Propose getting married after living together for 7 years - My reason for this is that there will be a financial advantage to my future wife in respect of my private pension (she will be entitled to 50 percent of my pension when I die).

Are there any disadvantages for her if she changes her Thai surname to my family name.

Reason I ask, is that my friend who got married to a Thai 20 years ago, said that at that time, his now wife was told that if she changed her surname she would forgo the right to own Thai assets e.g. land, house etc.

Reading on this forum it would seem that there doesn't seem to be problems associated with a western surname.

Also, is the western surname written in English script or is it transliterated intoThai script on the marriage certificate/Id card/passport etc.

The main reason for her to change the Surname would be the smoother passage with the pension fund after I'm gone and of course I won't be there to help her out!

So I'm thinking ahead, way way ahead - I hope

Thanks for any info

The law changed many years ago, a Thai woman married to a foreigner now can hold land etc just as any other Thai.

The names are written in Thai, but on the ID-card and passport they will also be mentioned in English.

Thanks for that information, Mario.

A couple of further questions:

1. After I die, does her name automatically revert to her Thai maiden name or will she be able to keep her western surname?

Reason for this question, the avoidance of name changes regarding the pension provider, which may cause confusion to them.

2. Who receives the death certificate, the wife or the British Embassy?

I just need to make sure that my UK solicitors are aware.

Tks again

1. She can keep her name.

2. She gets the death certificate. (The embassy will normally also be notified, is my understanding)

Once again Mario, Thanks very much for the reply.