What Happens to Your Assets If You Die Without a Will in Thailand

Reviewed by Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556, for ThaiLawOnline, a Thai law firm acting for foreigners since 2006.

Edited by Sebastien H. Brousseau, LL.B., B.Sc. Last updated 4 November 2026.
Update log
  • 4 November 2026: Added the statute box with Thai, English and French text and checked the page against the official text

Last reviewed: 27 September 2026. Sections 1418, 1533, 1625, 1629, 1630, 1635 and 1653 of the Civil and Commercial Code were read in our annotated Code, and sections 37 and 38 of the Act on Conflict of Laws B.E. 2481 in the Thai text. On 6 October 2026 sections 1599, 1711 and 1713 were read in Thai: the estate passes to the statutory heirs at death, and the court appoints an administrator rather than deciding who inherits, so the two sentences saying the court decides who inherits were corrected. Processing times and the practice of banks and Land Offices are practice experience.

Many expatriates living in Thailand believe their spouse or children receive everything automatically after death. Thai law does not work this way. If you die without a Will in Thailand, Thai intestate succession rules apply. The Civil and Commercial Code, not you, decides who inherits and in what proportion; the estate passes to those statutory heirs at the moment of death (section 1599), and a court then usually has to appoint an estate administrator before anything can be released. The process often takes months and regularly creates delays, costs, and family disputes. Our full guide: last will in Thailand.

This article explains what will happen to your Thai assets if you die without a Will in Thailand. This is based on the Thai Civil and Commercial Code.

Does Thai law apply if you are a foreigner

Partly, and the split matters. Under the Act on Conflict of Laws B.E. 2481, succession to immovable property, such as land or a condominium unit, follows the law of the place where the property is located, so Thai law governs a unit in Thailand whatever your nationality (section 37). Succession to movable property, such as bank accounts, a car or company shares, follows the law of your domicile at the time of death (section 38). If you live in Thailand, that is usually Thai law. If you are domiciled abroad, a Thai court applies your home country’s succession law to those assets, although the Thai court process is still needed to release them.

A foreign will does not automatically override Thai law. Without a Thai will that works in Thailand, heirs must go through Thai court proceedings.

The law behind this page

English

Section 1620

Where a person dies without a will, or with a will that has no effect, the whole estate is distributed to the statutory heirs according to law. Where the will disposes of, or is effective for, only part of the estate, the remaining part goes to the statutory heirs according to law.

Full text

Where a person dies without having made a will, or if having made a will, his will has no effect, the whole of his estate shall be distributed among his statutory heirs according to the law. Where a person dies having made a will which disposes of or has effect for a part only of his estate, the part which has not been disposed of or is not affected by the will shall be distributed among his statutory heirs according to the law.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Section 1629

There are only six classes of statutory heirs, entitled in this order, subject to Section 1630 paragraph 2: (1) descendants; (2) parents; (3) full-blood siblings; (4) half-blood siblings; (5) grandparents; (6) uncles and aunts. The surviving spouse is also a statutory heir, subject to the special provisions of Section 1635.

Full text

There are only six classes of statutory heir and, subject to Section 1630 paragraph 2, each class is entitled to inherit in the following order: (1) descendants; (2) parents; (3) brothers and sisters of full blood; (4) brothers and sisters of half blood; (5) grandparents; (6) uncles and aunts. The surviving spouse is also a statutory heir, subject to the special provisions of Section 1635.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Section 1635

The surviving spouse takes the same share as a child where there are descendants (or their representatives); one half where there are full-blood siblings (or their representatives), or parents and no descendants; two thirds where there are half-blood siblings, grandparents, or uncles and aunts (or their representatives); and the whole estate where there is no statutory heir under Section 1629.

