Sebastien H. Brousseau
Canadian expat in Thailand
Forum posts
24
About me
Canadian
Lives in Thailand
Speaks French, English, Thai
Registration: 30 April 2025
Buying Condo Bangkok by Francesco Stefan
Hey everyone!I’m hoping for some advice from fellow expats who’ve gone through the condo-buying process in Bangkok. I’m looking for a trusted but affordable legal service to help me make sure I’m doing everything ...
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Wife wants Divorce
Amphur divorce ends the marriage the day it is registered. The Non O that was based on that marriage does not keep running as if nothing happened.Full disclosure: I run ThaiLawOnline.What to expect:1. Once the divorce is stamped at the amphur, ... Read More
My Thai Wife Died
Duncan, I am sorry about your wife.Full disclosure: I run ThaiLawOnline, so wills, usufructs and estate files are part of our normal work. Here is how the pieces fit, since one reply above may have worried you for nothing.Your usufruct did not end ... Read More
Advice for living in Thailand by alexlock101
Hello, I'm looking for any advice on the best route to take to be able to live in Thailand.
@alexlock101 since you need to work here, the visa question is really a work permit question. Thailand separates the two: the visa lets you stay, the work permit lets you work, and working without one can mean a fine, deportation and a ban. That ... Read More
Moving to Udon Thani bureaucracy and regulations by paulwiddowson1
Hello, My name is Paul and I hope to marry my Thai fiancee at the end of the year and subsequently move to Udon Thani. I am retired and have been to Udon many times. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the bureaucracy,regulations,etc regarding this.Any ...
Hi Paul, there are two separate tracks here, and it helps to keep them apart.The marriage. A Thai marriage only exists once it is registered at a district office (amphur). A ceremony in the village is lovely but has no legal effect on its own. For ... Read More
Rental nightmares in Thailand by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in Thailand can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected roommates, or ...
Not a story, but a short checklist that prevents most of the problems people describe here when renting a condo:Check who you are dealing with. Ask for a copy of the condo title deed (Or Chor 2) and the owner's ID or passport, and make sure the name ... Read More
Non o visa by mascot64
i am in aus at the moment but i am returning to renew my marriage visa and stay in thai I am doing my non o 3 month visa but they want a return flight but i will be staying what do i do
@mascot64 on your last question: the yearly extension based on marriage is filed at your local immigration office before your current permission to stay expires. Many offices accept it from 30 days before expiry; ask yours.On the marriage side, have ... Read More
Thai marriage by North24
I married a Thai. I know that if we divorce I will have to share or give everything I bought at that time. Assuming that we divorced and manage to put some of my tha bank account to my country :Can they ask the money backAfter the divorce how long ...
Hello,Under Thai law, assets acquired during the marriage are generally marital property ("sin somros") and are divided equally on divorce. Assets each of you owned before the marriage, or received by gift or inheritance, are personal property ("sin ... Read More
Family Lawyer by thailanderphotography
Good afternoon I need a lawyer in Thailand specializing in Thai-Wester family problems, involving a child, who is honest and reasonably priced, can someone help me about that ?? Thanks.
Hello,Finding an honest, reasonably priced family lawyer is a fair request. Here is a short checklist that works whoever you hire:1. Ask who will actually handle your file, and check that a Thai licensed lawyer will sign and appear in court. You can ... Read More
Where should US man get married to Thai lady?
[Post under review] Read More
Divorce while absent by Vaughan12
Hello, my wife and I want a divorce. I have not seen her since August 2018, and she tells me a lawyer can do this, it will cost 20,000 THB. So far so good. I'm happy to pay that.BUT - I'm not allowed to contact this lawyer. Seems very fishy to ...
Hello Vaughan,Your instinct is right. Here is what decides your options:1. If the marriage was registered in Thailand and you both agree, you can divorce by mutual consent at a district office (Amphur). It needs a written divorce agreement signed by ... Read More
Required docs for condo ownership by scbrock
HelloI had a rude awakening recently. I went to immigration to apply for the 90 day visa and one of the requirents was a bluebook with registration and title deed. Well, come to find out all I have is the lease agreement. Its for leasehold status. I ...
