This is for the Thai law firm you need. Moving to Thailand or buying or renting property in Thailand requires good legal advice while in Thailand. Search for a lawyer in Bangkok or a lawyer in Phuket where they will not only know the law but also know most of the property developers as well as the local officials who can provide further guidance when laws do change.
Thai Law Firm
Property Law:
The property market in Thailand is not well regulated and this can offer many problems. There are also no trust accounts in Thailand where the Law Society would cover any losses if your lawyer in Thailand would run off with your deposit. For this reason it is always best to look at established law firms in Thailand who can assist you with your property investments. Thai law does not allow for foreigners to own land in their names. There are other options such as usufructs, registering a superficies where you own the house but rent the land. With any property transaction in Thailand always ensure that you done a due diligence on the property to ensure that what you expect is what you will be getting.
Family Law:
If you are getting married you will need to have your marriage registered. This process will occur in Bangkok as you will require assistance from your Embassy in Bangkok for your “freedom to marry” letter which allows you to get married in Thailand. This gets translated and certified by the Thai Department of Foreign Affairs and then have this registered at the local District Office together with your prenuptial agreement which needs to be registered at the same time. If you are getting divorced then you will also need advice from a lawyer in Thailand. You can either have a settlement by agreement which is easier to do or litigation which tends to be expensive in Thailand. Always take legal advice while in Thailand.
Thai Visa:
There are a number of visa options for Thailand. If you are looking to retire in Thailand then you can apply for a retirement visa. You will need to be older than 50 at the time of application and also meet the financial requirements set down by the Thai government. If you are married to a Thai then a Thai marriage visa will allow you to live in Thailand with your Thai wife. You need to prove that the marriage is real and registered as well as meet the financial requirements. These are the most common extended visas. The Thai business visa is normally used to apply for a Thai work permit in Thailand. Speak to a lawyer in Thailand about your visa options as these are only the most common visas in Thailand.
When in Thailand always seek legal advice for any of your questions. There are a number of law firms in Thailand with offices in Bangkok as well as in Phuket. Search this website for more information.