the Government of Thailand

“ While the said Act’s criteria as to the usage of middle name is defective, as it fails to prohibit the usage of another’s last name as one’s own last name which would lead the general public to the misunderstanding that the person in question is entitled to use such last name. Furthermore, the existing procedure on the registration of last name is not in line with the electronic system of public service, and the exclusive title of an applicant for registration of any last name to permit another to use such last name would bring about a practical problem following the applicant’s death. ”

“ As a woman widowed by death of her husband should be entitled to choose whether she would continue to use the last name of her husband or use her former last name instead according to her personal need or desire, it is therefore necessary to enact this Act. ”

“ No middle name may be attacked by the disqualification set forth in paragraph 1, or may be identical to the last name of another, save where either spouse adopts the last name of the other as his middle name or where a child uses the former last name of its parent as its middle name. ”