and Les Strouse
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Marriage Usually easy, done at the local District Office (Amphur) and simply a registration of a marriage ("jot tambien"). A foreigner may need a form letter, notarized, from his/her embassy stating that they are not currently married and are legally able to be married.
Children Born in Thailand Children born in Thailand of a foreign father and a Thai mother may hold dual citizenship . Application must be made with the local district office/amphur. With many countries, however, the USA for example, the children are U.S. citizens. A "report of foreign birth abroad" must be filed with the U.S. Consulate, and may be similar with other Embassies.
Divorce Uncontested divorce between foreign and Thai spouses is relatively simple, just a reverse of the marriage registration. Do this at the District Office (Amphur). A contested divorce is rather more complicated, must be done at a Thai court, and really requires the services of a Thai lawyer. It is possible, is some circumstances, to obtain a divorce from a Thai spouse in your home country.
Wills & Estate Planning To be legal, a will must be registered at the District Office (Amphur). A Thai woman cannot leave property/land to a foreign man. Other assets may be willed to a foreign spouse.
Employment This can be difficult. Expats are expensive to maintain by the employer and there are thus not many local positions available. Virtually all will require a Thai work permit, which is available on legitimate request from the employer. There are many expats living in Thailand but working outside the country such as, for example, in oil exploration related fields. It is possible to teach English, French, Japanese, etc, to supplement other income, but if you don't have teaching credentials, the pay is pretty slim.
Other Information Much is available on the Internet. Check these
- Bangkok Post http://www.bangkokpost.net
- The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.com
- E-Thailand http://www.ethailand.com/ (check the "lifestyles" section)
- Thailand Search Engine http://hotsearch.bdg.co.th/
- NECTEC http://www.nectec.or.th/
- Thai Embassy, Wash DC. http://www.thaiembdc.org/index.htm
- www.bangkokatoz.com
- Stickman's Guide http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Gulf/6413/ (with a grain of salt)
- Escape Artist, Living in Thailand http://www.escapeartist.com/Thailand/Thailand.html
Mac Thompson and Les Strouse have lived in Thailand since the Vietnam era. Both are professionals and gentlemen and I am fortunate in knowing them.
There is gold in these pages. Mine it carefully.
