Thailand has introduced an important new regulation that directly affects how wills and inheritance-related declarations can be made through government offices: the Thai will ministerial regulation 2569, formally called the Ministerial Regulation on the Making of Wills or the Expression of Intent Regarding Inheritance B.E. 2569 (2026).
This Ministerial Regulation is issued under the Civil and Commercial Code (CCC), Section 1672. It was published in the Government Gazette on 22 January 2026 and will enter into force 60 days later, i.e. from 24 March 2026 onwards. From that date, new standard procedures and official forms will apply to wills and certain inheritance-related declarations made at district offices (amphur) and Bangkok district offices (khet).
⚠️ This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Anyone planning or revising a will should consult a qualified Thai lawyer.
1. Legal background – why this new Regulation?
1.1 Civil and Commercial Code and Section 1672
Thai succession law is governed mainly by the Civil and Commercial Code, Book VI (Succession). The CCC recognises several types of wills (for example, holograph wills, public wills, secret wills, and emergency oral wills) and also regulates statutory heirs, disinheritance and renunciation of inheritance.
Section 1672 CCC authorises the Minister to issue ministerial regulations specifying:
- the method and procedure for making wills, and
- other expressions of intent regarding inheritance,
particularly when such acts are carried out before or through competent administrative officials.
The new Thai will ministerial regulation 2569 is an implementation of that power. It does not rewrite the basic substantive rules on who is an heir or what shares they receive. Instead, it focuses on:
- standardising procedures, and
- introducing official forms and record-keeping rules
for wills and inheritance declarations made via district offices and similar authorities.
2. When does the new Regulation take effect?
The Regulation clearly states that it enters into force 60 days after its publication in the Government Gazette.
- Publication date: 22 January 2026
- +60 days: 24 March 2026
From 24 March 2026 onwards, wills and relevant inheritance declarations made through district offices should follow this new Ministerial Regulation, in addition to the Civil and Commercial Code.
Existing wills that were validly made under Thai law before 24 March 2026 should not automatically become invalid because of this Regulation. However, individuals may wish to review and, where appropriate, update their estate planning to take advantage of the new clarity and formal structure.
3. Overview of the Thai Will Ministerial Regulation 2569
3.1 Official forms for inheritance-related declarations (แบบ พ.ก.)
The Regulation introduces a set of standardised official forms, labelled แบบ พ.ก. (P.K.), to be used for inheritance matters via the district office. These forms are an important practical tool in the Thai will ministerial regulation 2569, because they help reduce technical errors and create a consistent record nationwide.
Key forms include:
- Form P.K. 1 (แบบ พ.ก.1) – Application for inheritance-related declarations
Used to apply for:- making a will at the district office,
- disinheriting a statutory heir,
- withdrawing a prior disinheritance, or
- renouncing (disclaiming) inheritance.
- the applicant’s identity and address,
- the type of declaration requested, and
- a formal request for the officer to prepare or receive the document in accordance with the law.
- Form P.K. 2 (แบบ พ.ก.2) – Civil-document will
This is a model text for a will prepared as an official document at the district office. It includes:- identification of the testator, date and place,
- clauses allocating property to specific beneficiaries,
- appointment of an executor (estate administrator), and
- space for signatures of the testator, witnesses and official.
- Form P.K. 3 (แบบ พ.ก.3) – Oral will in emergency situations
This form is used to record an oral (spoken) will made in exceptional circumstances, where other will formats are not possible.
The process generally requires:- two witnesses who receive the oral declaration,
- a prompt report to the district officer, and
- a written record explaining the emergency circumstances and the content of the declaration.
- Forms for sealed wills and related records
The Regulation also provides wording and structure for:- depositing a sealed will with the district office,
- recording testimony that the envelope contains the will of a named testator, and
- making the proper register entries for will custody and retrieval.
3.2 Alignment with Civil and Commercial Code requirements
The templates explicitly refer to the formal requirements in the Civil and Commercial Code. For example, the civil-document will form contains certifications that the will has been made in line with Section 1658 CCC, which governs wills made before a competent official in the presence of witnesses.
In practice, the Regulation is designed to:
- minimise formal defects that could later invalidate a will,
- ensure that wills made via district offices follow a consistent nationwide standard, and
- clarify the role of officials and witnesses in documenting and safekeeping wills and inheritance declarations.
4. What changes in practice for individuals?
4.1 Clearer and safer way to make a will through the district office
For both Thai citizens and foreigners, the Regulation offers a clear, official process to make a will (or certain inheritance declarations) via the district office using standard forms.
Advantages include:
- Higher evidential strength – the will:
- is drafted according to a government-approved template,
- is read aloud to the testator and witnesses,
- is signed in front of the official, and
- is certified as complying with the CCC.
- Lower risk of technical invalidity – fewer chances of:
- missing signatures,
- incorrect formal statements, or
- ambiguous wording that might cause disputes later.
Quick Comparison: Types of Wills Under the New Regulation
| Will Type | Primary Benefit | Who Keeps It? |
| Public Document | Hardest to contest in court. | The District Office |
| Secret Document | Contents remain private until death. | The District Office (Sealed) |
| Oral Will | For emergency/imminent danger only. | Written record made by Official |
4.2 Oral wills in emergencies – still strictly limited
The CCC already allows oral wills only in very limited, emergency situations (for example, imminent danger of death or similar extreme conditions). The new Regulation does not make oral wills easier; instead, it:
- sets a strict, structured procedure for witnesses and officers, and
- requires clear documentation of:
- the special circumstances,
- the testator’s identity and address, and
- the content of the oral declaration.
