{"id":1806,"date":"2026-04-18T17:01:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T10:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/glossary\/guardian\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T19:33:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T12:33:49","slug":"guardian","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/guardian\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e43\u0e0a\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e33\u0e19\u0e32\u0e08\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e04\u0e23\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e2b\u0e23\u0e37\u0e2d\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e38\u0e1a\u0e32\u0e25\u0e02\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e1a\u0e38\u0e04\u0e04\u0e25\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e40\u0e22\u0e32\u0e27\u0e4c\u0e2b\u0e23\u0e37\u0e2d\u0e44\u0e23\u0e49\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21\u0e2a\u0e32\u0e21\u0e32\u0e23\u0e16"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p>\u0e40\u0e2d <strong>\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e1e\u0e34\u0e17\u0e31\u0e01\u0e29\u0e4c<\/strong> (\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e04\u0e23\u0e2d\u0e07, <em>phu pok khrong<\/em>, also spelled <em>phu pokkhrong<\/em>) is a person appointed by the court to take charge of the person and property of a minor who has no parents or whose parents have lost parental power, or of an adult the court has declared incompetent. Guardianship of minors is governed by Sections 1585 to 1598\/18 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/thai-civil-and-commercial-code\/\">\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e21\u0e27\u0e25\u0e01\u0e0e\u0e2b\u0e21\u0e32\u0e22\u0e41\u0e1e\u0e48\u0e07\u0e41\u0e25\u0e30\u0e1e\u0e32\u0e13\u0e34\u0e0a\u0e22\u0e4c<\/a>, and the same rules apply to the guardian of an incompetent adult. The guardian stands in for the parents in law, but under court supervision and with less freedom than a parent.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>\u0e2a\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1a\u0e31\u0e0d<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#when-and-how-a-guardian-is-appointed\">When and how a guardian is appointed<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#practical-points-for-foreign-families\">Practical points for foreign families<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-a-guardian-differs-from-a-parent\">How a guardian differs from a parent<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\">\u0e04\u0e33\u0e16\u0e32\u0e21\u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e1e\u0e1a\u0e1a\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e22<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-and-how-a-guardian-is-appointed\">When and how a guardian is appointed<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p><strong>Section 1585<\/strong> allows a guardian to be appointed only when a minor has no father and mother, or when parental power has been withdrawn from both. While one parent holds parental power there is no room for a guardian; that parent exercises <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/parental-powers\/\">\u0e2d\u0e33\u0e19\u0e32\u0e08\u0e02\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e04\u0e23\u0e2d\u0e07<\/a> alone under Section 1566. The appointment is made by the Juvenile and Family Court under Section 1586 on the application of a relative, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/public-prosecutor\/\">\u0e2d\u0e31\u0e22\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23<\/a>, or the person named as guardian in the will of the last surviving parent. A nomination in a will does not make the appointment; the court normally follows it unless the person is unsuitable.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p>Section 1587 excludes anyone incompetent or quasi-incompetent, an undischarged bankrupt, a person the court finds unfit, a person with a pending lawsuit against the minor, and a person the parents excluded in writing. For an adult declared incompetent under Section 28, the court appoints a guardian in the same way; where the incompetent person has a spouse, the spouse is ordinarily appointed unless the court decides otherwise.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"practical-points-for-foreign-families\">Practical points for foreign families<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p>Foreigners meet guardianship in predictable situations: both parents of a child die or cannot act, a foreign grandparent wants standing to care for a half-Thai child, or an ageing foreign resident loses capacity and the family needs authority to deal with banks, hospitals and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/land-office\/\">\u0e2a\u0e33\u0e19\u0e31\u0e01\u0e07\u0e32\u0e19\u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e14\u0e34\u0e19<\/a>. In each case the route is a petition to the Juvenile and Family Court, with a report from a court social worker, and the order takes some months.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p>The petitioner brings the child&#8217;s birth certificate, the parents&#8217; death certificates or medical evidence of incapacity, the house registration and evidence of the applicant&#8217;s relationship and means, with certified Thai translations of foreign documents. A foreigner may be appointed, and a foreign guardian of a Thai child can apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/non-o-visa\/\">\u0e27\u0e35\u0e0b\u0e48\u0e32\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e40\u0e20\u0e17 Non-Immigrant O<\/a> on that basis. Parents of minor children should name a guardian in their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/will\/\">\u0e04\u0e19\u0e44\u0e17\u0e22\u0e08\u0e30<\/a> so the court has their choice on record.