If you planning to get marry in Thailand and are unsure about the procedure, let us help you. Whatever you plan a big wedding or a simple lawful Registration contact us and will assist you with our express service. (To get married, legally and correctly, takes at least 2 days) Speaking of marriage, there are two separate matrimonies taken place in Thailand. One is reckoned as a Buddhist religious ceremony of traditional Thai wedding with several unique rituals observed step-by-step.
The other is a legal process of marriage registration. The official proceedings of legal marriage registration quite often are preceded, followed, or gradually coincided with the wedding ceremony, if any.
To comply with Buddhist religious beliefs, most Thai girls (and especially the parents) would be very happy to have a marriage ceremony of traditional Thai wedding, albeit the fact that it is not legally recognised as a marriage. The legal marriage in Thailand is effected in person at the local Thai 'Amphur' (Civil Registry Office), a government office that handles all the registration matters regardless, be it a foreigner marrying Thai, a Thai or foreign couple. The process of marriage registration isn't too complicated. Produce all required documents, present them to the officer at Amphur... and shortly after, you'll have a marriage certificate, which is recognized as such by the authorities of Britain, France, Germany, Australia, the USA and likely many other countries. Although one shouldn't enter into that procedure lightly. For the sake of tranquility, you will be better off contacting the experts info@visa2britain.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , who specialize in the preparations of all relevant provisions, including translation and certification of all required documents. A complete service of marriage registration between a foreigner and Thai is only THB 15,000 (~US$385.00). The prenuptial (premarital) agreement binding under the Thai law* could be arranged upon request.
Since the counties with an Anglo-American based legal system viewed marriage as a matter of contract between two consenting adults, the terms of "marriage contract" are dictated by the laws of the country (state) where the married couple live, unless they have a prenuptial (premarital) agreement containing different terms. A prenuptial agreement based on the Thai law not only shall preclude unwise or undesirable consequences, but also may entail rather noticeable privileges.
According to Thai customs, a couple traditionally become engaged during a ceremony known as 'Thong Mun'. This is literally the giving of gold by the prospective groom to his fiancee. Parents, friends and relatives will attend this ceremony. In place of a diamond ring as common in the West, Thais opt for the gold, normally in the form of jewellery. Actually, it is almost 96% pure gold made in Thailand. When traded locally, its weight is measured in 'Baht'. One Baht of gold is equals to 1/2 a troy ounce or 15.2 grams. In practice, an odd number is never given (as it were for a couple), so the minimum should be two Baht of gold.
Whether it's traditional or official, the Thai marriage involves an ancient tradition called 'Sinsod'. A custom of paying a dowry (or dowery) to compensate a family of bride "for the mother's milk". There is no set amount, the sum is typically determined on the one hand by the suitor's wealth (and Thais by and large reckon all 'Farang' - a Thai name for caucasians, as rich and wealthy), and on the other hand by the "value" of the future wife. Her beauty, personality, background, education and other qualifications, if she is a virgin, or has got a child and so forth. As an aside yet practical for some fellas comment, and without any attempt to overlook the value of Thai brides, a dowry is normally waived in case of re-marriages.
Nowadays, many families hand the dowry back to the couple as a wedding gift, some families do not require a dowry, and some need to keep the money. Dowries range from THB 50,000 up to 250,000, although this last figure is rarely asked for, except the marriages amongst celebrities being motivated by extraordinary figures to create sensation.
In the past and until today Thai women often forgo the official marriage registration for a variety of reasons, in particular because they loose many legal civil rights. Instead, they prefer to perform a ceremony of traditional Thai wedding. This marriage is taken quite seriously by all concerned, and regarded as a lifelong commitment made by the couple. In the eyes of the Buddhist religion, the marriage is recognized and sacred, albeit the fact that in contrast to other religions, a religiously sanctioned marriage is void in Buddhism. Thai Traditional wedding ceremonies and rituals need not be conducted in the presence of monk and are usually performed at someone’s home. Simply put, there is no such thing as "Buddhist Wedding Ceremony", and if monks are present at the wedding, they are not directly involved. If monks are invited, which is happened quite often, there always should be an odd number: 3, 5, 7 and the maximum could be 9 monks.
According to the Buddhist faith, to assure a lifetime of love marriage or what is called "a marriage made in heaven", there is an old Thai ritual of 'Merit Gift' -- a donation to the local Wat (Buddhist temple) to perform a wedding blessing ceremony. Even it is not directly related to marriage, a merit-making ceremony would mean alot to the bride-to-be and in turn to her family, to have a gift made in their name by you. It shows that you care about her religious beliefs, value the Thai ways and respect Thai culture.
Last will and testament.
It is very important, to make a last will, for you and your partner in Thailand. If something should happen to your girlfriend/boyfriend. To problem for you, is that as a foreigner, you don’t have the same legal rights under Thai law. So if you have a house or land etc, in you Thai partners name, then if something should happen to them. Your Thai partner’s family can take everything that was in your partner’s name. (Including your house, bank account, land, and new pick-up truck etc.)
As a foreigner, we are so busy enjoying ourselves in Thailand, we forget that we have to protect ourselves. The sunshine & wonderful lifestyle can get the best of us. Plus, if there is any confusion when someone dies, and a last will, has not been made. The Thailand government can step in, and seize everything, to stop any arguments!
If you have any more questions about making a last will and testament, please contact our office.……
Last Updated ( Friday, 17 April 2009 10:19 )
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