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Probate is the Thai court process that appoints an administrator of the estate. The administrator collects the deceased's assets in Thailand and hands them to the heirs. A will does not skip this step: if it names an executor in another country, do not assume that executor can deal with Thai assets — a bank account, a condo, shares in a Thai company — on that appointment alone. Check whether a Thai court needs to appoint them, or someone else, as administrator before anything is done.
Where heirs run into probate
The word usually comes up at a Thai bank or when a condo is being transferred. Before money is released or a unit changes hands, the bank and the Land Office typically ask whether a court has appointed an administrator. We cover the condo side, including the one-year sale rule and the 49% quota, in our guide to inheriting a Thai condo as a foreigner. Shares in a Thai company work a little differently: the company can register the heir directly on proper evidence of inheritance (Civil and Commercial Code, s. 1132).
Administrator vs executor
A will names an executor — the deceased's own choice. A Thai court appoints an administrator. If the executor was appointed outside Thailand, don't assume that appointment is enough on its own: a UK grant of probate or US letters testamentary, for example, needs to be checked against the Thai court appointment requirements before anyone deals with a bank account, a condo or company shares. If you're planning ahead, our guide on Thai will vs home-country will explains what to consider when making a separate Thai will for assets in Thailand.
What to check before filing
Before going to court, we advise checking three things.
- Whether there is a will, and where it was made.
- Which law governs the estate. If foreign law applies rather than Thai law, it has to be proved in the Thai court — otherwise the court applies Thai law (Supreme Court of Thailand, Decision No. 4027/2545).
- Whether the overseas documents are ready. Until 28 February 2027, documents are legalised through the embassy chain; after that date, an apostille should replace it for countries where the Convention is in force between them, unless a state has objected.
Probate is one part of the wider task of estate administration for foreigners. Tell us about the situation, and we'll answer within 24 hours and explain what needs to happen next.