This protects the testator’s last wishes while also protecting against abuse or misunderstandings.
4.3 Deposit and safekeeping of sealed wills
For those who wish to keep the content of their will confidential during their lifetime, sealed wills remain an option. The Regulation clarifies that:
- sealed wills can be formally deposited at the district office,
- the officer will make a record of:
- who delivered the envelope,
- who wrote the will (if known), and
- the witnesses’ confirmation that it is indeed the testator’s will, and
- appropriate endorsements are made on the envelope and in the official register.
This improves the chain of custody, which can be crucial when the will is later opened and presented to the court.
5. Impact on foreigners living or investing in Thailand
Many foreigners living in Thailand, or owning Thai assets (condominiums, houses, company shares, bank accounts), choose to make a Thai will to cover their assets in Thailand.
The Thai will ministerial regulation 2569 is particularly relevant for foreigners because:
- It provides a clear official channel
Foreigners may use the district office procedure and forms, where accepted, to create a Thai will that is clearly documented in the Thai system. - Language and understanding
- Official forms and text are in Thai.
- Foreigners should ensure that the content is fully explained to them.
- Using a bilingual lawyer and/or interpreter is strongly recommended.
- Cross-border estate planning
- A Thai will often sits alongside a will in the foreigner’s home country.
- Both wills must be carefully drafted to avoid accidentally revoking each other.
- Coordination between Thai and foreign legal advisors is essential.
- No fully “online will” system (for now)
The new Regulation focuses on:- in-person procedures at the district office,
- written (and sealed) documents, and
- documented emergency oral wills.
6. Practical planning tips (general information only)
If you already have, or are considering, a will connected to Thailand, you may wish to:
- Review your existing will
- Check if it still reflects your wishes.
- Consider whether a new will using the official district office forms would be helpful.
- Prepare a clear list of Thai assets
- Real estate (condominiums, houses, land-related rights),
- Bank accounts and investments,
- Company shares and partnership interests,
- Other valuable rights or claims.
- Clarify beneficiaries and executor
- Decide who should receive which assets.
- Choose a suitable executor (estate administrator), especially if you have both Thai and foreign heirs.
- Coordinate with foreign wills
- Ensure that your Thai will and your foreign will work together, not against each other.
- Seek advice in both jurisdictions.
- Seek professional legal support
Succession law is technical and very fact-specific. Professional help from a Thai-qualified lawyer is highly recommended before signing any new will or inheritance declaration.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Thai will ministerial regulation 2569?
It is a new Ministerial Regulation on the Making of Wills or the Expression of Intent Regarding Inheritance B.E. 2569 (2026), issued under Section 1672 of the Civil and Commercial Code. It sets detailed procedures and official forms for making wills and certain inheritance-related declarations through district offices in Thailand.
2. When does this Regulation take effect?
The Regulation becomes effective 60 days after publication in the Government Gazette. Since it was published on 22 January 2026, it applies from 24 March 2026 onwards.
3. Do I have to use the new official forms for my will?
Not always. The Civil and Commercial Code still recognises other types of wills (such as a holograph will written entirely by the testator). However, when you wish to make a will or certain inheritance declarations through the district office, the new official P.K. forms are intended to be used and will help ensure proper compliance and documentation.
4. Is my existing will invalid because of this new Regulation?
In general, a will that was validly made under the Civil and Commercial Code before 24 March 2026 does not become invalid just because the new Regulation exists. Nevertheless, it is sensible to have an existing will reviewed to confirm that it still works well for your current circumstances.
5. Does this Regulation change who my heirs are or what shares they receive?
No. The Regulation mainly deals with procedures and documentation. Substantive issues such as who is a statutory heir, what shares they receive and how disinheritance works are still governed by the Civil and Commercial Code (Book VI – Succession).
6. Can a foreigner make a will under this Regulation?
Yes, in principle a foreigner with assets in Thailand can make a Thai will using the procedures and forms under the Regulation, if the district office accepts jurisdiction and documentation. Because the documents are in Thai and the issues can be complex, professional legal assistance is strongly recommended.
7. Does this Regulation introduce online wills in Thailand?
No. At this stage, the Regulation focuses on in-person procedures, written and sealed documents, and recorded oral wills in emergencies. It does not create a fully online or electronic will system.
8. What is a civil-document will (เอกสารฝ่ายเมือง)?
A civil-document will is a will made at the district office where:
- the testator declares their wishes to the official and witnesses,
- the official prepares the text (using the official template),
- the will is read out to the testator and witnesses,
- the testator and witnesses sign, and
- the officer certifies that the legal formalities have been met.
This type of will usually has strong evidential value and a clear official record.
How Lex Bangkok can assist
Succession planning in Thailand combines technical legal rules, family interests and often cross-border issues. The Thai will ministerial regulation 2569 adds a new procedural layer, making it more important than ever to structure your estate planning correctly.
Lex Bangkok can help you to:
- Understand how the new Regulation affects your Thai will and existing estate plan.
- Design a clear structure for passing on Thai assets, coordinated with your home-country will.
- Prepare bilingual documentation and support you at the district office, using the new official forms.
- Work with foreign counsel to minimise conflicts between Thai and overseas inheritance laws.
If you are a foreigner living, working or investing in Thailand and want to ensure that your assets are passed on according to your wishes, we invite you to contact Lex Bangkok for a tailored consultation.
info@lexbangkok.com