The key point: a lease is not ownership. If you only have a lease agreement, you don't have a condo title deed in your name, so you can't show one to Immigration. What you can usually show is the registered lease itself. Ask the Land Office for a ... Read More
Marrying an Isaan girl by ngly
Hi there. I get to know an isaan girl and we are marrying next year somewhere on april 2027. Have read about the legislative requirements on the martiage procedures. However, i am undecided whether to engage a legislative firm to handle the ...
Congrats on the wedding! You can do the paperwork yourself if you have time. The usual path is:1. Get a document from your embassy in Bangkok confirming you are free to marry (ask the Singapore embassy exactly what they issue).2. Have it translated ... Read More
Thai Lawyer Holding Company by Duncan Pauline
Hi guys, I could do with some advice please. My Thai wife sadly died last August, as part of our retirement plan, I bought a house in Hua Hin in her name. I had wills for both of us. I needed to go to court in Nov and was granted Administrator of ...
Do not own land in a Thai company with fake nominees. There is a crackdown at the moment.https://thailawonline.com/thai-nominee-shareholders/if you are executor, sell the property and lease anywhere else. Read More
Legal services in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello, Legal services can be a headache when you don't have the relevant and necessary information, especially upon moving to a new country. Please share some tips regarding legal services in Thailand. What types of legal services might an ...
@Sebastien H. Brousseau Thank you for the info I drew up my own will, and no need to pay any Thai lawyer for a will There are also many pro forma wills on the internet even in Thai - @barrytaylorYou can also make your own food and no need restaurant ... Read More
Legal services in Thailand
[link under review] is fantastic. English, French, Thai. Last Will at 3,900 baht. That's lower than other law firms. Hundreds of reviews, 19 years of exprience. Read More
Legal services in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello, Legal services can be a headache when you don't have the relevant and necessary information, especially upon moving to a new country. Please share some tips regarding legal services in Thailand. What types of legal services might an ...
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Divorce while absent
Previous link is ThaiLawOnline. Read More
Divorce while absent by Vaughan12
Hello, my wife and I want a divorce. I have not seen her since August 2018, and she tells me a lawyer can do this, it will cost 20,000 THB. So far so good. I'm happy to pay that.BUT - I'm not allowed to contact this lawyer. Seems very fishy to ...
These are good divorce lawyers:*** Read More
Getting a TIN by JonSt
One of my banks back in Denmark is asking for a TIN as I earn interest rates with them. I have just recently moved to Thailand on a retirement visa and therefore not been here for more than 180 days. I want to avoid paying taxes in Denmark and am ...
You need to apply in person at the Revenue Department office that has jurisdiction over your residential address. In Bangkok, you can apply at any area revenue office or branch office, regardless of where you live. In other provinces, you should ... Read More
Reporting a Death by WiredTight
I recently found out the a Friend of a Friend has cancer. His remaining days most likely are measured in days, if not months. From what I been told, he's had a long, adventurous life, and he's as positive as he can be. I consider myself a healthy ...
There is a very good article from ThaiLawOnline about "What happens to foreigner when they died in Thailand". Have a look. I do not think I can put the link here. Read More
Change to different Visa by North24
Hi having a spouse mariage visa can this one be changed to a retirement visa. Do I have to wait until the end of one year ?Thanks
Yes, you can change from a marriage visa (Non-Immigrant O based on being married to a Thai spouse) to a retirement visa (Non-Immigrant O based on retirement) without waiting for your current visa to expire. This change can typically be done from ... Read More
TDAC arrival card by Richard Bierdrager
I came to Thailand with my parents at the age of 3. I have all the necessary documents for permanent residence, including a work permit. I haven't traveled for a while, therefore, I need to complete a TDAC arrival card online. The problem I am ...
There was a post from immigration today saying there is a fake website about the TDAC. Be careful. Read More
List of Prohibited Jobs for westerners in Thailand by LuisF
For all those who are keen on working in Thailand, be aware that there is a list of jobs were, you, as a westerner will not be able to get a work permit. The List is taken from The Thai Labor Department Website -http://www.mol.go.th/- 1.- Labour ...
This is an old list and not updated. Labour department made a new list of 27 prohibited jobs.Information can be seen online here with a link at the end: *** Read More