Full text

The order and the share of the surviving spouse in the estate of the deceased are as follows: (1) if there is an heir under Section 1629 (1) surviving, or represented as the case may be, the surviving spouse is entitled to the same share as an heir of the rank of a child; (2) if there is an heir under Section 1629 (3) surviving, or represented, or if there is no heir under Section 1629 (1) but there is an heir under Section 1629 (2), as the case may be, the surviving spouse is entitled to one half of the estate; (3) if there is an heir under Section 1629 (4) or (6) surviving, or represented, or an heir under Section 1629 (5), as the case may be, the surviving spouse is entitled to two thirds of the estate; (4) if there is none of the heirs listed in Section 1629, the surviving spouse is entitled to the whole estate.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Section 1630

Full text

So long as there is an heir surviving, or represented by an unbroken line of representation as the case may be, in any one of the classes specified in Section 1629, an heir of a lower class has no right at all in the estate of the deceased. The preceding paragraph does not apply in the particular case where a descendant survives, or is represented as the case may be, and a parent also survives. In that case the parent takes a share as though he or she were an heir of the rank of a child.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Section 1625Amended on 23 January 2025

Where the deceased was married, the marital property must first be liquidated, the surviving spouse takes their half of joint marital property (sinsomros), before the remaining estate is distributed to the heirs under Book 6 rules.

Full text

If the deceased was married, the calculation and division of property between the deceased and the surviving spouse is as follows: (1) as regards the division of the property between the spouses, the provisions of this Code on divorce by mutual consent apply, as supplemented by Section 1637 and Section 1638, and in particular Sections 1513 to 1517 of this Code apply; but the division takes effect from the day the marriage came to an end by reason of the death; (2) as regards the division of the estate of the deceased, the provisions of this Book apply, other than Section 1637 and Section 1638.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Section 1713

An heir, an interested person or the public prosecutor may apply to the court to appoint an administrator where a statutory heir or legatee has disappeared, is outside the Kingdom or is a minor; where the administrator or an heir is unable or unwilling to act, or there is an impediment to administering or distributing the estate; or where the clause of the will appointing an administrator cannot take effect.

Full text

An heir, an interested person, or the public prosecutor may apply to the court for the appointment of an administrator of the estate in the following cases: (1) where, on the death of the deceased, a statutory heir or a beneficiary under the will has disappeared, is outside the Kingdom, or is a minor; (2) where the administrator of the estate or an heir is unable or unwilling to administer the estate, or where there is an impediment to its administration or distribution; (3) where a provision of the will appointing an administrator of the estate is for any reason unenforceable. As to the appointment, if the will contains a provision on the point the court appoints in accordance with it; if it does not, the court appoints such person as it thinks fit for the benefit of the estate in the circumstances, having regard to the intention of the deceased.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Section 37 Act on Conflict of Laws B.E. 2481

Full text

Succession, so far as it relates to immovable property, is governed by the law of the place where the property is situated.

ThaiLawOnline translation

Section 38 Act on Conflict of Laws B.E. 2481

Full text

As regards movable property, succession by statutory right or by will is governed by the law of the domicile of the deceased at the time of death.

ThaiLawOnline translation

ไทย

มาตรา 1620

ข้อความเต็ม

ถ้าผู้ใดตายโดยไม่ได้ทำพินัยกรรมไว้หรือทำพินัยกรรมไว้แต่ไม่มีผลบังคับได้ ให้ปันทรัพย์มรดกทั้งหมดแก่ทายาทโดยธรรมของผู้ตายนั้นตามกฎหมายถ้าผู้ใดตายโดยได้ทำพินัยกรรมไว้ แต่พินัยกรรมนั้นจำหน่ายทรัพย์หรือมีผลบังคับได้แต่เพียงบางส่วนแห่งทรัพย์มรดก ให้ปันส่วนที่มิได้จำหน่ายโดยพินัยกรรม หรือส่วนที่พินัยกรรมไม่มีผลบังคับให้แก่ทายาทโดยธรรมตามกฎหมาย