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-a-guardian-differs-from-a-parent\">How a guardian differs from a parent<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p>A parent exercises parental power by right; a guardian holds authority by court order and answers to the court. The guardian must draw up an inventory of the ward&#8217;s property soon after appointment, may not buy the ward&#8217;s property, and needs court permission for the same major transactions a parent needs it for under Section 1574: selling or mortgaging land, granting a lease over three years, lending the ward&#8217;s money, or renouncing an inheritance. The court may also require security and periodic accounts.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p>Guardianship of a minor ends when the ward turns 20, dies or is adopted, or when the court removes the guardian. Guardianship of an incompetent adult ends when the court revokes the declaration. On termination the guardian hands over the property and renders final accounts.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">\u0e04\u0e33\u0e16\u0e32\u0e21\u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e1e\u0e1a\u0e1a\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e22<\/h2>\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list\">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Can a foreigner be a guardian of a Thai child?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Yes. Sections 1586 and 1587 do not exclude foreigners, and courts appoint foreign grandparents, step-parents and relatives where the child&#8217;s parents are dead or have lost parental power and the applicant can show a stable home and means. The foreign guardian can then obtain a Non-Immigrant O visa based on the guardianship.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Does naming a guardian in a Thai will make the appointment automatic?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>No. The will nominates a guardian, and the person named must still apply to the Juvenile and Family Court under Section 1586 after the death of the last surviving parent. The court gives weight to the nomination but checks that the person is suitable and not excluded under Section 1587.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">What is the difference between a guardian and a curator in Thailand?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>A guardian is appointed for a minor without parents or for an adult declared incompetent under Section 28, and manages the ward&#8217;s affairs in full. A curator is appointed for a quasi-incompetent person under Section 32, who keeps the right to act but needs the curator&#8217;s consent for the important transactions listed in the Code.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p>\u0e14\u0e39\u0e40\u0e1e\u0e34\u0e48\u0e21\u0e40\u0e15\u0e34\u0e21: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/incapacity\/\">incapacity and quasi-incapacity<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/parental-rights\/\">\u0e2a\u0e34\u0e17\u0e18\u0e34\u0e02\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e04\u0e23\u0e2d\u0e07<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/family-court\/\">\u0e28\u0e32\u0e25\u0e40\u0e22\u0e32\u0e27\u0e0a\u0e19\u0e41\u0e25\u0e30\u0e04\u0e23\u0e2d\u0e1a\u0e04\u0e23\u0e31\u0e27<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/glossary\/adoption\/\">\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e23\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e40\u0e25\u0e35\u0e49\u0e22\u0e07\u0e1a\u0e38\u0e15\u0e23\u0e1a\u0e38\u0e0d\u0e18\u0e23\u0e23\u0e21<\/a>, \u0e41\u0e25\u0e30\u0e04\u0e39\u0e48\u0e21\u0e37\u0e2d\u0e09\u0e1a\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e40\u0e15\u0e47\u0e21\u0e2a\u0e33\u0e2b\u0e23\u0e31\u0e1a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/child-custody-in-thailand\/\">\u0e2a\u0e34\u0e17\u0e18\u0e34\u0e43\u0e19\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e14\u0e39\u0e41\u0e25\u0e1a\u0e38\u0e15\u0e23\u0e43\u0e19\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e40\u0e17\u0e28\u0e44\u0e17\u0e22<\/a> \u0e41\u0e25\u0e30 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/last-will-in-thailand\/\">making a last will in Thailand<\/a>.<\/p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A guardian (\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e04\u0e23\u0e2d\u0e07, phu pok khrong, also spelled phu pokkhrong) is a person appointed by the court to take charge [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":214,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"guardian thailand","rank_math_title":"Guardian Thailand: Phu Pok Khrong Explained | ThaiLawOnline","rank_math_description":"Guardian (phu pok khrong) in Thailand: the person a court appoints to care for a minor without parents or an adult declared incompetent, and how it works.","rank_math_breadcrumb_title":""},"class_list":["post-1806","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","pmpro-has-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1806"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1806\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6860,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1806\/revisions\/6860"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thailawonline.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1806"}],"curies":[{"name":"\u0e14\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e40\u0e1a\u0e34\u0e25\u0e22\u0e39\u0e1e\u0e35","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}