Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Are the foreigners finding a sense of peace in Issarn?

By pachangamac042, Created on: 07/03/2009, Last updated on: 14/05/2009

» Dear FOS, I quite agree with you. I-Saan can still be a very charming place, even for me, I do see two different faces of I-Saan. The country side with its villages and the big metropolitan areas. I grow up in a little village with some 500 inhabitants myself. In our village there were more cows,...

• DocN commented : Dear random yes they are a special bunch of people in Isaan. I am making that experience right now. But I guess I mean "special" not in the way you mean it! Let me introduce myself: I am a 42 year old farang from Germany. I came here in Oct. 2007, because I wanted to work abroad and as I spent (business and holiday) a lot of tinme in Thailand and I liked it, I though:"Why not go t a place you like?!". Afte 1 month I met a very nice Isaan girl (guess where? yes, Patpong!) and unfortunately I fell in love with her. Not unfortunately for her or her family, as I was giving her and them, whatever I could. I still love my girlfriend, as she is not the problem. First, I had to learn that her mom married her to a guy she had never seen before, when she was 18. Now...I know that there are arranged marriages, so I was not really shocked. He got her pregnant after a few months and as she was in the hospital, giving birth to their son, her sister saw that guy, running around with other women. (He later confessed that he was f-ing around for a long time already...well...seems not to be a major problem in Thailand or in Isaan, doesn't seem to bother him or anyone else, except my girlfriend, much) She got divorced and now (with a son) she had to go to Bangkok to work, left the son with her mom to get some money! And where does an uneducated woman of 20 years get a job? (Of course: this whole tearjerking story may be a lie and I a just a stupid farang, falling for it...but just assume for a second it was no lie!) Uneducated? Yes- her parents took her out of school when she was 12. Thats how I met her. I have no doubts in her honesty or whatever (stupid or not? not my turn to decide!) After some time we were talking about marriage (mind you it was just talking...not planning) and she informed me, that her mother wanted 500.000 Baht from me, when I married her daughter! 1) This is not rent-a-friend, so I will not pay anything. 2) I hate to talk about a woman like about a used car, but as I understand, this money is a kind of a "reward" for the parents, because they made her daughter to be a good wife, educate her and so on. Now: a girl who is takin' from school at 12 and who works in a bar and who brings a 5 year old son into the marriage...doesn't sound like she (or I) have a lot that we could thank her mom for! (yeah...giving life to her...blah blah...) 2 months ago, her family "comanded" her back to Nong Khai. Her mom was sick (we know, that was a lie!) and as mom took care of her son, it was now her duty to return and take care of mom. (A son that- if I might add- wouldn't even exist, if her mom wouldn't have sold her daughter like a slave, to some random stranger!) But ok- my girlfriend and I decided to make the best out of the situation and see each other every two weeks for a long weekend and call each other every day. Suddenly, my girlfriend told me that her mother wants to get 4000 Baht from me every month. Why? I have no idea and my girlfriend told me, not to worry about it. Now...so you don't get the wrong idea: I am sending /giving my girlfriend money every month for her and her son (and if she gives it to her mom...I can't change it...it's hers) and I pay this and that for her family, make presents to her mom, her sisters, her brothers... Yesterday my girlfriend told me, that her mom took away her ATM -card, ID-card and money, because she doen't want her daughter to go to Bangkok anymore to see me. I have no reason to doubt my girlfriend (maybe you think I should!?)...and as I said: let's assume it is the truth. Where I come from (mother or not) this is called theft and it is close to keeping her daughter hostage. These people know nothing about gratefullness for anything, they have no respect for me (and apart from me, not being willing to pay ridiculous amounts of money, I have never given them any reason to do so) or my girlfriend. Now I am not saying that all people of Isaan are that way and sure, everything may be my fault...but these guys are completely insane! They are not an example for all Isaan people and the guys f-ing around on Patpong are not the example for tourists. I respect everybody and be nice and humble to, if I feel respected. Sure: I may not be 100% familiar with EVERY thai-rule (I am not thai!), but I guess everyone makes mistakes by working abroad. Isaan is NOT the haven of tranquility, Thailand is not heaven on earth! We are all people, we all have to learn and we all make mistakes. But hiding behind "tradition" just to cover up greed...is as bad as thinking that Bangkok is the equivalent of Thailand. No offense!

