Thai marriage has two seperate 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, gradually coincided with the wedding ceremony, if any.
Marriage Registration
Most Thai girls would be very happy to have a marriage ceremony of traditional Thai wedding, although the fact that is not legally recognised as a marriage. The legal marriage in Thailand is effected in person at local Thai called "amphur", a governmental office that handles all registration matters regardless, be it a foreigner marrying Thai, a Thai or foreign couple. The routine of legal marriage registration isn't too complicated. Produce all required documents present them to the officer at amphur, you will have your marriage certificates.
Wedding Ceremony
Thai marriage at large and definitely the ceremony of tradtional Thai wedding interlinked with an ancient traditon called sinsot. A custom of paying a dowry to compensate a family of bride "for mother's milk". A concept of sinsot 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 sinsot. Nowadays, many parents-in-law hand the dowry back to the married couple as a wedding gift, some family do not require a dowry, and some need to keep money. Traditionally, sinsot is reciprocated by the parents-in-law. More often than not, a part of money is used to pay the wedding ceremonies, parties and other related expenses.
Thai marriage at large and definitely the ceremony of tradtional Thai wedding interlinked with an ancient traditon called sinsot. A custom of paying a dowry to compensate a family of bride "for mother's milk". A concept of sinsot 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 sinsot. Nowadays, many parents-in-law hand the dowry back to the married couple as a wedding gift, some family do not require a dowry, and some need to keep money. Traditionally, sinsot is reciprocated by the parents-in-law. More often than not, a part of money is used to pay the wedding ceremonies, parties and other related expenses.
Thai Style Wedding
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 traditional Thai wedding. This marriage is taken quite seriously by all concerned, and regarded as a lifelong commitment made by the couple.
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 not 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 to perform a wedding blessing ceremony. Even it is not directly related to marriage, making a merit ceremony would mean a lot 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.