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตรา 1629

ข้อความเต็ม

ทายาทโดยธรรมมีหกลำดับเท่านั้น และภายใต้บังคับแห่งมาตรา ๑๖๓๐ วรรค ๒ แต่ละลำดับมีสิทธิได้รับมรดกก่อนหลังดังต่อไปนี้ คือ (๑) ผู้สืบสันดาน (๒) บิดามารดา (๓) พี่น้องร่วมบิดามารดาเดียวกัน (๔) พี่น้องร่วมบิดาหรือร่วมมารดาเดียวกัน (๕) ปู่ ย่า ตา ยาย (๖) ลุง ป้า น้า อา คู่สมรสที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่นั้นก็เป็นทายาทโดยธรรม ภายใต้บังคับของบทบัญญัติพิเศษแห่งมาตรา ๑๖๓๕

ข้อความจากฐานข้อมูลประมวลกฎหมายของเรา โปรดตรวจสอบกับข้อความทางการ (Thai text from our annotated code. Check it against the official text.)

มาตรา 1635

ข้อความเต็ม

ลำดับและส่วนแบ่งของคู่สมรสที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่ในการรับมรดกของผู้ตายนั้น ให้เป็นไปดังต่อไปนี้ (๑) ถ้ามีทายาทตามมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ (๑) ซึ่งยังมีชีวิตอยู่หรือมีผู้รับมรดกแทนที่ แล้วแต่กรณี คู่สมรสที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่นั้น มีสิทธิได้ส่วนแบ่งเสมือนหนึ่งว่าตนเป็นทายาทชั้นบุตร (๒) ถ้ามีทายาทตามมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ (๓) และทายาทนั้นยังมีชีวิตอยู่หรือมีผู้รับมรดกแทนที่ หรือถ้าไม่มีทายาทตามมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ (๑) แต่มีทายาทตามมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ (๒) แล้วแต่กรณี คู่สมรสที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่นั้นมีสิทธิได้รับมรดกกึ่งหนึ่ง (๓) ถ้ามีทายาทตามมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ (๔) หรือ (๖) และทายาทนั้นยังมีชีวิตอยู่ หรือมีผู้รับมรดกแทนที่ หรือมีทายาทตามมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ (๕) แล้วแต่กรณี คู่สมรสที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่ มีสิทธิได้มรดกสองส่วนในสาม (๔) ถ้าไม่มีทายาทดังที่ระบุไว้ในมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ คู่สมรสที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่นั้นมีสิทธิได้รับมรดกทั้งหมด

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตรา 1630

ข้อความเต็ม

ตราบใดที่มีทายาทซึ่งยังมีชีวิตอยู่ หรือมีผู้รับมรดกแทนที่ยังไม่ขาดสาย แล้วแต่กรณี ในลำดับหนึ่ง ๆ ที่ระบุไว้ในมาตรา ๑๖๒๙ ทายาทผู้ที่อยู่ในลำดับถัดลงไปไม่มีสิทธิในทรัพย์มรดกของผู้ตายเลย แต่ความในวรรคก่อนนี้มิให้ใช้บังคับในกรณีเฉพาะที่มีผู้สืบสันดานคนใดยังมีชีวิตอยู่หรือมีผู้รับมรดกแทนที่กัน แล้วแต่กรณี และมีบิดามารดายังมีชีวิตอยู่ ในกรณีเช่นนั้นให้บิดามารดาได้ส่วนแบ่งเสมือนหนึ่งว่าเป็นทายาทชั้นบุตร

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตรา 1625แก้ไขเมื่อ 23 มกราคม 2568

