What happens to my Thai bank account if I die with a Non-O visa and how can I ensure my wife accesses the funds?

No one owns that strait

Just check whether banks in Thailand accept nominations in event of a death. Banks in Sri Lanka accept nominees. A bank nomination form is available. Having said that check your visa type affects validity of your nomination.

Atm maaakkkk until she has it all. Never tell the bank.

All I can state too many in their opinions and it’s obvious they haven’t been through it experienced the situation.

I give up

Most important point here and it's worthwhile remembering:

ONCE YOU DEPOSIT MONEY INTO THE BANK, IT CEASES TO BE YOUR PROPERTY. ITS THE BANK'S.

Fact!!

Your assets go into probate on your death. If you have a will then distribution it by its terms. If no will then it goes to your closest relative, or those making legitimate claims to it. Your wife will eventually get it. It just takes longer without a will.

You could sign a blank withdrawal form and leave it with your passbook?

None of us will ever know if what we were told would happen when we die is true.

I believe if you have a debit card account you can give your partner, using your pin number, prior access to via an ATM.

If you have an interest bearing account with your 0bt for Non O visa requirements you can go to your bank and request that she has access to that account upon your death. This is done by

1. The bank records your request on file.

2. By having both your signature and your partners signature put in the bank book, usually on inside back cover, that can only be seen with a ultraviolet light.

This can be done at a Bangkok Bank. Not sure if other banks do the same.

With Draw

Just dont tell the bank

You need a Thai will, certified and available for your wife.

Don’t Die

Yes, take it out.

You need a will in every country you hold assets

If she is a signatory

And if it’s part of your will

Why not

If it’s bkb change banks

My mate died and left about 2 mil in his account. His wife had to get a lawyer to act on her behalf. The lawyer charged 5%.

I've been told that a will can be held at the amper and this would give her access to your funds.

If you are married to a Thai why do you have 800 k in the account. You only need 400 k if you have a registered Thai wife.

I was quoted by a Thai attorney, 34,000 THB to be the executioner of my estate and will. It covers 800,000 THB in the bank and condo ownership. Also another bank acoount used for monthly expenses, elec and water bills, yearly condo maintenance fee.

Using ATM or credit card or whatever from a deceised owner is illegal and would go retroactivelly since the (not reported to the bank) death had eventuated.

Make a last will with a Lawyer. It cost you around 5.000 Baht depending on your Assets

I would keep valuables around for my wife in case I pass - gold as an example. The 800K should go to her but all governments have ass loads of paperwork so she won't be able to spend it immediately.

Zo snel mogelijk vluchten

There is no legal obligation to inform the bank or the embassy. The Atm card can be given to anyone with the card holders permission to use it.

I've been told a lawyer is required to get the money back.

I would suggest talking to 888 Lawyers who specialize in this area and are very helpful.

I have a will in UK under British law and intend to do a will in Thailand under Thai LawOne cannot overrule the other

yep, tell her to get the money..

I am sure other people have stated it but when I was there, opening app my bank account to deposit my 0 for the married visa. My wife was signing some forms to when I asked why she did. She's just Sin 2 forms. The bank manager stated it was to be able to release the money upon me. Dying. I am sure if you opened up your bank account with your wife there.She may have signed something similar

Hy would you care you be dead and you will need alot more than that to get home

your instinct is correct, have an ATM at hands and daily withdraws. Would need 27 withdraws in total, that is the bank don't block the account for suspicious activities. Better way make a will in Thai, it will be around 10k thb.

Yes get her to withdraw the money

Keep the money 800k in Thai banks is mandatory? or you can have it in your own country bank account and show the statement every year?

Thai888 can do an English- Thai will for you.

Think a thai woman about money 💰

Normal practise in most countries.

Will go to your wife.

My friend died in 2023 without a Will. His money is still in Bangkok Bank and his American family will never get it.

Card to wife, code to someone you trust that she does NOT know about

This is just another reason why it's advisable to have a Thai Will if you have Thai dependants.

Or in the case of an elderly single guy, use an Agent. Keep the money in your own country covered by a Will or in the UK the ease of Probate, also under £10-20k the banks release it to your NoK.

Just give her your PIN numbers and tell her to withdraw it all straight after you pass , or set up a joint account where she has access to it and she can withdraw it no problem

Why can’t you and your wife do a will?

