, all that paperwork for what, my wife never has, and no problems, maiden name on all Thai stuff, My name on all Uk stuff.

[jamescollister]

Same same wife has keep her Thai name here, kids have my name. In Australia she has my nane. never had any problems. Jim

[SandyYosyingyong]

If you really want to get creative and confuse everybody, keep your Thai surmane, written in Thai followed by a dash and then your English surmname. You could be Sandy Yosyingyong(in Thai)-Smith. If your Thai surname works for you and your then go for it!

Just out of curiosity, in a previous post you were talking about a family business that made housing out of imported timber, now you work in the PMs office! Is it a government housing project?

hi there,

I think you might have mixed me up with someone else!!!!! lol sorry I dont think i have ever mentioned a family business involving importing timber????

[SandyYosyingyong]

thank you all for your awesome advice

[SandyYosyingyong]

With a foreign surname you will be looked down on by fellow Thais, and even discriminated against in your own country. Two examples from our 11 year old marriage: First, a few years ago Thai International had a special offer on for a flight package. I was refused it as a farang, but my wife was refused it to her face because she was married to a farang. I wrote to Thai International who apologised and said they were sorry, but too late for the flight.

The second instance happened just today. My wife and friend were having their hair done. Same treatment, same place. The owner heard my wife's friend talking about me and charged my wife 100 baht extra. My wife asked why and the girl wouldn't look her in the eye but just 'mia farang'.

Both stories are true and there are more. You are probably already used to being stared at from head to foot when you're with your boyfriend.

Ask your new husband to change his name to yours, if he will, might be a good idea and gain him some face. You will lose face if you change. Sorry, but in our experience it's sad but true.

well, i know this topic is rather frustrating....

i am more of a Kiwi than a Thai (overseas educated).. but my folks to do live here..

i used to be worried about getting stared when I firstly came back here..but then i came to realisation that..people can stare and you can pretty much do nothing about it, each to their own..

to be honest, its how you carry yourself and all..and we both look young ..(no offence to anyone here guys!) but you know what i meant..

people do stare but when they hear me speak..with my funny mixed Auss-Kiwi accent then they realise what a fool they have made of themselves..

i hate how ppl here can be soooo judgmental sometimes ........ not every western-Thai couple has to be what they think of the stereotypical farang-thai couple......this p..ses me off ..well used to lol now I just care about what needs to be

to me changing my last name to his or not is nothing to do with being "looked up" or "looked down", its merely to do with the fact that I just cant be bothered changing all of my documents to the new last name thats all:)

[wayned]

If you really want to get creative and confuse everybody, keep your Thai surmane, written in Thai followed by a dash and then your English surmname. You could be Sandy Yosyingyong(in Thai)-Smith. If your Thai surname works for you and your then go for it!

Just out of curiosity, in a previous post you were talking about a family business that made housing out of imported timber, now you work in the PMs office! Is it a government housing project?

hi there,

I think you might have mixed me up with someone else!!!!! lol sorry I dont think i have ever mentioned a family business involving importing timber????

Sorry, had you confused with someone that was moving back to Thailand from the UK with her boyfriend and were getting married and he was looking to be part of the family business that imported timber to build "portable houses".

[gamini]

Since a couple of years the law states that you cna keep your own last name and don't have to change your title from miss to misses.

It shouldn't matter for immigraiton, although they might ask questions about it. Telling them that you want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.

if you want to buy property it is much better to use a Thai name.

when you mentioned..telling them that I want to avoid problems with using a foreign name should be enough.....what problems could they be?

Thanks

[true blue]

my wife changed her name to mine,easier if you do decide to settle in uk for bank accounts,pension benifits,n.i number,council tax,new passport,ect.

[GuyDow]

my wife changed her name to mine,easier if you do decide to settle in uk for bank accounts,pension benifits,n.i number,council tax,new passport,ect.

When we lived in the UK my wife used my name (bank accounts, credit cards, passport, etc.) In Thailand she continued to use her maiden name. We never had a problem with this in either country.

[lopburi3]

There used to be a reason for this (other than the Ms factor) but these days believe it is more beneficial to have the same name, for travel reasons if none other. It provides the support link for both parties rather than everyone assuming no official relationship unless explained.

In posters words it is not a legal or personal issue but just extra paperwork. To an extent that is valid but for ID/home register change I suspect less than an hour required most offices. For passport perhaps the same. Bank account(s) the same. Drivers license not sure how long. Should be less than a day out of a lifetime. Even queue treatment is decent in most places these days and poster appears well able to take care of herself.

[SandyYosyingyong]

Thank lopburi and other members...all advice noted!

wish us all the luck in the world please, as we are going to get all the marriage registration and visa conversion done next month!

[Mario2008]

Good luck and I hope you will be happy togehter.

[SandyYosyingyong]

thank you!