ข้อความเต็ม

ถ้าผู้ตายเป็นผู้สมรสแล้ว การคิดส่วนแบ่งและการปันทรัพย์สินระหว่างผู้ตายกับคู่สมรสที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่นั้นให้เป็นไปดังนี้ (๑) ในเรื่องส่วนแบ่งในทรัพย์สินระหว่างคู่สมรส ให้อยู่ในบังคับของบทบัญญัติแห่งประมวลกฎหมายนี้ว่าด้วยการหย่าโดยยินยอมทั้งสองฝ่าย อันมีบทบัญญัติเพิ่มเติมให้บริบูรณ์ในมาตรา ๑๖๓๗ และมาตรา ๑๖๓๘ และโดยเฉพาะ ต้องอยู่ในบังคับแห่งมาตรา ๑๕๑๓ ถึงมาตรา ๑๕๑๗ แห่งประมวลกฎหมายนี้ แต่การคิดส่วนแบ่งนั้นมีผลตั้งแต่วันที่การสมรสได้สิ้นไปด้วยเหตุความตายนั้น (๒) ในเรื่องส่วนแบ่งในทรัพย์มรดกของผู้ตาย ให้อยู่ในบังคับของบทบัญญัติแห่งบรรพนี้ นอกจากมาตรา ๑๖๓๗ และ ๑๖๓๘

ข้อความจากฐานข้อมูลประมวลกฎหมายของเรา โปรดตรวจสอบกับข้อความทางการ (Thai text from our annotated code. Check it against the official text.)

มาตรา 1713

ข้อความเต็ม

ทายาทหรือผู้มีส่วนได้เสียหรือพนักงานอัยการจะร้องต่อศาลขอให้ตั้งผู้จัดการมรดกก็ได้ ในกรณีดังต่อไปนี้(๑) เมื่อเจ้ามรดกตาย ทายาทโดยธรรมหรือผู้รับพินัยกรรมได้สูญหายไป หรืออยู่นอกราชอาณาเขต หรือเป็นผู้เยาว์(๒) เมื่อผู้จัดการมรดกหรือทายาทไม่สามารถ หรือไม่เต็มใจที่จะจัดการ หรือมีเหตุขัดข้องในการจัดการ หรือในการแบ่งปันมรดก(๓) เมื่อข้อกำหนดพินัยกรรมซึ่งตั้งผู้จัดการมรดกไว้ไม่มีผลบังคับได้ด้วยประการใด ๆการตั้งผู้จัดการมรดกนั้น ถ้ามีข้อกำหนดพินัยกรรมก็ให้ศาลตั้งตามข้อกำหนดพินัยกรรม และถ้าไม่มีข้อกำหนดพินัยกรรม ก็ให้ศาลตั้งเพื่อประโยชน์แก่กองมรดกตามพฤติการณ์ และโดยคำนึงถึงเจตนาของเจ้ามรดก แล้วแต่ศาลจะเห็นสมควร

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตรา 37 พระราชบัญญัติว่าด้วยการขัดกันแห่งกฎหมาย พุทธศักราช 2481

ข้อความเต็ม

มรดกเท่าที่เกี่ยวกับอสังหาริมทรัพย์ ให้เป็นไปตามกฎหมายแห่งถิ่นที่ทรัพย์สินนั้นตั้งอยู่

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

มาตรา 38 พระราชบัญญัติว่าด้วยการขัดกันแห่งกฎหมาย พุทธศักราช 2481

ข้อความเต็ม

ในส่วนที่เกี่ยวกับสังหาริมทรัพย์ มรดกโดยสิทธิโดยธรรม หรือโดยพินัยกรรม ให้เป็นไปตามกฎหมายภูมิลำเนาของเจ้ามรดกในขณะที่เจ้ามรดกถึงแก่ความตาย

ตรงตามข้อความในราชกิจจานุเบกษา / สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา (Verbatim from the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State)

Français

Article 1620

Lorsqu'une personne décède sans testament, ou avec un testament sans effet, toute la succession est répartie entre ses héritiers légaux conformément à la loi. Lorsque le testament ne dispose que d'une partie de la succession, ou n'a d'effet que sur une partie, la part dont il n'est pas disposé par testament, ou sur laquelle le testament est sans effet, revient aux héritiers légaux conformément à la loi.