I can tell you it was extremely easy to make out a will at the city govt Ampoe. A couple of witnesses were needed, a short explanation in English, a few signatures, DONE! No lawyers, a small fee if I remember

I’d suggest getting a Thai will drafted by a licensed Thai attorney (make sure you work with a legit one) and having them briefly explain the process to your wife as well. That way she’ll know what needs to be done and it can help avoid a lot of confusion and delays:)

The most simple is to pre sign a withdrawal slip , in case of death, my wife with my passport can withdraw all the 800.000 baht … this was the advice of the bank which knew this type of situation

That's the most solid reason not to retire in Thailand.

Put it in a safe at your home and give the combo in your will

OMG, I will, no one thought of a will 😂😂

If you are terminally ill and know it….withdraw your own money as you wont need another non o extension anyhow. Sudden death is different

You only need 0 if you are married.

Joint account would keep it alive and give her access to the money 🤔

Make a Will !

Even with a will your wife will probably have to go court. My friends had the same issue, took 2 years and a lot of money. Tell your wife not to notify the bank and slowly withdraw the money with your bank card

I have a will to make sure my wife and daughter will be okay if something happened to me. Im only 51 but you never know what can happen and what your family at home you have nothing to do with would do to get access to your assets.

while your wife is your sole heir, even without a Thai Last Will, she CANNOT withdraw money from your bank account after your demise. The police will have your account frozen after your demise. If she starts to withdraw money, it is an offense, a crime. She must await the court order.

A Thai will, so simple, and, completely legal.

While it is also possible to draft a handwritten will, this is associated with considerable uncertainty in Thailand. It is better to draft a will strictly according to the letter of law according to the Thai Civil Code.

You can have a Thai Last Will set up at a lawyer’s office, or download a Thai Last Will template from the internet (check out samuiforsale dot com).

"Thai Last Will" in this case means that it is drafted and designed according to the provisions of the Thai Civil Code.

This will therefore will be recognized inside Thailand, but it only refers to your belongings inside Thailand. The Last Will you might have set up in your home country is NOT valid inside Thailand.

I can bequeath only personal belongings and possessions located in Thailand. For any property in my home country, a separate Last Will is required.

Each item in my possession must be individually listed in the Last Will. For example, my bank account containing the +800,000 THB baht deposit which I use for my annual "retirement extension," the car, and all of my personal belongings.

The Last Will template obtained from the “samuiforsale” website came as a WORD .doc template. The text can be modified and edited, the template can be tailored to your own needs and requirements.

I first wrote all sections in my native language. I then sent the half-finished template to an embassy recommended translation office, asking them to translate my text into Thai and add it into the template. That’s what they did.

Then I went to the Amphoe, together with my girlfriend and two witnesses (she being named as the “beneficiary” and the "executor" in my Last Will).

On the Amphoe, each page was read out aloud, signed by the witnesses, my girlfriend and me, and got stamped by the Amphur. They did so with every single page. My Last Will consisted of 16 pages.

The head of the office, who did the reading, praised the Thai text as being excellent.

We submitted THREE copies, all of which were stamped and signed by the Amphur.

One of these copies remained, sealed inside an envelope, on the Amphur. We took back home the other two copies.

One copy is intended to be mailed to my country’s embassy in Bangkok in the event of my death, in an addressed envelope, as it states my sincere wish that my remains should not be transferred to my home country, that instead, my girlfriend as my executor can order my remains to be locally cremated inside Thailand.

Should I pass away in my home country, my girlfriend can empty my bank account, as the debit card and bankbook will remain with her during my stay in my home country. Nobody will hinder her. When there are no further account transactions for a period of one year, the account will be automatically be closed.

If I pass away in Thailand, the situation is more complicated. The police will order my bank account to be frozen. Anyways, before this happens and if my girlfriend starts withdrawing money, she would be committing fraud and an offense.

The Thai Last Will always has to be approved by a Thai court first. This process can take up to six months (!)

It should also be mentioned that some court executors could approach the heir and demand a bribe. You hear stories like this every now and then!

If its for a visa it will be 100% in your name how can she withdraw anything the bank teller won't do that if they did they would be breaking the law, so would you.

There's a guy Sebastien, FB Expats in Isaan/northeast Thailand. He's a lawyer with many years experience in Thailand. I'm sure he'll be able to give you the right advice. Another option is changing to the 65k a month method, saves tying up your 800k.

If you are married with Thai you don't need 0 only 0 bath.Take out 0:and give here that.And make a will for that 0 she revive after 3 to 6 mount if you die.

No need to tell her she would have withdrew it already before you got to the morgue

Put her name on the account a joint account your name drops after you die.

