Marriage in Thailand

Marriage in Thailand
Traditional Wedding Ceremonies
Thai Customs and Rituals
Is It Legal? What Is Dowry? How Come?

Speaking of Thai 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 an official procedure of legal marriage registration. A procedure of the legal marriage registration quite often are preceded, followed, or gradually coincided with the wedding ceremony, if any.

Wedding Planning

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 recognized as a marriage. The legal marriage in Thailand is effected in person at the local Thai amphur (Civil Registry Office), a governmental office that handles all registration matters regardless, be it a foreigner marrying Thai, a Thai or foreign couple. Marriage certificates issued in Thailand are recognized as such by the authorities of Britain, France, Germany, Australia, the USA and likely many other countries. In fact, we know of none it will not be legal.

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 jewelery. 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.

Dowry – sinsod

Thai marriage at large and definitely the ceremony of traditional Thai wedding interlinked with an ancient tradition called sinsod (sinsot). A custom of paying a dowry (dowery) to compensate a family of bride "for mother's milk". A concept of sinsod was initially brought in to ensure that one's daughter does not marry below her potential standing in life. To stipulate that her social, financial and professional status and reputation is preserved and secured.

Before the in-law family accepts you they should know who you are and whether or not you are a suitable suitor. There is no set amount for sinsod, the sum is typically determined on the one hand by 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 the Thai brides, a dowry is normally waived in case of re-marriages.

Nowadays, many parents-in-law hand the dowry back to the married couple as a wedding gift, some families do not require a dowry, and some need to keep the money. Traditionally, sinsod is reciprocated by the parents-in-law. More often than not, a part of the money is used to pay for the wedding ceremonies, parties and other related expenses. Dowries or sinsod payments range from THB 50,000 to 250,000 and up, although these upper figures are rarely asked for, except the marriages amongst celebrities being motivated by extraordinary figures to create sensation.
In the past and until today, for the most part wealthy Thai women often forgo the official marriage registration for a variety of reasons, in particular because they loose scores of legitimate 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 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 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.