résumé non officiel

Article 1629

Il n'existe que six ordres d'héritiers légaux, par rang, sous réserve de l'article 1630 alinéa 2: descendants; parents; frères et sœurs germains; frères et sœurs consanguins ou utérins; grands-parents; oncles et tantes. Le conjoint survivant est aussi héritier légal, selon l'article 1635.

résumé non officiel

Article 1635

Le conjoint survivant prend la part d'un enfant avec les descendants; la moitié avec les frères et soeurs germains ou, sans descendants, les parents; deux tiers avec les ordres 4, 5 ou 6; la totalité sans héritier de l'article 1629.

résumé non officiel

Article 1630

Tant qu'un héritier ou représentant subsiste dans un ordre, l'ordre suivant n'a aucun droit. Exception: si descendants ou représentants et parents survivants coexistent, les parents prennent la part d'un enfant.

résumé non officiel

Article 1625Modifié le 23 janvier 2025

Si le défunt était marié, le calcul des parts et le partage entre lui et le conjoint survivant suivent deux règles. (1) Le partage des biens entre époux relève des dispositions du présent code sur le divorce par consentement mutuel, complétées par les articles 1637 et 1638, et en particulier des articles 1513 à 1517; ce calcul prend toutefois effet au jour où le mariage a pris fin par le décès. (2) La part dans la succession du défunt relève du présent livre, à l'exception des articles 1637 et 1638.

résumé non officiel

Article 1713

Héritier, intéressé ou procureur peuvent demander un administrateur si héritier légal ou légataire est disparu, absent du Royaume ou mineur, si l'administration ou le partage est empêché, ou si la clause testamentaire de nomination est inefficace. Le tribunal suit le testament, sinon l'intérêt de la succession et l'intention du défunt.

résumé non officiel

Article 37 Act on Conflict of Laws B.E. 2481

La succession immobilière est régie par la loi du lieu de situation du bien.

résumé non officiel

Article 38 Act on Conflict of Laws B.E. 2481

Pour les meubles, la succession légale ou testamentaire est régie par la loi du domicile du défunt au moment du décès.

résumé non officiel

Supreme Court decisions

  • 2742/2545 (2002): Half-Siblings as Statutory Heirs
  • 1649/2567 (2024): A Guardian Cannot Renounce a Minor's Inheritance Without Prior Court Approval

Sources

Thai intestate succession rules explained

Thai intestate succession is governed mainly by Section 1629 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code.

Thai law divides heirs into six classes. Only the closest surviving class inherits. Lower classes receive nothing if a higher class exists. There is one exception, in Section 1630 paragraph 2: where a descendant and a parent both survive, the parent still inherits, taking a share of the rank of a child.

The six classes of heirs

First class. Descendants. Children and grandchildren.
Second class. Parents.
Third class. Full blood brothers and sisters.
Fourth class. Half blood brothers and sisters.
Fifth class. Grandparents.
Sixth class. Uncles and aunts.

A legal spouse always inherits. The spouse shares inheritance with the surviving class of heirs. This is where many foreigners misunderstand Thai law. Before anything is divided, the surviving spouse first takes their own half of the marital property (sin somros), exactly as on a divorce. Only the deceased’s half of the marital property, together with the deceased’s personal property, forms the estate that the rules below divide (sections 1625 and 1533).