Thats not true, where did you get that information from? You need to write a will claiming where u want the money to go. They are not allowed to freeze the account after death if u make a will

My advice would be: Don't kick the bucket

All banks do this, not just Thai banks. My parents has a joint account and when my father died my mother had no access to joint funds for over 3 months. Luckily there was a valid will or else it could have been longer

Why not increase the 30k increments in the meantime?

I’ve always been told to withdraw money before advising if death I just recently did it when my husband passed away and am so glad he said to do that

Most banks will let you put a note on the account to say if the account holder dies then his wife can withdraw the money. Takes 15 mins to set up and you need all the usual documents in triplicate and signed of course.

Wife's docs also

This is what thais do I think 🤔

When my wifes cousin passed away before passing she gave my wife her bank cards ect with pins and told to withdraw everything when she passes. Bearing in mind her boyfriend had not long before left her around 2 million baht. So thats what happened. The money paid for a lavish cremation and was then shared amongst a few close family.

Sounds like a big fat bald bloke with tatts and a loud fake laugh sat in a bar in Pattaya told you.

What happens if you die & are single and you next of kin are in n your home country

Dont eat mushrooms

Go to your local Amphur and they will draw you up a legitimate Thai will for very little money.

Actually that's a good idea, because even with a Thai Will and a Thai spouse, when You die in Thailand everything still has to go through probate. A Will is helpful and speeds things up, but this is Thailand.

If you setup a power of eterny can't you legally withdraw all the money?

Try a Will

Will for sure, also you do not need a solicitor, it's very simple to do, just ask AI, it explains it there

Take it out now lol 😆

😂

She can keep you in a big freezer

Easy you give her atm and tell password then they get money no need to deal with bank

Take the money out then tell them you snuffed it.

If your wife can take out the forms and have her take them out. I gave my friend my credit card and password and told him to start taking the money out if I die. I do have a will but not sure if that will work. Just like when I die I'm not so sure I can get my money back to my sisters in America. Almost impossible and i will be dead so cannot help

Unless it’s sudden I’m going to have an epic last night on Bangla

Much of thai civil law was introduced from europe by rama 5 and 6, in all western countries banks and assets are frozen on death until probabate is undertaken, a will makes the process easier and faster

When ur in the ground not your problem you can't take it with you

As soon the bank are notified of your “departure” they will freeze to account. With a will your wife will have access again after the court proceedings are completed. This could take 6 months or so. A joint account with only 800’ deposit will create problem at the immigration as they consider 50% belonging to your wife. A power of attorney (which will be invalid by your death) and a secondary account with so much assets so your wife can overcome the juridical hurdles.

If you’ve got a Thai wife why isn’t your visa a 400k one ?

In other words your wife is about to put a hit on u🤣

Yes my friend died and we had to go to court to get the money back. We should of taken out with his card

It is true I was the executer of my friends Will and the banks won’t release the money it has to go through the courts Z what you suggest is illegal having said that it is an option yes take the money out over time and leave a couple of hundred in the bank so it remains open you day you have a thai wife if that’s the case you only need 400k in your Bank my friend had a thai will it still has to go thru the courts for them to issue a document authorization to release any funds you may have in the bank

You can make a will for like 8000 baht. I used Magna Carta in Pattaya. Very easy!

Make a will at your local amphur. Less than 500 baht. Have your bank account listed in the will. The will will be stamped and sealed and kept at the amphur, you also get copies for less than 100 baht each.

Good reason to use an Agent to handle the 800,000 then it is not an issue

Asked my bank about this, they told me that my wife can withdraw using my bank card. It's in my will that she inherits it but they wouldn't agree to anything else!

All banks do this to insure proper documentation before money is released.

Get a will, I’ve just done this and then the money would be released to her

Why you have 800k in the bank

I have a Thai will and two Thai bank accounts. My Thai bank books have my wifes detailed. while I am alive she does not have access to my money. If she presents my original death certificate, the bank will trnsfer the account to her name.

i made two wills. one for my assets in the UK and one for my assets in thailand. i have also prepared a notorised letter “ in the event of my illness or death “ which deals with my wishes and instructions. apparently carrying me to the jungle and letting the critters eat me is not legal in thailand. so it will be a cremation in the local temple and a tree planted in my memorial with a small sign. no 3 day funeral etc. just a blessing and cremation, because being buried in the jewish cemetery in bangkok costs 500,000 baht and i would rather that money support my wife and family.

