Would like some guidance here.  In thailand if an engagement breakup is mutual before the wedding, what is the custom and the law regarding the return of the engagement ring to the donor.  The ring was bought and given in the USA where the laws are that the ring must be returned, but in Thailand, what laws would apply as the ring is in thailand now?

If it is mutual I think you sacrifice the item as a gift. If she calls it off I think it's right to give it back as it's kind of a contractual symbol IMO. No idea in Los.

I am under the impression that marriage in Thailand is solely a paper issued by the amphur. Dowry may be covered by tradition but engagement and a ring, as far as I know, is not part of any Thai tradition. Considering a man gives his woman this ring I would imagine any Thai woman would say, it was a gift its mine.

My understanding is that if in the case of the payment of a dowry or the purchase of any "kong mun" (items of engagement) before marriage, there is no requirement on the part of the lady to return it if the man calls things off or it's called off by mutual agreement.  If, however, she does something which could reasonably be considered as reason to call the wedding off, then she has to return all dowry / "kong mun" and there may be an expectation that she should pay back what she was given x2 or x3 as compensation for loss of face for what has happened

Clearly a gift here.    Perhaps you should consider kidnapping her ( if she is not in the US),  take her back to the US where, if what you say is correct, demand the return of the ring !!

 

Or else just put it down to experience, and next time, if you are so mercenary about giving gifts to people you love at some stage in your life,  just get engaged to yourself !!!

1 hour ago, drvin said:

the return of the engagement ring to the donor

A strange turned of phrase....seems you "donated" it to the person concerned?

There is no law that an engagement ring must be returned. It is treated as a gift. People with a sense of ethics would probably return the ring, but those are in short supply these days.

Are you for real 

You bought her a ring & now you want it back - Maybe the other people you read about that have lost a lot more will come in & advise (Oh guess what, I am one of them ), & as it was only money it means the wife NO HAVE (common phrase in Thailand )

 

First of all she should use a 3 x 2 bit of wood when you ask for it back 

 

2 nd thing is she would of seen it as a gift & since being of value could hock it if needed  

https://www.thailandlawonline.com/thai-family-and-marriage-law/family-law-sections-marriage-and-engagement

 

Section 1439 and 1440 appears to support mstevens post #4. I would say that if the woman calls off the engagement, she should return the ring. The over-arching principle in play here is that no one should receive undue enrichment in the process.

10 minutes ago, BEVUP said:

Are you for real 

You bought her a ring & now you want it back - Maybe the other people you read about that have lost a lot more will come in & advise (Oh guess what, I am one of them ), & as it was only money it means the wife NO HAVE (common phrase in Thailand )

 

First of all she should use a 3 x 2 bit of wood when you ask for it back 

 

2 nd thing is she would of seen it as a gift & since being of value could hock it if needed  

None of this matters... 

 

The Op wants to know what his legal options are, if there are any. 

 

The ring could be viewed as a contract which if broken should be returned... I'm not privy to the Thai law on this.

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

None of this matters... 

 

The Op wants to know what his legal options are, if there are any. 

 

The ring could be viewed as a contract which if broken should be returned... I'm not privy to the Thai law on this.

& I suppose he had a Prenupt 

I think some people should join the real world

1 hour ago, mstevens said:

My understanding is that if in the case of the payment of a dowry or the purchase of any "kong mun" (items of engagement) before marriage, there is no requirement on the part of the lady to return it if the man calls things off or it's called off by mutual agreement

If a woman/family claims things that are not true to enhance her 'Sin Sot' then that is fraud. Examples being she claims to be a virgin, has a Uni degree, has never been married before etc etc the 'Sin Sot' has to be repaid. You don't pay top wack for fake items.

I think the OP got off easy.

4 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

I think the OP got off easy.

Yes

I suppose  if he built the house & bought the car after they were married then it might be worth it 

1 hour ago, bkkgriz said:

There is no law that an engagement ring must be returned. It is treated as a gift. People with a sense of ethics would probably return the ring, but those are in short supply these days.

In the US there some States where laws demand the ring be returned. Those States see the rings as a conditional gift for an agreed upon marriage. However, there may be exceptions; usually depending upon who cancels the wedding. If the decision to cancel the wedding were the giver of the ring, then the ring may be kept. If the decision to cancel the wedding was the recipient's or if it were a mutual decision, then the ring should be returned. However, other states say a gift is a gift.

https://family.findlaw.com/marriage/what-happens-to-the-engagement-ring-in-a-broken-engagement.html

Up to the Lady if she wants to give it back or trow it in the Shitter, you gave it you lose it it's Hers to do what she likes

4 hours ago, drvin said:

what is the custom and the law regarding the return of the engagement ring to the donor.

Rings aren't in Thai culture, so there won't be any custom relating to that.

However, gifts to a promised spouse are conditional on the marriage taking place, and should be returned if she changes her mind, but not returned if you change your mind.

2 minutes ago, car720 said:

An engagement ring is not a friendship ring.

This is Thailand, I've never heard of engagement rings!

If you do not go ahead and get married with either you or her calling it off, anything you gave her will be gone. Even if you went to court to get it back she can just claim you were at fault for the wedding getting called off and will be your word against hers......

In the US it depends on the state and the circumstances if the ring is returned or not. If the guy breaks off the relationship without a good reason (cheating) then he forfeits the ring. If the girl calls off the wedding without a good reason then she is obligated to return the ring

 ''the law regarding the return of the engagement ring''

Thailand not being a ''nanny'' country all i can do is laugh.

40 minutes ago, car720 said:

An engagement ring is not a friendship ring.

darn tootin cowboy...it signifies one step away from not giving anymore BJ's.....pmsl

43 minutes ago, car720 said:

An engagement ring is not a friendship ring.

Duh, it don't matter, where I come from ,if the lady gets pissed of whatever it is an engagement or friendship, ring, a ring is a ring and she Will toss it

Good luck either way. For me I would just let it go. 

Such a funny thread! I mean a ... ring ?


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You gave the woman your promise of betrothal in the form of an engagement ring, now you've changed your mind and you want it back?

 

LOL

3 hours ago, Vacuum said:

I think the OP got off easy.

So you mean, she wasn't smart enough to take him to the cleaners, like her sisters.

 

I agree with you.

 

Another lesson learnt by yet another falang!!

When I gave my future wife her engagement ring I told her it belonged to her  whether we eventually got married or not.  I don't know what other men say.

Would like some guidance here.  In thailand if an engagement breakup is mutual before the wedding, what is the custom and the law regarding the return of the engagement ring to the donor.  The ring was bought and given in the USA where the laws are that the ring must be returned, but in Thailand, what laws would apply as the ring is in thailand now?

How romantic a man you must be. You wouldn't happen to be a lawyer by chance [emoji848]

The ring was bought and given in the USA where the laws are that the ring must be returned, but in Thailand, what laws would apply as the ring is in thailand now?

 

In the US, an engagement ring is considered a gift and does not have to be returned. The only exception I know of is the State of Florida. 

Same applies here in Thailand.