Today my legal wife went to the District Office to change the last name of her daughter from her run-off Thai father's name to Mother's last name. The Distict Office man asked why she doesn't have husband's falang name, as he read on his computer that we had been married for more than three years. He questioned daughter how long I had supported her and she quickly responded since she was 8 years old. Now she is 17 years of age. So my question is if there would be any legal advantage for my visa and or for problems resulting in daughter's inheriting her Mother's land in the future if she had a falang name. Now wife retains her Thai name rather than mine as she believes that one can legally retain her maiden name, so there wouldn't be any legal problems with her land. If anybody has had a similiar situation please inform me.

not in a similar situation, but your wife can legally retain her maiden name - so it shoul be no problems just leaving things as-is. My feeling is that there would be no advantage whatsoever in any way shape or form in adopting her at 17 - but I'd rather defer to a more informed opinion....

I thought this 'maiden'/farang name issue was already sorted a few years ago. It used to be that when your wife changed her name to yours she would lose the rights to own land. Now this is not a problem anymore.

From that viewpoint it would not matter if she has your or her mothers last name.

From a more personal viewpoint it can have a great impact. I should 'investigate' this also. By giving your adopted daughter your name it can signal a true commitment to her. Something that should not be underestimated.