I just done a will online a couple of weeks back leaving my thai Bank accounts and my car to my partner, takes 10 minutes

Same all over the world—the account is frozen and called estate late……It is then distributed as per the Will nominations—its not a joint account and cannot be for visa purposes—so how can it carry on function if you die🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Beware of beef stroganoff

The legal option is you must have a will. If your Thai wife withdrawals the money before notifying the banks that is fraud and she will go to jail. A will costs you 20,000. go the legal route 

Get a will

You need a Will if not the money will be held and never seen again. Banks have what is called their Bereavement Branch, this is where money from deceased accounts is moved to. No Will means the games start, goal posts keep moving and it gets harder in the hope that people give up and sometimes do, the manager of the branch can be described as a low life, when people like that are in control you have no hope.That was my experience outside of Thailand, hopefully different here

They will release it to your wife as one assumes she is the nominated beneficiary in your Thai will ❓

If she is not nominated they will not release it to her as she is not beneficiary in your will

Same as everywhere else in the world

I truly don’t understand. If you die and your married to Thai why wouldn’t go to your wife. She should inherit that. Otherwise they just keep the money? It really does not make sense?

AH

GOOD TO PLAN AHEAD

I LIKE IT !!

Hahaha

What if I cark it and my wife needs money to cover the funeral costs.Apart from a will I can leave the atm card with her to withdraw the funds immediately.

Same the world over. In the event of your death. Everything is frozen.

Apart from Tax obligations and funeral expenses. Everything else is Court or Judge. You no longer exist in law. So withdrawing funds is unlawful and somewhere along the line it will come to light. Everything else is Court or Judge approved to aquire Probate.

If you really want to plan anddo the right thing make a Thai will. Simple and not expensive.

If you have a debit card let your wife know pin and she can withdraw or if you have online banking let her know all details etc

I had a friend die 5 years ago his son is still trying to get the million baht out the will stated it was his all his Everything.

Once the thais get your money not easy to get it back I think this 800 thousand baht in a thai bank is just one way for the thais to win one more time even after your death!

You write up a will and take it to a lawyer to have it signed and certified by the lawyer (if you don't care about the lawyer cost, it's better to get the lawyer to write it up), after that you let your wife hold on to it, something happens to you she takes out that will, bank should release the fund, however they might say this will need thai court to stamp it, then your wife need to go to court and the court will issue her a letter according to this will (this process might take up to 3 months), after you got the letter, the bank will release the fund ASAP.

You need a Thai will

You need a will

One for Thailand

One for home country if necessary

usafruct leave everything to your wife about 5000baht.

I've told my wife to never tell my piece of shit effing bank anything if I croak and to just withdraw it in increments. Also have a will just to cover her ass on the tiniest chance that she could actually have legal problems (close to zero IMO).

The police will take all credit cards with them.

is it not enough to give the authority to your wife to be able to withdraw money from the savings account?

Yes, you pay to die here. It's the only reason they let you live here for a while

Leave a thai will (dual languages) so your wife can present it to the judge to collect yoir funds....

I wonder if a will written from another country and in english would allow your spouse to access the funds in my thai bank acct? IE I hope the will does not have to be in Thai as my will was done in the US w proceeds going to my wife. You get it. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

We successfully helped a Swiss family retrieve the 800k from their relatives bkk account after his death.

In general, when a bank learns that an account holder has died, it will typically freeze the individual's accounts until the estate is settled according to applicable law and the bank's procedures. That means your wife may not be able to immediately access funds in an account that is solely in your name, even if she is your spouse.

A few points to consider:

A Thai will can be very helpful. It can make it much easier and faster for your heirs to establish their rights to assets located in Thailand, including bank accounts.

Some expats use joint accounts or discuss estate-planning options directly with their bank, but the rules vary by bank and account type.

Advising someone to withdraw funds after the account holder's death without following legal procedures could create legal and administrative problems. It's generally better to have a lawful estate plan in place beforehand.

If the 800,000 baht is being maintained to satisfy immigration requirements for a retirement extension, you should also be careful about changing the account structure without understanding the immigration consequences.

The best approach is usually:

Have a Thai will prepared by a qualified Thai lawyer.

Confirm with your bank what happens to a sole-name account upon death and what documentation your wife would need.

Review whether a joint account, beneficiary designation (if available), or other estate-planning arrangement would meet both your banking and immigration needs.

Because Thai inheritance, banking, and immigration rules can be complex and may change, I would recommend consulting a Thai attorney who handles estates for expats and speaking directly with your bank branch. They can tell you exactly how your particular account would be handled and what options are available to protect your wife's access to the funds.

All banks freeze funds when you die, and yes a will is what comes into play. Doesn't matter what country you are in.