If You Die Without a Will in Thailand

Who inherits if you die without a will in Thailand
Thai intestate succession decision chart A decision chart showing how a Thai estate is divided when there is no will, following sections 1629, 1630 and 1635 of the Civil and Commercial Code. The main path assumes a surviving spouse; the panel at the lower left gives the position where there is no spouse. The full text version follows below the chart. No valid will, spouse surviving Are there descendants? children, or grandchildren by representation. s.1629(1) YES NO Spouse takes a child’s share The spouse and each descendant take equal shares. s.1635(1) Are the parents also alive? If so they inherit too, each taking a share as if they were a child. s.1630 para 2. Most guides miss this. Are the parents alive? s.1629(2) YES NO Spouse takes one half Parents share the rest. s.1635(2) Full-blood brothers or sisters? s.1629(3) YES NO Spouse takes one half siblings share the rest. s.1635(2) Half-blood siblings, grandparents, or uncles and aunts? s.1629(4), (5), (6) YES NO Spouse takes two thirds that class shares the remaining third. s.1635(3) Spouse takes the whole estate No other statutory heir survives. s.1635(4) If there is no surviving spouse The class order in s.1629 applies on its own: descendants, then parents, then full-blood siblings, then half-blood siblings, then grandparents, then uncles and aunts. A surviving class excludes every class below it. One exception, s.1630 para 2: where a descendant and a parent both survive, the parent still takes a share of the rank of a child.

The same rules in text. Thai law recognises six classes of statutory heir, in this order: descendants; parents; full blood brothers and sisters; half blood brothers and sisters; grandparents; uncles and aunts. A surviving class excludes every class below it, subject to one exception in Section 1630 paragraph 2. The surviving spouse is a statutory heir as well, and the spouse’s share depends on which class survives.

Who else survivesThe spouse receivesSection
DescendantsThe same share as one child1635(1)
Parents, where there are no descendantsOne half1635(2)
Full blood brothers and sistersOne half1635(2)
Half blood siblings, grandparents, or uncles and auntsTwo thirds1635(3)
Nobody in any of the six classesThe whole estate1635(4)

The trap most guides miss: where descendants survive and the parents are also alive, the parents inherit as well, each taking a share as though they were a child. This applies whether or not there is a surviving spouse. A widow who assumes the estate divides between herself and the children can find two more shares in the calculation.

None of this decides who administers the estate, and none of it moves a single baht until a Thai court appoints an estate administrator. See probate in Thailand. A Thai will replaces this entire chart with your own instructions.

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How assets are divided without a will

Married with children

If you die married and have children, the spouse receives the same share as one child.

Example: Two children and one spouse. The estate is divided into three equal parts. The spouse receives one third. Each child receives one third. These fractions apply to the estate only: if everything the couple owned was marital property, the spouse first keeps half of it and then takes a third of the other half.

Married without children but parents alive

The spouse takes one half of the estate. The parents share the other half.

Example: one spouse and two parents. The spouse receives one half. Each parent receives one quarter. This is set by Section 1635(2) of the Civil and Commercial Code.

Married without children and parents deceased

The spouse inherits everything only where no other statutory heir survives at all. After the parents, Section 1635 still keeps four classes in play: full blood brothers and sisters, half blood brothers and sisters, grandparents, and uncles and aunts.

If full blood brothers or sisters survive, the spouse takes one half and they share the rest, under Section 1635(2). If the closest surviving class is instead half blood siblings, grandparents, or uncles and aunts, the spouse takes two thirds and that class shares the remaining third, under Section 1635(3). The spouse receives the whole estate only where none of the six classes has a surviving member, under Section 1635(4).

Not legally married

A partner without legal marriage registration has no inheritance rights under Thai law.
No matter how long you lived together, the partner receives nothing unless named in a will.

What happens to specific Thai assets

Condominiums

The unit belongs to the heirs from the moment of death, but the register does not change by itself. Section 1713 lets a court appoint an estate administrator, and that is the normal route where an heir is abroad, missing or a minor, or the heirs cannot agree; in practice the Land Office then registers the unit on the court order. Until the register is changed, the unit is in effect frozen. Sale, transfer, or rental is blocked. Delays are common, especially when heirs live abroad.

Bank accounts

Thai banks freeze accounts as soon as they receive notice of death. Funds remain inaccessible until a court order appoints an administrator. This often creates financial pressure for surviving spouses.

Usufruct and lease rights

A lease passes to the heirs only if the contract says so. A usufruct you hold ends at your death (section 1418). A usufruct you granted over your own property survives your death and binds your heirs for the remainder of its lawful term.

