Marriage in Thailand

Is It Legal? What Is Dowry? How Come?

Wedding Ceremony
Thai traditional marriage ceremony
Ritual of bonding the bride and groom by sacred strings -- a focal point
of traditional wedding ceremony performed in the Northeast of Thailand

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.
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.