Wedding Gifts..

[taurusguy]

I'm invited to a wedding of a Thai friend in january 08. As this is my first time attending a wedding of such, I need some advises on any do's and don'ts and suggestions on the wedding gifts. thanks alot....

[Stephen Cleary]

Here's the basic guidelines.

Most of the time, Thais don't give wedding presents as such, they give cash instead.

Depending on the location of the wedding and your social status, your cash donation helps to assist in the funding of the actual wedding ceremony/party.

You should place the cash in the same envelope as the invitation (as this envelope states your name and so they'll know how much you gave!) and put it in the donation's box when you are asked to sign the 'Congratulations' book when you enter the party.

[taurusguy]

Thanks.....that would helps.Do you know how much 'farang' gives on average?

[Stephen Cleary]

Thanks.....that would helps.Do you know how much 'farang' gives on average?

I thought that you'd ask that!

It really depends. Are you close to your friend? Where is the marriage taking place? If it's at a nice hotel, then around 500baht is a decent amount. If it's in a rural village, then 200baht say.

If you are the manager of some big company and he is one of your staff, then you are looking at 1,000baht plus. Some fancy rich foreign company owners who came to my wedding party, gave 5,000baht each.

One of the reasons Thais want to know how much you give is because of local custom. If you give say 500baht, then on the occasion that you invite him to one of your parties (wedding, ordination, house-warming etc...) then he will be obliged to handover the same amount - 500baht.

[Mosha]

We give on how well we know them, if friends. Sometimes you get invited because you are friends of friends etc.. 200 Baht if not personally known to us, or not close friends. 500 Baht for good friends, and 1-2000 Baht for family. You in return will probably given a keepsake of the event, a small gift.

Edited December 4, 2007 by Mosha

[Rhys]

Wedding gifts....you'll see the basket or box .... for the bride and groom.. it is guarded... Put your wedding invitation with a 1000 baht note.. and you're peachy king.. Well Done..

Cheers..

Edited December 4, 2007 by Rhys