One of the most common challenges faced by foreign families is that they may not know exactly what assets the deceased owned in Thailand. In many cases, heirs are aware that the deceased lived, worked, or invested in Thailand, but have little information regarding bank accounts, real estate, company shares, vehicles, or other assets.

The good news is that Thai law provides mechanisms for a duly appointed estate administrator to investigate and collect information relating to the deceased’s assets.

Who Has Authority to Search for Assets?

Generally, banks, government agencies, and private institutions will not disclose confidential information to family members simply because they are relatives of the deceased.

In most cases, a court-appointed estate administrator will be required before third parties are willing to release information or transfer assets.

Once appointed by the court, the estate administrator may request information and documentation from relevant authorities and institutions for the purpose of administering the estate.

Where Should Asset Searches Begin?

A preliminary investigation often includes the following:

Real Estate and Condominiums

Searches may be conducted at the relevant Land Office to determine whether the deceased owned land, condominium units, or registered property rights in Thailand.

Bank Accounts

The estate administrator may contact banks where the deceased was known to have conducted business. Additional clues may be obtained from bank statements, correspondence, tax records, mobile banking applications, or personal documents.

Company Shares and Business Interests

Where the deceased owned or participated in a Thai company, corporate records maintained by the Department of Business Development (DBD) may reveal shareholdings, directorships, and other business interests.

Vehicles

Ownership information regarding registered vehicles may be available through the Department of Land Transport.

Contracts and Personal Documents

Lease agreements, insurance policies, utility bills, tax filings, correspondence, and digital records often provide important clues regarding undisclosed assets.

Can Lawyers Assist with Asset Searches?

Yes. Lawyers frequently assist estate administrators and families by conducting due diligence investigations, reviewing available records, obtaining official searches, and coordinating with government agencies and financial institutions.

Where the deceased was an expatriate or maintained assets across several jurisdictions, legal assistance can be particularly valuable in identifying assets that may otherwise be overlooked.

How Long Does an Asset Investigation Take?

The timeframe varies considerably depending on the circumstances.

Where the family possesses basic information regarding the deceased’s affairs, preliminary searches may be completed within a few weeks.

More complex investigations involving multiple properties, numerous financial institutions, foreign documentation, or incomplete records may require several months.

Practical Guidance for Families

As a first step, families should gather all available information concerning the deceased’s activities in Thailand, including:

• Passport copies;
• Thai visa records;
• Property documents;
• Bank statements;
• Tax records;
• Company documents;
• Insurance policies;
• Mobile phones and computers (where lawfully accessible);
• Contact details of accountants, lawyers, property managers, or business partners.

The more information available at the outset, the faster and more cost-effective the estate administration process is likely to be.

Early consultation with an experienced probate lawyer can help families identify potential assets, understand their legal rights, and avoid unnecessary delays in the administration of the estate.