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What is the process for adopting children in Thailand for expats?

Adoption in ThailandChildren's RightsVisa for AdoptionExpats in ThailandThai ImmigrationFosteringLegal Process for AdoptionThai Family LawChild Welfare in Thailand
Mar 19, 2024
9 months ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone here know what is involved in adopting kids here? Already married. Have a couple of fatherless nephews...
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the complexities of adopting children in Thailand, particularly for expats. Various comments highlight the differing opinions on the feasibility of adoption, with some asserting it is possible while others share their experiences. Overall, the adoption process in Thailand is described as lengthy and complicated, often requiring consent from biological parents, as noted in cases of fatherless children. Many contributed thoughts on visiting children's homes for information and recommended consulting with legal experts to navigate the adoption process, emphasizing the importance of research and understanding local laws.
Diedy **********
There are international agreements and protocols concerning adoption. You can try to foster them, but be careful because trafficking is widespread and not punished lightly. There are special lawyers to help you in Thailand.
9 months ago
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Robert ********
Dont
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Robert *******
 why shouldn't he
9 months ago
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Robert ********
@Chris ********************
 thank you sir
9 months ago
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Robert ********
@Chris ********************
 a little research would be educational.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Robert *******
 and yes resurch is what a lot of people have advised, including me ,enjoy your holiday .
9 months ago
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Patrick ************
@Chris ********************
 same same Did take much to do
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ***********
 what did you do? The thread is unclear now.
9 months ago
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Patrick ************
@Jack ***************
 that was 10yrs ago
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Patrick ***********
 iv stop commenting on this mate jack thinks I'm a Crank, because I message him trying to help with his visa situation,
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ***********
 what was? Adoption? Fostering? "Not doing it"?
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Robert *******
 you come on holiday, people who have thai family's care
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
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Terry *********
Let your wife adopt then when have visa for your country he will go also as the luggage- i was successful. Doing this in Viet Nam for my wife’s nephew 
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry ********
 interesting, although I've no interest in taking them out of the country.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
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David ***********
It's all dealt with in Bangkok
9 months ago
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David ***********
It's a very long drawing out process and very expensive
9 months ago
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Terary **********
I am not in a place in life that I can do this, now. But I have thought about doing it in the future. Adopt some kids 10 to 12 years old, feed them, cloth them, educate them then set them free to be productive adults. I am curious how you make out. For me, the advantage would be getting them US citizenship easier, which would ideally lead to better economic opportunity and that is really what I would want to do...

I curious how it turns out for you.
9 months ago
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Jason *******
As they say in Thailand don’t get involved !

Fatherless doesn’t mean motherless or no family

But if you need or feel the desire

You will need consent then go through a long process multiple govt agencies

Find out the process online first then consider/reconsider your first step
9 months ago
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Matthew **********
Back in the 1990s, I worked in a home for children in Bangkok abandoned by HIV+ parents. I can’t imagine the process is any less complicated today as it was then. From what I witnessed, it is more complicated than immigration and you are at the mercy of the official interviewing you. My recommendation is you consult with a lawyer. Best of luck to you.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Matthew *********
 Iwe have a children's home not far from where I live in chainart province ,every now and again the wife and I go and take my 2 daughters clothes that they have grown out of,baby milk pamper etc.

After a few times of visiting, I couldn't go in any more, it broke my heart to see lovely kids like that thinking what kind of future are they going to have,so for them who is trying to give kids a good future, we'll done for trying.
9 months ago
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Matthew **********
It was emotionally taxing, as well as rewarding working with the children. I suppose I’ll do that sort of volunteering again in retirement.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Matthew *********
 respect mate
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
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Steve *************
What a strange response???
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Steve ************
 true my friend, I think he's one of those people who come for a couple of weeks in Pattaya and a full moon party
9 months ago
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Steve *************
@Chris ********************
 yes, I think that you may be correct
9 months ago
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Steve *************
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John ********
Rent and run 🏃‍♂️
9 months ago
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Kev *********
If you read the original post carefully, these are NOT orphans. It says fatherless. If a surviving father is named on the Birth certificate his and the mother's agreement will be required.
9 months ago
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Bob *********
I have considered this myself so have looked for information on line. There is info out there but FB is not really the best place to find it. It seems to be a difficult route but could be very rewarding if successful. I am married to a Thai who would make an wonderful mother but unfortunately we cannot have children. It may be less difficult if you are seeking to adopt a nephew or niece of your Thai spouse if that were what you are seeking to do. In any event if you do the ground work and follow the process then you could be successful.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob ********
 Do you imagine that this might be the sum of my efforts? Or maybe its 9pm and I'm in America and thinking about the situation and this is something I can do at the moment to maybe pull a thread...
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Jack ***************
 chill pal one step at a time ,wait till you come back to Thailand and then do your homework, don't let it get you down.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
 I am easily triggered by internet dipshits. It makes life harder than it should be. ;)
9 months ago
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Bob *********
@Jack ***************
 are you suggesting from my comment I am an Internet dipshit?
9 months ago
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James *********
@Bob ********
 yes, yes he did 😲
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Jack ***************
 true as I said don't let it get you down
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
You know, this is a conversational environment not a magistrates office where life altering results can occur as the direct result of what gets said. It doesn't make sense for me (or anyone) to give long form information about the situation. So when replying you need to make some assumptions and you can choose to think the question comes from a reasonable person who is looking for more information or that the person is a complete fucking idiot. If you choose to option B- you not only open the door but BEG for the other person to assume YOU are the complete fucking idiot.

