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What procedures are followed when a foreign person dies in Thailand?
foreign deathThailand death proceduresembassy notificationdeath certificatecremation in Thailandlast will instructionstransporting remainsThai funeral customs
Jul 24, 2025
9 months ago
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTERwhat happens when a foreign person dies in Thailand? who is informed.. ?? for example.. is the Embassy of the home country informed? Is there a death certificate created? Are your last will instructions usually followed if funded? What if you are alone? Tia
TLDR : Answer Summary
When a foreigner dies in Thailand, several protocols are followed. The embassy of the deceased's home country is notified and will provide a list of companies to transport the body back home. Families are often shocked by the costs associated with repatriating a body, and many may choose to leave the remains in Thailand, where they are typically buried or cremated after a certain period. Civil matters concerning the deceased's estate are left to their family, as embassies do not assist with these issues. A death certificate is issued, and if the individual has a will detailing their last wishes, those are typically honored if the family can afford it. If one passes away alone, discovery may be delayed, especially in rural areas.
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Chuck *********
As a rule if you die outside of a hospital then they must send the body to Bangkok for an autopsy (family pays) If in a hospital then not required.
Candace *********
where are you from?
Tony ******
Get cremated and get someone to post you home.
Judy *******
@Tony *****
If you've been cremated why take your bones somewhere else? (they are not ashes here)Reply to
Judy *******
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Marco *******
I saw one of their "cemeteries" in Isan. If I stay in Thailand, I'll book one if I can.
Tez ******
I want to be burnt wherever I will lay.
Frank **********
Depending on where you live, such as a rural area, you might not be found for awhile.
Gerg **********
I just made a will for my assets to be given to my Thai wife if I pass away. I told her to have me cremated here in Thailand.
Reinhard ********
@Gerg *********
So did I.Budistic ceremonial includet.Alastair *******
@Gerg *********
i have similar plan. Since we contribute to the village fund that pays for party and funeral when someone dies then they can do that for me when is my turn.Chris *********************
@Alastair ******
we do the same.Reply to
Chris *********************
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Helen ********
@Gerg *********
wise decision.Max *************
@Gerg *********
You also need to go to your bank branch and sign your wife up as beneficiary.Chris ********
@Max ************
Went to BAAC today to get form and they said "If my wife knows my pin she can withdraw the money a bit at a time, or get a lawyer if she wants it in a lump sum!" Seems a bit odd!Matts *************
@Chris *******
make sure the wife knows both the PIN code and the expiration date of your cardmy friend lost over a million baht when her late husband’s atm card expired
Reply to
Matts *************
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Peter **********
@Max ************
you need to have a will to determine beneficiariesMax *************
@Peter *********
The opening post was about a will, and I said he also needed to visit his bank to add a beneficiary. Get it? BUT, I've been asked more than once at Bangkok Bank if I want to add a beneficiary when I've opened new accounts like my FDA's. I have no will.Tony **********
@Max ************
the will prevents a long probate period upon your death. Even if a beneficiary is listed with the bank, the account will be frozen until probate completes. A will in the hands of a lawyer will ease that process.Max *************
@Tony *********
Yes, I agree. But it's quite common that people who have a will also have listed a beneficiary.Reply to
Max *************
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Chris ********
@Max ************
Thanks, didn't know that!Reply to
Chris ********
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Jeremy ********
The embassy is informed and the family of the deceased are usually provided with a list of companies that will transport the body back to their homeland…suffice to say many families are shocked by the cost to bring the body home, so in many instances it’s left behind and usually after a while the country where the person expired in is buried or cremated
Civil matters are left to the family to deal with, no embassy will help with that
Hope this helps
Civil matters are left to the family to deal with, no embassy will help with that
Hope this helps
Barrie *********
@Jeremy *******
The Embassy will be notified so the Govt can stop the Pension!!!Jeremy ********
@Barrie ********
if you are old boggy to receive pension most countries have an age limit for a fed govt sponsored pension usually 62-70 year old…But even if you aren’t that old they will still contact the next of kin
It’s not just old people that expire it’s everyone
Reply to
Jeremy ********
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Av **********
@Jeremy *******
if they find your body -Jeremy ********
@Av *********
valid pointReply to
Jeremy ********
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John *******
@Jeremy *******
I had a Norwegian coworker pass away when I lived in Mongolia. It cost 90,000USD to ship her body home. She was insured, so she got shipped, but many people don’t realize the costs and don’t have repatriation insurance.Benjamin *********
@John ******
well that's insaneJeremy ********
@John ******
this is why family members get shocked at the price and just leave it where the person expired There are loans and non profits that will help but it usually doesn’t cover the entire cost
When you expire you are officially coded as cargo so the air companies will charge at hazmat cargo rates and the prices get crazy
John *******
@Jeremy *******
would never want my family to take out a massive loan for my dead hunk of meat. Cremate me and leave me hereReply to
John *******
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