Category: Family Law
Abortion in Thailand: A New Law Coming into Effect
The Law at Present Article 301 of the current Criminal Code outlaws all abortions except when the pregnancy endangers the woman’s physical or mental health, she is less than 15 years old or a victim of rape, or when the unborn child is proven to possess serious deformities or disabilities. It imposes maximum imprisonment of […]
Recognition of Foreign Divorce for UK Citizens
In April 1988, the United Kingdom introduced amendments to its Family Law on the recognition of divorces granted to its citizens by foreign jurisdictions such as divorces granted in Thailand. The amendments set standards for the recognition of divorces obtained by means of proceedings, as well as those obtained by means other than by means […]
Thai Family Law: How to Parent with Child Custody
After a divorce in Thailand where there is mutual consent, the terms of divorce may be attached to the divorce certificate and has legal force according to Sections 1566(4) and 1520 paragraph 1 of the Civil and Commercial Code. If the couple has children, then the most important term that is agreed to by the […]
Betrothal Agreements under Thai Law
Under Thai law, a promise to marry creates a legally binding agreement if the groom transfers property called the khongman (a “reverse dowry” or “bride price”) to the bride after the betrothal has taken place. Therefore, as a legal contract, a betrothal gives rise to legal ramifications. According to Sections 1439 and 1440 of the […]
Child Custody Under Thai law
Aside from divorce, child custody proceedings under Thai law may arise where it is alleged that a parent or guardian is not fit or should not be allowed to exercise parental power. Specifically, Section 1582 of the Civil and Commercial Code provides that where a parent or guardian is “adjudged incompetent or quasi-incompetent, or abuses […]
Father of the Child – Legitimization in Thailand
What happens when you find out that you might be the father of a child? This scenario happens very often for visitors who come to Thailand. A visitor comes to Thailand on vacation for some fun and adventure. During his holiday, the visitor meets a local Thai girl. They spend a week having fun and […]
Rights and Duties of a Parent and Child in Thailand
The Thai Family Code spells out the rights and duties of a parent and a child in their relationship. Under Thai law, a child born of a marriage or within 310 days of the termination of a marriage is presumed to be the child of the married couple. If the child is born outside of […]
Marriage Between a Thai and a Westerner
What are the conflict of law issues when dealing with the marriage between a Thai national and a foreigner? When there is a dispute between the laws of multiple countries, Thailand looks at its conflict of law rules. Which court has jurisdiction over the case? Which country’s laws are used to decide the issue? Will […]
Prenuptial agreement with clause that restricts certain behavior of the spouses during marriage
Prenuptial agreements are normally meant for couples to agree on how to divide marital or separate property in the event of divorce. However, an interesting legal issue is whether a prenuptial agreement allowed to have a clause that only restricts certain behavior of the spouses during marriage; for example, is a prenuptial agreement allowed to […]
Divorce Scenarios for Foreign Nationals in Thailand
Siam Legal International receives several inquiries every day regarding the divorce process in Thailand. Most of these cases involve a Thai girl living in Thailand and a foreign national returning back to their native country. We will go through different variations of this fact pattern and try to address the issues. “I am a British […]