• 11 replies, 26,253 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Need farangs' suggestion.

By tfeot, Created on: 22/12/2008, Last updated on: 02/08/2009

» Dear All Farang, I have been catching up with all the posts here. Most of the topics here are about Thai wifes/thai girlfriends/bargirls/divorced/money, these are all related issues. Some wondered why Thai wifes or thai gfs keep asking for money and endless supports for the parents, relatives or...

• DocN commented : The traditions in Thailand are much stronger than they are in my country (Germany). And to me, some of them seem so "wrong"! My girlfriend is 25, from Isaan and was married before (arranged marriage, the guy eff'ed around while she was in hospital, giving birth to their son) and we are together for one year. Now her mom is forbidding her to see me and took away her ATM-card, ID and money- because we are together one near and not yet married! Oh...and she wants 500.000 Baht if I marry her daughter! 1) where I come from, arranged marriages are not even allowed! 2) If you are a 25 year old mother in Germany you are an adult and considered to be able to live your own life, make your own decissions. You may be given advise, but nobody can possible tell you who to be with. 3) Where I come from, the behavior of her mother is called "THEFT" and "KIDNAPPING" and is a crime! 4) In Germany, you can be together for 100 years and never get married...no one cares! 5) In Germany you don't pay anything for marrieing, at least not like that! 6) In Germany elders are respected and loved, but the young ones also can ask for respect and for acceptance of their way of life! Now...I am not saying (except for the stupidity and the criminal acts) that one or the other way is better. But I always thought, that if you a inter-cultural relationship, both sides should move towards ecah other! I guess, I was wrong! Oh...by the way: for this past year, I have treated my girlfriend and her son as if we were married. I paid their hospital bills, holiday, gave money for clothes, food, the moved in my apartment and I did not get drunk, beat her up or had other women. Just like a GOOD husband would do...in either country!

• 7 replies, 20,326 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Death of the Thai wife & inheritance regulations?

By Mr. Isaan, Created on: 26/10/2008, Last updated on: 29/10/2008

» What will happen when my Thai wife dies before me? 1. My Non-O-Visa? 2. The house, land, bank account, car, motorbike etc.

• Mr. Isaan commented : I am legally married in Thailand. I have married in Thailand, the certificate was also legalized by the German Embassy. What do you mean registered? I live here on a Non-Immigrant-O, multiple entry, which I get from the Thai Embassy in Germany without problems, before in Penang (after Sept. 2006 they gave me only 3 months). My wife doesn’t have a last will. Bank account two names, either her or me. We have a son, 16 years old, a the moment two citizenship, German and Thai, he goes to school in Germany, he vists Thailand on his school holidays.

• Martinus commented : [quote="Mr. Isaan":212x0mwu]I am legally married in Thailand. I have married in Thailand, the certificate was also legalized by the German Embassy. What do you mean registered? I live here on a Non-Immigrant-O, multiple entry, which I get from the Thai Embassy in Germany without problems, before in Penang (after Sept. 2006 they gave me only 3 months). My wife doesn’t have a last will. Bank account two names, either her or me. We have a son, 16 years old, a the moment two citizenship, German and Thai, he goes to school in Germany, he vists Thailand on his school holidays.[/quote:212x0mwu] If you are really worried and not older than 50 (because than you could go for retirement visa) you could stay here with a visa linked to your son. Also you could try to obtain residency. Costly but you would not have to move. Change ownership of you house to your son, set-up use-fruct and you are good to go She should prepare a will if you do not want to change, or are unable to, your visa If you are over 50 always go for the retirement visa....it is based on you and your income...you can stay here alone when needed or wanted or neccessary. Good Luck

• 7 replies, 12,784 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Basic Questions

By Anonymous, Created on: 22/05/2007, Last updated on: 14/11/2007

» Hi all, Newbie here & to Thai culture in general. I have some basic questions. After 2 marriages I have pretty much decided against any western marriages again. I have talked with a few folks who have been to Thailand & some are getting married. They all say the same thing about...

