Legally, a Thai man can only have one wife under Thailand's monogamous Civil and Commercial Code, as bigamy is a criminal offense; however, polygamy is still culturally practiced and tolerated, especially through unregistered "side wives" (gik) or religious unions, with Muslim men in the South having legal privileges for multiple wives with a priest's approval.
According to the publication, the "lucky" man met his eighth and final wife, Nong Mai, during a vacation in Pattaya. Surprisingly, four of his wives had accompanied him during the trip when he fell in love once again. 'A very caring man' The secret to his successful marriage seems to be his charming yet caring nature.
Yes, foreigners can legally marry in Thailand, whether they're marrying another foreigner or a Thai national.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Thailand since 23 January 2025. The Marriage Equality Act, supported by the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and major opposition parties, was introduced to the National Assembly in November 2023.
A marriage cannot take place if the man and woman are blood relations in the direct ascendant or descendant line, or brother or sister of full or half blood A couple of persons who are related by blood as direct ascendants or descendants or as siblings of whole or half blood cannot marry each other .
Such unions are not recognised under Thai law, which states, "A man or a woman cannot marry each other while one of them has a spouse."
Extended stay in Thailand: With a Thai Marriage Visa, you will be able to stay in Thailand for up to 1 year; however, you must obtain a re-entry permit if you wish to leave Thailand and return without losing your visa.
Unmarried and living together in Thailand? A cohabitation agreement can provide crucial legal protection for you and your partner, especially for foreigners. Thailand's vibrant culture and welcoming atmosphere attract many foreigners who find love and build lives here. Often, this happens without formal marriage.
Sex reassignment surgery is legal in Thailand, however, Thai law does not allow for gender to be changed on legal documents such as birth certificates. Sex reassignment surgery is legal in Thailand, however Thai law does not allow for gender to be changed on legal documents such as ID.
Thailand's Marriage Equality Law is set to take effect on January 22, 2025, making the country the first in Southeast Asia, the third in Asia, and the 38th globally to legalize same-sex marriage. Officially known as the Amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code Act (No. 24) B.E.
Thai culture, although rooted in Buddhism, bears prominent Hindu influences. Monarchs are named after the Hindu god Rama, and their epic is the Ramakein, a Thai adaptation of the Ramayana.
Tanutchai was born in Bangkok, Thailand to a Thai-Chinese father and a Thai-Indian mother. He is the third child among his siblings, one of which is Chalida Vijitvongthong (Mint), an actress and model.
A typical dowry for a Thai wife coming from a middle-class family and is educated with a university degree in Thailand can be worth about at least 100,000 to 300,000 baht.
At 6 PM in Thailand, the Thai national anthem plays from loudspeakers in public places, on TV, and radio, requiring everyone—locals and tourists—to stop what they're doing and stand still out of respect for the nation and monarchy until the music finishes, symbolizing national pride and unity, with similar observance at 8 AM.
As such, public displays of affection are frowned upon by most Thais. While it is acceptable to hold the hand of your other half in public, kissing and hugging should not be done; in temple grounds, everything, even holding hands, is considered quite improper.
Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code currently reads as follows: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
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Thailand has a significant population of transgender women (ladyboys or kathoey) due to a unique blend of historical acceptance, a fluid cultural view of gender less influenced by Western binaries, and the role of Buddhism, which promotes tolerance, though some interpretations link it to past karma. This cultural environment allows for greater visibility and acceptance of gender non-conformity, with kathoeys working across various sectors, particularly in entertainment, tourism, and beauty, making their presence more normalized than in many other countries.
Some background on The lady boys of Thailand
Many lady boys or Kathoeys as they are also known, dress as women and undergo feminizing medical procedures such as hormone replacement therapy, breast implants, genital reassignment surgery, and Adam's apple reductions.
Limit Public Displays of Affection: Thailand is for the most part conservative regarding public displays of affection. While hand-holding is usually accepted, more intimate gestures such as kissing, may be frowned upon. Displays of affection may even attract negative attention.
Thailand Marriage Registration for Indian Nationals is possible whether you are marrying a Thai citizen, another Indian, or a citizen of a different foreign nationality.
There are plenty of great destinations when solo travelling to Thailand. Cities like Phuket and Chiang Mai are great for street food, nightlife and cultural landmarks, while islands like Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phangan offers a taste of beach life and water sports.
▼ Is everything split 50/50 in a Thai divorce? Only marital property (Sin Somros) is split equally when the court divides the estate (civil code sections 1533–1535). Personal property (Sin Suan Tua)—owned before marriage or received as a gift/inheritance, stays with the owner if proven (section 1471).
The 400,000THB financial requirement is just one of the two financial requirements, the other one is 40,000THB monthly income. If you have more questions kindly contact our support at [email protected].
While the specifics may vary based on your reasons for applying (investment, employment, family ties), here's a general list of requirements you must meet to be eligible for Thai Permanent Residency: Be at least 14 years old. Pass a criminal record check and provide fingerprints. Complete the application form.