Power of Attorneys for Thailand

Last updated on April 12, 2026

A power of attorney is a legal document. It allows one person (the agent) to act for another (the principal) in specific matters. This authority can be broad, giving the agent general powers. It can also be limited to specific tasks. The following text is about “Power of Attorneys for Thailand“. We are proud to provide you a lot of free templates and samples before for power of attorneys in Thailand. It is our own way to help people by providing accurate information and spreading it.

Many people ask for powers of attorney to plan for possible incapacity. A "durable power of attorney" allows someone to pick another person. This person can manage their finances, legal matters, or health choices. This is helpful if they cannot do it themselves because of mental or physical problems. This document stays valid until the person dies, unless they cancel it. It must be done correctly according to local laws. This often requires a signature in front of a notary or witnesses. But this kind of power of attorney isn’t available in Thailand (more on that below).

The Power of Attorneys in Thailand is mainly governed by the Thai Civil and Commercial Code. This code includes Sections 796 to 808. These sections explain the basic rules of agency. They cover the rights and duties of both the agent and the principal.

The requirements for a power of attorney can vary from one office to another. For example, the Land Department has its own form for selling property, which differs from the form needed to open a bank account. Even within the Land Department, the power of attorney for condominiums differs from that for title deeds (chanote). It is important to check the specific requirements. You should contact the right office or authority. This is necessary when making a power of attorney.

1. Going to Court in case of incapacity

If you are unable to make decisions, your spouse or family member can request the court to handle your assets. This can be done without a power of attorney, according to Section 28 of the Civil and Commercial Code:

Section 28. A person of unsound mind may be adjudged incompetent by the Court on
the application of any spouse, ascendants, descendants, guardian or curator, a person
taking care of the person or the Public Prosecutor.
The person adjudged incompetent under paragraph one must be placed under
guardianship. The appointment of guardian, power and duties of guardian, and
termination of guardianship shall be in accordance with provisions of Book V of this Code.
The order of the Court under this Section shall be published in the Government Gazette.

2. Other tools can be done before someone becomes incapable:

1. Power of Attorney (POA): You can give a POA to a trusted person, like your Thai spouse. This allows them to act for you in specific matters. However, as you said, different POAs are needed for different entities and transactions. For example, the Land Department has separate forms for various land titles, like Chanote and Nor Sor Sam. A general POA might not suffice for specific transactions. See below the numerous different forms in Thailand.
2. Joint Bank Accounts: A joint bank account with your spouse allows them to access funds easily. They won’t need a power of attorney if you become unable to manage your finances.
3. Living Will: The National Health Care Act B.E. 2550 (2007) lets you create a Living Will. This document shows your wishes for medical treatment if you cannot decide due to illness or incapacity.
4. Last Will and Testament: A Last Will and Testament is important. However, it cannot help if you are unable to make decisions. This document tells how your assets should be shared after you pass away.

3. Here are some of the common types of power of attorneys for Thailand:

• General power of attorney: This gives the agent broad powers to act on behalf of the principal in all matters. Here is an example of General Power of Attorney from USA.
• Special power of attorney: This allows the agent to act in specific matters. These can include selling property or opening a bank account.
• Durable power of attorney: This remains in effect even if the principal becomes incapacitated. Under Thai law, it does not really exist. The closest term to "durable" in Western law is a power of attorney. This type of power of attorney has clauses that keep it active even if the grantor becomes incapacitated.
• Limited Power of Attorney: This allows the agent to act in a few specific matters. For example, they can withdraw money from a bank account. This is an example of a Limited Power of Attorney from USA.

When drafting a power of attorney, it is important to be clear about the powers that are being granted to the agent. The power of attorney should also be specific about the duration of the power. It is also advisable to have the power of attorney notarized to make it more enforceable. In Thailand, lawyers must ask their client to sign a special POA called “lawyer’s appointment”. That is necessary for any case going to Court.

4. Here are some of the things to keep in mind when drafting หนงสอมอบอำนาจ (Power of Attorneys for Thailand)

• The power of attorney must be in writing and signed by the principal.
• Some power of attorney must be notarized, like for the land department if you are abroad.
• The power of attorney must be in Thai or translated into Thai by a certified translator.

If you want to create a power of attorney in Thailand, it is best to talk to a lawyer. This will help make sure the power of attorney is valid and can be enforced.

5. Different POA that you can download for free and samples of Power of Attorneys for Thailand.

Here are some different kinds of POA that we are providing you for free. This is for your information only. We are not responsible if these forms were changed but we try to keep our website as accurate as possible:

• Power of Attorney called TD21 – This applies to Nor Sor 3 Kor and Chanotte at the Land Department. It has only one page. The two pages are the front and back. You must also have signed copies of identification documents. In addition, if this power of attorney is signed abroad, it must be notarized. See the Thai version for more details on the last point.
• General Power of Attorneys for Thailand in English and Thai. Be careful. The Department of Business Development (DBD) has its own forms. The Labour Department also has its own forms. The Land Department has its own forms too. Other departments may have their own forms as well. However, this one often works in many places.
• Power of Attorneys for Thailand – This is a form for the labor department. It is used for work permit purposes
• Power of attorneys for Thailand – for a child to travel abroad. It is also called a “travel permit”.
• Power of attorneys for Thailand – condos, from land department called Or Chor 21 (อ.ช.21). Like the TD21, when the person is abroad, it must be notarized.

6. And more Power of Attorneys for Thailand

• A “Lawyer’s appointment” is a special power of attorney for a Thai lawyer to represent you. It is only in Thai, must be signed by the client and it is mandatory (no choice). The client must sign his IDs in blue. This includes a passport for foreigners or a Thai ID and Ta bian baan for Thai nationals. Here is an English translation if you can’t read Thai.
• POA for the administrative Court
• General Power of Attorneys for Thailand (normally used by banks) Thai only
• Power of Attorney for Thailand – the DBD (department of Business Development – Responsible of companies)
• Power of Attorney for Courts, (different than the lawyer’s appointment)
• Power of Attorney for the Transportation Department