• Anonymous commented : Hi - I'm new here. I'm Tom from Germany. I can't afford travelling to Thailand just for looking around hoping to find this ONE girl by coincidence. So I entered the site www.ThaiLoveLinks and hoped to get hints in the Ladies profiles. But for me it seems not to be easy to really distinguish and decide, whom to contact. So it's normally the photo leading to the decision. Is there anybody with experiences in this concern ? Which are the keywords to look for - and more important, which are the keywords that really should start the red lamp.... I don't want to get trapped ! I would be happy about any helpful advice. Thanks Tom

• 15 replies, 7,251 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Want to divorce british husband

By Anonymous, Created on: 27/06/2007, Last updated on: 04/11/2007

» I have been with him for 10 months. I'm pregnant about 5 months now. we have been having problem about his lying about his ex wife that he still contact her. Until now his ex wife just sent valentines cards to him and ask him to return to her. he never tell me anything until i found the card....

• Anonymous commented : Wait a minute!!!!!! All readers have assumed that the poster is truthful….. Is it possible that perhaps there is another motive?? Is this a story that we have all heard many many times?? Farang marrying for love, taking her to the UK, America, Germany, trying to give her a good life. And than things go wrong… I would like to hear the other side of the story… Is it possible it goes something like this… I met her in a bar and heard all the stories of Thai women but I married her because I loved her. I give her money each month and I send some to her parents. I brought her to England and did my best to give her the best life possible. I wanted to start a family. But soon after she got to England she started complaining about everything. She spent money foolishly. She did not cook or take care of the house. She became lazy. Now she has heard all the stories of getting divorced and getting my assets that I worked so hard for. She wants to get a divorce, take my money and run back to Thailand. And she wants advice on how to do it… The only advice this reader can give is that most airlines will accept passengers up to their last month of pregnancy. There should be absolutely no restrictions on international travel for someone 5 months pregnant. Ask him for the money. Perhaps he will be glad to get rid of you..

• 18 replies, 7,918 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

where can i buy money tree seeds?

By Anonymous, Created on: 15/03/2007, Last updated on: 21/03/2007

» we,ve all heard the word money tree ,this weird and wonderful plant that seems to be owned by nearly all farangs who are married to a thai lady ,her parents, brothers ,sisters ,and all the hangers on his wife calls friends ,well i,m married just to a thai lady thats all ,but i feel i,m being discriminated...

• Anonymous commented : Yes, I know of the money tree. There are many growing in Pattaya and in the farang areas of Bangkok. Some are even found in Phuket. But those trees are harvested only once per season (the tourist season). Once harvested and the leaves are gone, the tree will usually never sprout forth money again. To get a new crop, a new tree must grow. Seeds of the money tree are not indigenous to Thailand. The seeds come from such far away places as the UK, America, Sweden, and Germany. Some even come from Russia, but they seed from Russia is usually of poor quality and gives forth little money. Seeds from Pakistan or India are even worse. Usually the seeds come into Thailand by air with November, December and January the prime times for the seeds to enter. The seeds grow and give off money very rapidly with two weeks being the normal period. Some however will begin to give off money within a few days. For you farangs who are looking for seeds of the money tree, forget it. The tree will never be found. However, Thai people, particularly young attractive women have a genetic quality where they can smell the tree very clearly. They can usually smell it from quite some distance and are quite adept at harvesting. For the relatives of Thai women, finding the money tree is much more difficult but it can be found. However it is better to let the woman search for the tree. She has better luck.