Let's try to be helpful- or practice our shutting up skills.
9 months ago
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Matthias *********
@Jack ***************
 good luck and all the best, mate.
9 months ago
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Pat *********
@Jack ***************
 try to ignore these useless people. I guess there just waiting to write nonsense on Facebook, seems to me like a hobby for them.

Anyway, me and my wife are also interested in adopting a child in Thailand. 🇹🇭

I have found some children’s homes in Pattaya.

I was thinking to visit one of them to get more information.

But I have seen some ℹ️ that the process takes some time up to 2 years. But the example was for adoption a child and to take he/she to your home country, but when we live in Thailand the process should be different and hopefully shorter than 2 years.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pat ********
 thanks, yeah I am not as good as ignoring and hitting the block button as I should be.

The concept of taking out of the country is an interesting one and I hadn't thought about it. I wonder if there is a distinction between domestic guardianship and international something something. I'll talk to a lawyer at some point, but am in USA doing a short work thing at the moment.
9 months ago
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Pat *********
@Jack ***************
 yes I’m currently also not in Thailand. I’m in Spain but we are moving for good on the 31st to Pattaya and when we are settled, I will talk also with lawyers and organizations regarding to adopt a child, but stay together in Thailand. I can imagine that the control and check ups are easier for them to do in Thailand instead of an overseas country.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pat ********
 how much time have you spent in Thailand already? It might not "feel" as real, coming from a western country, but even if you can't adopt it is not difficult to RAISE kids here, so even if the administration is a dead end- you will be able to Do The Good Thing I am sure.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
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William *********
There are sure to be orphans in your own country
9 months ago
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Tulip ********
I looked into doing it but found it to be far too complicated. It involved, the children having no other Thai relatives, being absolutely dependent and the home country bring involved.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Tulip *******
 I agree hard work, but if he successful then life changing for the kids I wish him all the luck
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
 I mean, I'm going to take care of them ANYWAY, it just seems like some things will be easier in a legally recognised guardianship.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Jack ***************
 is your wife any relation,
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
 these are her sister's kids
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Jack ***************
 why not go into your local government registry office, the same office you go to for birth certificates, and ask them for advice, could point you in the right direction, never know unless you try.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@William ********
 I don't live in my own country so... Try again.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Jack ***************
 there's always one Muppet, mate Respect for what you doing, good luck,
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
 there are sure to be people that want your advice in your own country.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Jack ***************
 I don't go back to my own country, for long enough to give advice.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris ********************
 hi Chris, I think I replied on the wrong line. You are swell. Sorry for misdirection my spicy reply.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@Jack ***************
 no problem, like I said full respect to you for what you trying to do.
9 months ago
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William *********
@Chris ********************
 It's actually sound advice, it's expensive and time consuming to adopt in another country, also adopting a child from another culture can have problems. So think about that before hurling abuses you simpleton.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@William ********
 Mr simpleton can you explain children from a different culture, we all should respect the culture of Thailand, my wife is budist and my 2 daughters is Christian and budist, we all go to the temple together, on buda days and we all celebrate Christmas, why don't you and your family celebrate both religion,????
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
@William ********
 you jumped in with both feet saying that they would sure be orphans in your country, you didn't even ask the question, before you assumed, I have a lot of respect for people that are trying to give kids a chance in life, And yes simpleton comes to mind.
9 months ago
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Chris *********************
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Sean ********
Not true. Been there done that. Not easy but yes it can be done.
9 months ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sean *******
 any further insight?
9 months ago
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Sean ********
@Jack ***************
 its such a long story. Lets just say it can be done but your dealing with Thai agencies with a mountain of forms, paperwork and bureaucracy that you can't even imagine.
9 months ago
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Sean ********
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Robert *****
They don’t allow it.
9 months ago
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Gareth ********
@Robert ****
 yes they do. It can take 18 months to two years.
9 months ago
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Robert *****
@Gareth *******
 good to know Gareth. I do remember a few years ago Kim kardasian (Sp) tried to adopt from a place in Bangkok but they said not allowed.
9 months ago
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Bonnie *********
@Robert ****
 Can you blame them?
9 months ago
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Robert *****
@Bonnie ********
 No. I agree Bonnie.
9 months ago
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Robert *****
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