@Danny ******

Then your advice should be to live here a while (a few years), rent first and also explain the differences with the real estate situation with their home country.

Then it could be that they decide to rent instead. Or it might still be a good decision to buy.

Just saying "NEVER buy" doesn't make sense.

@Steve ******

just not true. Using the word "never" is such a dramatic exaggeration. It all depends on a lot of variables whether renting or buying would be preferable.

@Danny ******

"Never" is just not true. Depending on one's situation, the choice of condo, etc.. it can definitely be better to buy instead of rent. It just depends on several variables, and because we don't know OP we can absolutely not give advice whether to rent or buy.

Not being able to sell is also a myth. Again, depends on the project and location and price.

@Dave *********

You are absolutely correct of course : no medical proof you are sound of mind is required for a will to be valid.

Article 1704 in the civil and commercial code of Thailand (ป.พ.พ) states (my paraphrasing) that a will is void if the testator was deemed incapable by court. For all others, they are considered sound of mind unless it can be proven they weren't at the moment of making the will. Thus the burden of proof lies with those who may claim the testator wasn't sound of mind.

Source of the exact Thai law : มาตรา 1704

@Lynnette ******

Tulip is correct here though. Handwritten all by yourself, dated and signed. That's all what is needed. The photograph is not necessary but a nice idea.

Completely legal and correct. (Assuming here that the one writing is at least 15 years old, and there wasn't a court ruling to being unsound of mind..)

There are other types of will also (5 in total), and that's what is making people here confused. Because they are familiar with another type of will, they think that THAT type is the only correct one - which is not true.

@Dave *********

That is not correct. No embassy is involved. No need to file your will to register. Of the 5 types of will specified in Thai civil law, only the last 3 need registering. The first 2 (specified in มาตรา 1656 and 1657 respectivally) do NOT need registering at the district office, and you can even write them in another language, though for smooth execution Thai would obviously better.

@Kevin ********

According to Thai civil law, unless the testator was declared by court to be not sound of mind which would void the will, claims that testator was not sound of mind at the moment of making the will, needs proof to void the will (meaning the burden of proof lies with those who claim that the testator was not capable of making a Thai will at the time that will was made). Found it in มาตรา 1704

@Nongnuch *******

The misunderstanding comes that you rely upon an English text instead of the actual Thai written law. I rely upon the actual Thai language written law.

1656 precedes 1657, 1658,... but doesn't "govern" or define 1657, ...

There are 5 different types of will

Section 1656 describes the first type of will, commonly known as พินัยกรรมแบบธรรมดา Here the testator can sign or even thumb print a printed will, with 2 witnesses.

Then section 1657 describes the second type of will, commonly known as พินัยกรรมแบบเขียนเองทั้งฉบับ --> this is the handwritten will we're talking about, thimbprint is not allowed. (Wouldn't make sense since this has to be completely handwritten by the testator)

These first 2 wills don't need registering. And the handwritten type (2nd type) doesn't need witnesses either.

Then there are 3 more types :

3.พินัยกรรมทำเป็นเอกสารฝ่ายเมือง --> 1658

4.พินัยกรรมทำเป็นเอกสารลับ --> 1660

5.พินัยกรรมทำด้วยวาจา --> 1663

You can't rely on English versions of the law you find on the internet. The English version is just a "more or less" translation with mistakes.

@Nongnuch *******

Aha, I see where the misunderstanding comes from :

You used section 1656, which is for the first type of will, which needs 2 witnesses. This is for a printed will. And furthermore you used an incorrect English text, not original Thai.

Handwritten will is section 1657, which doesn't need witnesses.

@Nongnuch *******

website from the bureau of registration administration (สำนักบริหารการทะเบียน) about Thai wills :

The section about handwritten will :

2] พินัยกรรมแบบเขียนเองทั้งฉบับ

หลักเกณฑ์การทำ

1. ต้องทำเป็นเอกสาร คือ ทำเป็นหนังสือ โดยจะใช้ภาษาไทยหรือภาษาต่างประเทศก็ได้

2. ผู้ทำพินัยกรรมต้องเขียนด้วยลายมือของตนเองทั้งฉบับจะพิมพ์ไม่ได้ เพราะฉะนั้นผู้เขียนหนังสือไม่ได้ ไม่สามารถจะทำพินัยกรรมแบบนี้ได้ -->> พินัยกรรมแบบนี้จะมีพยานหรือไม่มีก็ได้ เพราะกฎหมายไม่ได้ห้ามไว้ <<--

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