• 10 replies, 7,151 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

International Marriage - a new type of Human Traffickings

By Anonymous, Created on: 08/11/2006, Last updated on: 08/11/2006

» A female teacher of Ubon was hooked up through the famous international dot com website 'M' marriage/match-making site and met a Pakistan men, who murdered her in Bangkok. A Kalasin prostitute married an American man and moved into New Jersey and finally dumped by the man and she is now...

• 0 replies, 2,508 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Marring a Thia Woman in America - What's needed

By Anonymous, Created on: 27/01/2005, Last updated on: 25/02/2007

» Hi, I want to marry a Thia woman and am looking for some insite to what is needed and what to expect from Thia women and to learn about Thia culture. Also, please express your expriences with Thia culture and women, marring in Thialand or the US and living in Thialand or the US. Thanks

• Anonymous commented : You have to be very careful marrying a Thai. That expensive "dowery" (really a bride-price) is just the beginning !! But $US 150,000 is way over the price - unless she's from an extremely high class family. I gave my wife's family 150, 000 baht when we got married. Many farang since told that was over the usual. Be very aware : 1) few marriages between Thais and farang last. In Germany the divorce rate is something like 90%. 2) a major reason for this is that the Thai family tries to screw the farang husband for as much as they can get out of him (including with threats of murder, which is very cheap in Thailand) - aided by Thailand's laws banning foreigners owning almost anything in Thailand.

• 33 replies, 14,280 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

British Embassy in Bangkok

By Anonymous, Created on: 05/10/2004, Last updated on: 25/02/2011

» In March, my Thai partner wanted to visit me in London. Before granting a visa, the Embassy wanted a mountain of paperwork including proof of my income, whether or not I woned my own home and a whole lot of other things. At this stage, I have to say that we have many controversial issues in the UK...

• Anonymous commented : All you posters complaining below - ought to consider that just maybe the British Embassy knows more than you do. Consider this : You have to be very careful marrying a Thai. That expensive "dowery" (really a bride-price) is just the beginning !! Be very aware : 1) few marriages between Thais and farang last. In Germany the divorce rate is something like 90%. 2) a major reason for this is that the Thai family tries to screw the farang husband for as much as they can get out of him (including with threats of murder, which is very cheap in Thailand) - aided by Thailand's laws banning foreigners owning almost anything in Thailand.

• 64 replies, 66,876 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Thai Divorce law

By Anonymous, Created on: 02/12/2004, Last updated on: 09/01/2009

» I heard from a farang that under Thai law men can divorce women in two days. But for a woman, it takes two years. The reasoning being that women are thought of as temperamental creatures, prone to wild mood swings, who need plenty of time to calm down...

• Anonymous commented : Ian Beale, I am mostly in agreement with you. Right now in the US, the dollar is low. Now in the US, mostly Manhattan, the Europeans are buying every thing they can. I saw an interview with a Dutch woman. She had just bought two, 1 million dollar apartments. She paid 25% more than the asking price 2 months ago. She also stated she wants to buy as many as she can. With them buying up land, the price has gone up. The good part is she can not take them back to The Netherlands, so all the money spent on upkeep and supplies will be spent right here. The State of New York will collect big taxes as will the US Gov. By them buying up the available real estate, more will have to be built, creating more and more jobs. It also helps build allies in overseas countries. If they stand to lose money if we become enemies, they will try to stay friends. With all the strained relations with France and Germany now, you would think their would not be any investors from those countries, but thei is plenty. Some in this forum pray for the collapse of the American economy. They think Europe would be better off. Take the Airbus for example, if the US airlines go belly up, Airbus would not be far behind. The Europeans would suffer just as much. Thailand does not take advantage of the money that would be available if they allowed outsiders to own land. If I could I would build a very nice house between Pathum Thani and Ayudiya. I would let my family stay and take care of it. But it would have to belong to me. I can not take it anywhere. Iwould pay Thais for the material and labor to build it. It would be a win, win situation for Thailand and my family. Why must I own it you ask. As with all families, some times they feud and fight. I would make sure nobody can control the other because of who owns the house.

• 49 replies, 65,617 views

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