Thailand Updates Rules on Unregistered Cohabitation as Marital Status

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Elizabeth Tsung, Unsplash

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has revised its criteria concerning cohabitation without marriage registration, effective from January 22. These new guidelines, signed by NACC Chairman Sucahart Trakul Kasemsuk and published in the Royal Gazette, align with the amended Civil and Commercial Code, bringing clarity to the status of unregistered cohabitations considered as marital relationships.

 

Known as the Criteria for People Cohabiting as Spouses Without Marriage Registration (No. 2) B.E. 2568, the update supersedes the previous 2561 guidelines. The changes aim to ensure coherence with the revised Civil and Commercial Code (No. 24) of 2567, specifically by repealing Clause 3 of the earlier guidelines and implementing updated conditions.

 

Under the new regulations, individuals cohabiting with state officials, without formal marriage registration, can be recognised as spouses under the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2561, provided they meet certain criteria. These include:

 

 

1. Conducting a marriage ceremony or similar event acknowledged by family or the community, reflecting a traditional marital status.

2. The state official presenting themselves as married or widely accepted publicly in this role, even if previously divorced but continuing to display marital status publicly.

 

These guidelines aim to reflect both societal norms and legal acknowledgment of cohabiting relationships, providing clarity in statuses that affect legal and anti-corruption frameworks. This update signifies a step towards recognising diverse forms of partnership beyond the conventional registered marriages in Thai society, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-11

 

 

[khunjeff]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This update signifies a step towards recognising diverse forms of partnership beyond the conventional registered marriages in Thai society

 

Maybe, but that seems unlikely.

 

Since this is being promulgated by the NACC - not the Interior Ministry - and applies only to state officials, it appears to be addressing some specific way in which officials were carrying out corrupt activities. Perhaps some people were purposely avoiding marriage registration so they could put assets into their partner's name and claim it wasn't theirs?

[redwood1]

This update signifies a step towards recognising diverse forms of partnership beyond the conventional registered marriages in Thai society

 

 

 

So is living with a goat now recognized as a diverse form of partnership......Asking for a friend...

[Zaphod Priest]

The Nation posted on Facebook:
 

Quote

The change aims to provide clarity in legal and financial matters, preventing loopholes in anti-corruption laws related to state officials. This recognition could impact benefits, legal responsibilities, and conflict-of-interest regulations.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1050447393775261&id=100064300317042&_rdr

 

[kingstonkid]

37 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

 

Maybe, but that seems unlikely.

 

Since this is being promulgated by the NACC - not the Interior Ministry - and applies only to state officials, it appears to be addressing some specific way in which officials were carrying out corrupt activities. Perhaps some people were purposely avoiding marriage registration so they could put assets into their partner's name and claim it wasn't theirs?

Someone rich wants to be acknowleded as married to theit mia noi

[ChaiyaTH]

Absolutely freaking great, now I just did family court they come up with this while i did do a Buddhist wedding at the time. So soon the latest addition of the big stack of immigration papers will be that regardless I now did that family court, they also would like that document please. Country of papers.

 

Then in 5 years from now they blame transnational crime groups to abuse this by having 'fake marriages'.

[wombat]

will the Australian governments DSS recognise a jump the broom without having to go through the hoops?

[julsmark]

No Australian government will not recognise a marriage in Thailand unless it is registered. 
I have performed weddings in Thailand as a registered Marriage Celebrant (Australian).

many of my couples would request a small ceremony (10 minutes ) with 2 witnesses containing legal requirements for Marriage in Australia to be registered. 

[SOTIRIOS]

...Under the new regulations, individuals cohabiting with state officials... (?)

...So What Does That Have To Do With The Rest Of The Population..(?)

...Is This Political...(?)

...A 'Tailor-Made' Bill To Buy Loyalty...(?)