Yes thats right!..A Thai tradition many of us in the west would find hard to grasp the concept...Why?, you ask, because Thais believe they entered the world together and in a previous life they were husband and wife. Therefore they have returned to be together again. These 2 cuties are 3 years old.

Ceremonial purposes only. There is absolutely no indication that the young man will be consumating his marriage with his sister anytime soon.

In any case, incest is an accepted practice in Thailand, no matter how PC it is to mention it. It is not unusual for some first cousins to marry each other. The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

Ceremonial purposes only. There is absolutely no indication that the young man will be consumating his marriage with his sister anytime soon.

In any case, incest is an accepted practice in Thailand, no matter how PC it is to mention it. It is not unusual for some first cousins to marry each other. The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

Yes just a ceremonial gesture is correct. Its just for the day.

Ceremonial purposes only. There is absolutely no indication that the young man will be consumating his marriage with his sister anytime soon.

In any case, incest is an accepted practice in Thailand, no matter how PC it is to mention it. It is not unusual for some first cousins to marry each other. The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

I don't think marriage between first cousins, while obviously not the general norm and perhaps abhorrent to many, is all that unusual worldwide. And I don't think it has a very high prevalence of producing off spring with birth defects (though surely more than non-related couples).

Anyway, don't you think you are being a bit too broad when you say, "incest is an accepted practice in Thailand"?

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Edited January 1, 201313 yr by SteeleJoe

The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

In the Middle East and some regions of India they continue to find out. Up to 50% of all marriages are between 1st and 2nd cousins. In the West it's 10%, so very common all over the world but China, and the majority of US states that ban it.

Ceremonial purposes only. There is absolutely no indication that the young man will be consumating his marriage with his sister anytime soon.

In any case, incest is an accepted practice in Thailand, no matter how PC it is to mention it. It is not unusual for some first cousins to marry each other. The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

I don't think marriage between first cousins, while obviously not the general norm and perhaps abhorrent to many, is all that unusual worldwide. And I don't think it has a very high prevalence of producing off spring with birth defects (though surely more than non-related couples).

Anyway, don't you think you are being a bit too broad when you say, "incest is an accepted practice in Thailand"?

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No. It is accepted because of who is involved. i cannot go into more detail due to the forum prohibition on the subject.

That being said, various cultures have a different interpretation of incest.

For example, Pakistanis have a high rate of marriage between 1st cousins. I believe the rate in the UK for pakistani 1st cousin marriages is about 50% of all pakistani marriages. UK Pakistanis also have the highest rate of physical and intellectual disorders of any ethnic group. I attribute that to the marrying of 1st cousins.

Interesting story. In the animal world, In-breeding in the first generation doesn't cause too many problems. It's when it is continued that the problems occur. The problem with breeding siblings is if there are any genetic problems then there is a greater risk that they are perpetuated. However, that is also true for the good traits as well. My only concern is the actual couple themselves as they reach maturity. I'm not much of a fan of arranged marriages. What happens if either of the couple chooses someone else they prefer as a mate? There have been all sorts of problems in India where arranged marriages are common. That has spilled over into Canada where fathers have actually murdered their daughters who fell in love with someone outside the arranged marriage decided by parents without getting the consent of the couple involved.

Ceremonial purposes only. There is absolutely no indication that the young man will be consumating his marriage with his sister anytime soon.

In any case, incest is an accepted practice in Thailand, no matter how PC it is to mention it. It is not unusual for some first cousins to marry each other. The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

I don't think marriage between first cousins, while obviously not the general norm and perhaps abhorrent to many, is all that unusual worldwide. And I don't think it has a very high prevalence of producing off spring with birth defects (though surely more than non-related couples).

Anyway, don't you think you are being a bit too broad when you say, "incest is an accepted practice in Thailand"?

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

No. It is accepted because of who is involved. i cannot go into more detail due to the forum prohibition on the subject.

That being said, various cultures have a different interpretation of incest.

For example, Pakistanis have a high rate of marriage between 1st cousins. I believe the rate in the UK for pakistani 1st cousin marriages is about 50% of all pakistani marriages. UK Pakistanis also have the highest rate of physical and intellectual disorders of any ethnic group. I attribute that to the marrying of 1st cousins.

You can not cite what you are (implicitly) as a norm or something that applies broadly. Obviously I am also constrained in my response.

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Interesting story. In the animal world, In-breeding in the first generation doesn't cause too many problems. It's when it is continued that the problems occur. The problem with breeding siblings is if there are any genetic problems then there is a greater risk that they are perpetuated. However, that is also true for the good traits as well. My only concern is the actual couple themselves as they reach maturity. I'm not much of a fan of arranged marriages. What happens if either of the couple chooses someone else they prefer as a mate? There have been all sorts of problems in India where arranged marriages are common. That has spilled over into Canada where fathers have actually murdered their daughters who fell in love with someone outside the arranged marriage decided by parents without getting the consent of the couple involved.

I think I recall from a long ago discussion and resultant reading on this topic (in relation to European monarchy) that offspring between cousins has something like a 5 % chance of birth defects.

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Ceremonial purposes only. There is absolutely no indication that the young man will be consumating his marriage with his sister anytime soon.

In any case, incest is an accepted practice in Thailand, no matter how PC it is to mention it. It is not unusual for some first cousins to marry each other. The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

We had a situation where 2 cousins were having an affair. It actually broke up a marriage. My wife and her sisters attitude is they behaved worse than dogs. That opinion wasn't down to the marriage failing.

