Thai newlywed woman left in debt after dowry promise broken

[snoop1130]

 

A 21 year old Thai woman from the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet accused her former father-in-law of failing to honour a promise to pay a 280,000 baht dowry, leaving her and her family in debt.

 

The heartbroken woman, 21 year old Maengpor, urged Channel 7 to bring her case to the renowned lawyer Paisarn Ruengrit, as she wanted a lawyer experienced in similar cases to help her recover around 280,000 baht from her ex-husband and his family.

 

Maengpor told the media that she had been in a relationship with her ex since they were 19 years old, when they were both first-year university students. They decided to hold a wedding this year, despite still being junior students. The man’s father then offered her a dowry of 200,000 baht in cash and 81,000 baht worth of gold.

 

Maengpor emphasised that neither she nor her family requested the dowry but that the father offered it. The wedding was scheduled for April 21 at her home in Kamphaeng Phet, which also happened to be the birthday of her ex’s father.

 

Maengpor disclosed that, the day before the wedding, the father told her he was unable to provide the promised dowry. This prompted Maengpor’s mother to sell her gold for 80,000 baht and borrow 200,000 baht from a relative to ensure the wedding could go ahead.

 

 

 

 

The ex’s father promised to return all the money within 15 days after the wedding but he disappeared and did not answer his phone once the wedding was over. They later reached an agreement regarding the debt but the ex’s father paid her only 28,000 baht before vanishing again.

 

Ex dreams of reunion

 

Maengpor revealed that she decided to end her relationship with her ex and get a divorce. Although they continued to see each other at university, he attempted to win her back by claiming that his father, a construction contractor, had been deceived, leading to the loss of all his money.

 

After the story went viral on Thai social media, the father gave an interview to Channel 3, stating that his construction site faced several issues. He explained that he had tried to resolve these problems and submitted the work to receive payment, and that he had already informed Maengpor’s family about the situation.

 

He added that he had numerous expenses and was still unable to repay the money, describing himself as being like a beggar, pleading with those around him for money to buy food.

 

Maengpor’s ex told the media that he still loved her and wished to reunite but admitted he had no money. He said he would try to work to repay her.

 

Maengpor has not yet confirmed whether she will pursue legal action against her ex and his father.

 

By Petch Petpailin

Photo via DailyNews

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-09-10

 

 

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[petermik]

And here's me thinking that only love matters.....☹️

[brianthainess]

This practice is medieval, I will never understand why so much money is spent for these weddings, that sort of money would be better spent on a house. 

[Kenny202]

I don't understand? They borrowed the 200+ k from relatives and cashed in the gold but the wedding never went ahead. So they borrowed money to pay themselves a dowry? huh? Surely they can just give the money back and buy the gold back or has it been pessed up the wall already? Why do I not feel sorry for them? If wedding arrangements already made the 28k he gave them should cover that. If her dowry was 200k I doubt it was a flash expensive wedding

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

This practice is medieval, I will never understand why so much money is spent for these weddings, that sort of money would be better spent on a house. 

This also seems to be normal in "the west" these days - at least for some people.

Like, spending a couple of monthly salaries for a wedding is "normal".

Sad.

[Doctor Tom]

Just now, OneMoreFarang said:

Like, spending a couple of monthly salaries for a wedding is "normal".

'Couple of months' is a cheap wedding nowadays.  Upwards of £30K is not unusual in the UK. Madness 

[kickstart]

5 minutes ago, Kenny202 said:

I don't understand? They borrowed the 200+ k from relatives and cashed in the gold but the wedding never went ahead. So they borrowed money to pay themselves a dowry? huh? Surely they can just give the money back and buy the gold back or has it been pessed up the wall already? Why do I not feel sorry for them? If wedding arrangements already made the 28k he gave them should cover that. If her dowry was 200k I doubt it was a flash expensive wedding

I would say they borrowed the money to prevent loss of face.

Often why the dowry is so high is the cost of the meal for all the relatives and friends, normally the night before, you get 3-4 hundred people to feed that does not come cheap. 

[Kenny202]

Just now, OneMoreFarang said:

This also seems to be normal in "the west" these days - at least for some people.

Like, spending a couple of monthly salaries for a wedding is "normal".

Sad.

Yeah its ridiculous. Those big formal weddings aren't even enjoyable. Long long day. Most of the guests have to kill hours during the day here and there while photos are done etc. I still miss the weddings back in the day at the local hall....women would bring food, couple of kegs for the gents and punch and wine casks for the ladies. They were a lot more fun particularly when a couple of uncles got a few too many grog's under the belt and a punch on ensued lol

[Kenny202]

Just now, kickstart said:

I would say they borrowed the money to prevent loss of face.

Often why the dowry is so high is the cost of the meal for all the relatives and friends, normally the night before, you get 3-4 hundred people to feed that does not come cheap. 

I must have been to 30 Thai weddings and never seen more than 100 people there, and that may be stretching it. A lot of hangers on and village drunks but more than 100 is ridiculous

[ikke1959]

People don't marry for love they marry for the dowry.. Time to end this medieval practice..And most people don't even marry for real, but only ceremonial. If they had a legal marriage things would become much different

[billd766]

1 hour ago, kickstart said:

I would say they borrowed the money to prevent loss of face.

Often why the dowry is so high is the cost of the meal for all the relatives and friends, normally the night before, you get 3-4 hundred people to feed that does not come cheap. 

It is not just the food but also the rental of staff, tables and chairs, bottles of whisky, soda, beer, water ice and soft drinks for the children. Music and a clear up crew the next day all mount up,

 

Sometimes you can get the drinks on (sort of) credit until they count the unopened ones for the returns, so you only pay for what is actually drunk.

[still kicking]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

This also seems to be normal in "the west" these days - at least for some people.

Like, spending a couple of monthly salaries for a wedding is "normal".

Sad.

I spend 500 $ on my wedding 

[ukrules]

Isn't selling women illegal in some way?