Divorce in Thailand

[faq2mfh]

My wife and I have been contemplating (for lack of a better work) getting divorced. She is a Thai national and we were married in Thailand. I never registered the marriage in my home country (Canada). I don’t know if that makes any difference… We own two properties in Hua Hin and I’ve agreed to give them to her as settlement.
If we were to divorce in Thailand with agreement on settlements would we have to go through a lawyer and court proceedings? If not, how does it get properly documented? I’m not familiar with divorce proceedings anywhere? I was once told that divorce lawyers don’t exist in Thailand.

I would certainly appreciate any info/advice on the subject…

[Condoking]

My understanding is that, providing that you both agree to the divorce and have an amicable settlement, no need for Lawyers. Simply go to the "Divorce Court" top floor of the new building diagonally opposite the Tessabarn. Take your marriage certificate and passport with you and they will do everything and give you each a divorce certificate all for the princely sum of 76 Baht.

[faq2mfh]

Thanks Condoking, very helpful..

OK, one more question; my son was born in Thailand and holds two passports/nationalities, and is 10-years old. When does the mandatory military service start? I guess what I’m asking is when does he have to decide/register?

Regards

Fred

[PeteC]

I think it's 21 for the draft, but at 18 a boy can enlist if he wants to. Pete

[kendo]

Hi Faq, with respect why offer up two property's because if you have children there will always be a finacial commitment on top.
Regarding Pete's comment the draft at 21, it is a lottery red or black ball out of a box, pick the red in you are in the army for two years and eight months, my younger stepson 16, in october is allready going to army collage, the older lad now 19 drifts from jobs in Bangkok now getting married for the second time "yeah ok" more money but by 21, every Issan mums wish is for there sons to join the army or be a monk for a year.
I need to co-ordinate my time back in Surin to make sure i go to his draw.
Kendo

[faq2mfh]

It’s an old hand-shake agreement between my wife and me. If she still agrees, at the point of getting divorced, to leave me alone forever I would give her both houses. If she decides she wants other assets than the gloves come off and I’ll make sure she gets what she truly deserves.
I don’t want to get into an eye poking contest with the wife for sake of my son.
What happens if my son decides not to take part in the lottery? Would he lose his Thai status? Could he wait and see the color the ball first and then decide?

[PeteC]

.......What happens if my son decides not to take part in the lottery? Would he lose his Thai status? Could he wait and see the color the ball first and then decide?

First off, he needs to be in a Thai house registration book or in some way recorded as being in Thailand. I don't believe they use birth certificates as the source document, as each province has these military lotteries at different times of the year, and they use their provincial residency records.....that would be house books and who is in the family, and what age. If a boy doesn't show up, they come and get him, and pretty swiftly I understand. There is no lottery for him then, he's in. If the boy picks a red ball, he's in....no choices.

I don't know the answer about "Thai status" if he avoids it by using his other citizenship and not being in Thailand, or not being in anyone's house book. Pete

[PeteC]

.......further to above. There is an interview and examination process after a boy picks a red ball. Of course if they find he is unfit for any reason, he's released. One of those reasons could be that he is not fluent in Thai if he has lived somewhere else for most of his life. If he can't understand and speak the language, they couldn't train him and he basically couldn't function in a military environment. Pete

PS: Forget about wearing a dress, wig and makeup to the ball lottery, that's been tried many times.

[sargeant]

There is another option at some point 15 years old i seem to remember he can do what i would describe as army cadets course at school i believe it lasts 2 years or so and he is then excempt from the lottery. I had my stepson signed up for it, another casualty of his mothers gambling addiction.
Ref divorce i got divorced in jan this year we went to the Amphur and everything was done and dusted in one hour we both had to sign a document that said we would not claim on each other.

[faq2mfh]

I believe that’s the case although My son hasn’t lived in Thailand for some time. So, I’d have to make sure he’s removed from the Thai house registration. Would that keep him from becoming a candidate for the military lottery?
My son speaks Thai fluently and I’ve made a point for him to be connected with his roots. But that’s it. I don’t think joining the Thai military would add much value.
I am very thankful for any info. I truly appreciate the feedback. This forum has helped me often over the years. Again, thank you very much...

[PeteC]

.......So, I’d have to make sure he’s removed from the Thai house registration. Would that keep him from becoming a candidate for the military lottery?........

In my opinion yes, but it would be good to hear from others as well. I'm going on what I've discussed with others over the years. The Amphur office will want to now what happened to him. I'm not sure what you tell them other than moved permanently to another country. The only deletions I've seen in writing were due to death, marriage and the wife went to the husband's book, and a son moving to his own residence and starting his own book. Pete

[kavan]

do you have blue bock

[faq2mfh]

Not really sure what my wife has... I think it’s the Thai home registration thing and my son would definitely be on it.
I only have one kid and wouldn’t give him up to god or country... I was raised to believe in both but I’m old now and don’t believe in either...