Lalida revealed that the Ministry of Interior has issued a new ministerial regulation regarding wills, allowing applications to be submitted at any district office or area office nationwide. It will take effect on 24 March to facilitate the public and reduce future inheritance disputes.
On 18 March 2026, Miss Lalida Pertwivatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Ministerial Regulation on Wills or Expressions of Intent Regarding Inheritance B.E. 2569 (2026) will come into force from 24 March 2026 onward. This marks a significant update after the previous regulation has been in use since 1960, over 60 years ago, to better align with current circumstances and further ease the process for citizens.
The deputy spokesperson said the regulation covers procedures related to the urban written will and the secret written will formats, which are processed through district officers or government officials. The steps and criteria have been revised to be clearer and more modern.
A key improvement is increased convenience, allowing citizens to submit their will applications at any district office or area office nationwide without residency restrictions, thereby reducing bureaucratic steps and complexity.
Additionally, the regulation standardizes identity verification methods for testators nationwide, such as checking ID cards, passports, or other official documents containing photos and identification numbers, to minimize risks of document forgery.
Regarding witnesses, the new regulation requires at least two witnesses who must present themselves and sign in front of the district officer, enhancing security and enabling future verification.
For this type of will, the testator may request to keep the original will themselves, while the district officer keeps a copy, providing more flexibility in document storage.
The regulation also standardizes application forms and supporting documents nationwide and specifies who has the right to request copies and certifications, such as the testator, estate managers, or heirs, to ensure clearer procedures.
The fees have been adjusted to suit the current economy after more than 60 years without changes. For example, the fee for making an urban written will at a district office increased from 50 baht to 250 baht, and the fee for copying and certifying documents rose from 10 baht to 50 baht.
“This new ministerial regulation will make the process of creating wills more convenient, transparent, and standardized for the public, reducing future inheritance disputes and aligning with today’s social conditions,” Miss Lalida said.