Company shares

Company shares do not transfer automatically. Directors cannot update the share register without a court order. This creates serious operational risk for family businesses.

Court process without a will

Without a will, heirs must file a petition for estate administration with the Thai court.

Typical steps include identifying heirs, submitting documents and translations, attending hearings, obtaining a court appointment, collecting assets, and distributing the estate.

Land can sometimes pass without this step: under section 81 of the Land Code an heir may apply to the Land Office with proof of the inheritance, and the officer registers it after a 30-day public notice if nobody objects. Where an heir is abroad, missing or a minor, or the heirs disagree, the court route is the usual one. This process often takes six to twelve months. Disputes can extend it much longer.

Common mistakes foreigners make

  • Believing a foreign will is enough
  • Assuming the spouse inherits everything
  • Ignoring Thai language and court requirements
  • Leaving minor children without proper planning
  • Failing to appoint an executor

These mistakes are avoidable.

Why a Thai will solves these problems

A Thai will lets you choose who gets your assets. It protects your spouse or partner. You can also appoint an executor. This type of will reduces court involvement. It speeds up the transfer of assets and helps control costs.

A properly drafted Thai will aligns with Thai law and court practice.

Why this still matters

Thai courts continue to tighten document and translation requirements. Banks and land offices demand clearer probate orders. Estates without proper planning face longer delays and higher costs.

Preparing a Thai will now avoids these problems later and it can be done at low cost.

Key takeaway

If you die in Thailand without a will, a fixed order in the Civil and Commercial Code decides who inherits your assets, and a court decides who administers them. Not you. Not your family.

A Thai will is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your assets and the people you care about in Thailand. ThaiLawOnline offers customized Wills done by registered Thai attorneys for only 3,900. Contact us by writing to info@thailawonline.com. For a more extensive text about Last Will in Thailand, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you die without a will in Thailand?

Your estate is distributed under Thai intestacy rules to statutory heirs in a fixed order of priority set by the Civil and Commercial Code.

Who inherits if there is no will in Thailand?

Thai law recognises six classes of statutory heirs, such as descendants, parents and siblings, together with the surviving spouse, who shares with them.

How is a surviving spouse treated under Thai intestacy?

The surviving spouse is a statutory heir and shares the estate with the other classes of heirs in the proportions set by law.

Can a foreigner’s assets in Thailand pass without a will?

Yes, but it can be slower and more complex. A Thai will covering Thai-based assets is strongly recommended to simplify probate.

Is probate required if there is no will in Thailand?

Yes. A court usually has to appoint an estate administrator before assets such as bank accounts and property can be transferred to the heirs.

The cheapest way to avoid all of this: 250 baht

You do not need a lawyer to escape intestacy. You can make a public will at any amphur or Bangkok khet office. The Ministerial Regulation on the Making of Wills B.E. 2569 has been in force since 24 March 2026, replacing the 1960 rules, and it made this route easier: you can now use any office rather than only the one holding your house registration. The fee is 250 baht, up from 50, and a duplicate counterpart of the will is 50 baht, up from 10. Bring two witnesses, who must be present and sign in front of the officer, and photo identification showing an identity number. Where there is reason to doubt that you are at least fifteen or of sound mind, the officer looks into it and records what was found in the register. The office keeps the registered will; you can collect it at any time on showing your receipt, and the office then keeps a certified copy.

The regulation changed procedure only. It did not change the intestacy rules set out above, so a will remains the only thing that displaces them. What 250 baht does not buy is drafting: the officer writes down what you say, and will not tell you that a foreign heir needs Land Code permission to keep land, or that a beneficiary who signs as a witness loses their own gift under Section 1653.

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About the author

Written and reviewed by Sébastien Brousseau, LL.B., B.Sc., founder of ThaiLawOnline, working in Thai law since 2006 and living in Thailand since 2004. He also writes about life in Thailand at . Connect on LinkedIn or contact the firm.

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