Wills in Thailand. Types of Wills and How to Choose the Right One

A will in Thailand succeeds or fails on form. You choose a type of will. You follow the signing rules. You store the original. If you miss the rules, the court treats the will as invalid. Your assets then follow intestate rules. Your heirs face delay and conflict. You lose control over who receives what.

Thai law recognizes several types of wills. The best fit for most people is a written will signed with two witnesses. You prepare a written document. You sign in front of two witnesses at the same time. The witnesses sign the same document in the same session. This format fits real life. You control the language. You name an executor. You add clear instructions for bank accounts, condos, land, vehicles, business shares, and personal items. You also reduce disputes because the witnesses support the signing show-up.

A handwritten will is also legal. You must handwrite every word yourself. You must put the date. You must sign. People like this option because it feels simple. The risk is higher. Heirs often argue about handwriting, missing pages, unclear dates, and later edits. A single line written by someone else creates doubt. A missing date creates a fight about which version is the final will. If you choose this type, write cleanly. Do not cross out. Do not add lines later. If you need changes, write a new will and revoke the old one.

A will at the District Office, Amphur, is another option. You follow an official process. Some people prefer this because the process is formal. This option still needs careful preparation. Names must match passports and Thai ID cards. Dates of birth and addresses must match. Asset details must be specific. If the officer writes a foreign name wrong, your heirs may struggle to use the will with banks or land offices later. Bring supporting documents and check spellings.

Special emergency wills exist for unusual situations. They fit rare urgent cases. They do not fit normal planning. If your situation is stable, choose a standard written will instead.

If you want a will that works, focus on practical details. Use your legal name as shown on your passport or Thai ID. List your marital status. List your children and their full names. Name an executor who lives in Thailand or who has support in Thailand. Describe major assets with identifiers. For condos, include unit number, building name, and title deed details. For land, include title deed number and location. For bank accounts, list the bank and branch. For company shares, state the company name and registration number. If you hold assets in more than one country, separate Thai assets from foreign assets and state the plan clearly.

Witness choice matters. Pick adults who understand what they sign. Avoid witnesses who also receive gifts under the will. Keep your signing session clean. One table, one time, all signatures completed together. Store the original where your executor can reach it. Tell your executor where the original is kept. Keep a scanned copy for reference, but do not treat a scan as the original.

Example. You own a condo in Chiang Mai, you have a Thai spouse, and you have one child. A written will with two witnesses lets you name your spouse as main heir, set a share for your child, and appoint an executor to handle probate. Probate still happens, but the will gives the court and your family a clear plan.