Desertion

Reviewed by ThaiLawOnline, a licensed Thai law firm practising in Thailand since 2006. Thai lawyer of record: Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556.

Last updated on August 6, 2026

A statutory ground for divorce under Section 1516(4) of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code. A spouse has deserted the other when they have wilfully abandoned the marital home for more than one year without reasonable cause, or has been absent for more than three years so that the other spouse reasonably believes them to be dead. Desertion must be voluntary and continuous to support a divorce petition.

See also our full guide: divorce in Thailand.

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