The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

In the Middle East and some regions of India they continue to find out. Up to 50% of all marriages are between 1st and 2nd cousins. In the West it's 10%, so very common all over the world but China, and the majority of US states that ban it.

Such a ban in LOS would ruin show business.

......Such a ban in LOS would ruin show business. ....

What the ??? I don't understand that at all.

I know of a brother who is listed as the farther on birth certificate in Thailand. (His full blood sister is the mother) The reason is that the farther was "unknown" or she didn't like him or some story. The kid is not half farlang.

I was told, (I am not a guru on Thai law by the way) that you have to name a farther for kids in Thailand.

.... I was told, (I am not a guru on Thai law by the way) that you have to name a farther for kids in Thailand.

No, my step daughter has her mothers maiden name.

Interesting story. In the animal world, In-breeding in the first generation doesn't cause too many problems. It's when it is continued that the problems occur. The problem with breeding siblings is if there are any genetic problems then there is a greater risk that they are perpetuated. However, that is also true for the good traits as well. My only concern is the actual couple themselves as they reach maturity. I'm not much of a fan of arranged marriages. What happens if either of the couple chooses someone else they prefer as a mate? There have been all sorts of problems in India where arranged marriages are common. That has spilled over into Canada where fathers have actually murdered their daughters who fell in love with someone outside the arranged marriage decided by parents without getting the consent of the couple involved.

I think I recall from a long ago discussion and resultant reading on this topic (in relation to European monarchy) that offspring between cousins has something like a 5 % chance of birth defects.

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Humans are just a slightly higher form of animal. All genetic traits can be passed on from parents to offspring. That includes the good with the bad. We don't have laws preventing certain parents from passing on their bad genes to their offspring. When you mix the wrong blood types there can be serious complications, but that doesn't stop those people from taking a big risk and producing children with birth defects. Many defective babies are naturally aborted by the body as a foetus, but some women still want the child. Mental retardation can be passed on from parent to child if there is a family history of it. But, we've also seen the results when two athletes get married and their children become champions. There was a whole discussion of why black Americans dominate so many of the sports like American football and basketball. Why do certain African tribes always win the long distance races? The answer is in their genetic history of running. The same is true for the Jamaican sprinters.

Interesting story. In the animal world, In-breeding in the first generation doesn't cause too many problems. It's when it is continued that the problems occur. The problem with breeding siblings is if there are any genetic problems then there is a greater risk that they are perpetuated. However, that is also true for the good traits as well. My only concern is the actual couple themselves as they reach maturity. I'm not much of a fan of arranged marriages. What happens if either of the couple chooses someone else they prefer as a mate? There have been all sorts of problems in India where arranged marriages are common. That has spilled over into Canada where fathers have actually murdered their daughters who fell in love with someone outside the arranged marriage decided by parents without getting the consent of the couple involved.

I think I recall from a long ago discussion and resultant reading on this topic (in relation to European monarchy) that offspring between cousins has something like a 5 % chance of birth defects.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

Humans are just a slightly higher form of animal. All genetic traits can be passed on from parents to offspring. That includes the good with the bad. We don't have laws preventing certain parents from passing on their bad genes to their offspring. When you mix the wrong blood types there can be serious complications, but that doesn't stop those people from taking a big risk and producing children with birth defects. Many defective babies are naturally aborted by the body as a foetus, but some women still want the child. Mental retardation can be passed on from parent to child if there is a family history of it. But, we've also seen the results when two athletes get married and their children become champions. There was a whole discussion of why black Americans dominate so many of the sports like American football and basketball. Why do certain African tribes always win the long distance races? The answer is in their genetic history of running. The same is true for the Jamaican sprinters.

Thank you Captain Obvious!

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Ceremonial purposes only. There is absolutely no indication that the young man will be consumating his marriage with his sister anytime soon.

In any case, incest is an accepted practice in Thailand, no matter how PC it is to mention it. It is not unusual for some first cousins to marry each other. The european royal families found out the hard way why it wasn't such a good idea.

I don't think marriage between first cousins, while obviously not the general norm and perhaps abhorrent to many, is all that unusual worldwide. And I don't think it has a very high prevalence of producing off spring with birth defects (though surely more than non-related couples).

Anyway, don't you think you are being a bit too broad when you say, "incest is an accepted practice in Thailand"?

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

No. It is accepted because of who is involved. i cannot go into more detail due to the forum prohibition on the subject.

That being said, various cultures have a different interpretation of incest.

For example, Pakistanis have a high rate of marriage between 1st cousins. I believe the rate in the UK for pakistani 1st cousin marriages is about 50% of all pakistani marriages. UK Pakistanis also have the highest rate of physical and intellectual disorders of any ethnic group. I attribute that to the marrying of 1st cousins.

You can not cite what you are (implicitly) as a norm or something that applies broadly. Obviously I am also constrained in my response.

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Huhh ? ?

Please guys dont start arguing over this video. Its for cultural purposes, for anyone that didnt know. Lets not sway the subject into talk related to incest. It has nothing to do with the subject video.

Edited January 1, 201313 yr by krisb

Please guys dont start arguing over this video. Its for cultural purposes, for anyone that didnt know. Lets not sway the subject into talk related to incest. It has nothing to do with the subject video.

Unfortunately, krisb, once you start talking cultural and custom differences it opens a big can of worms. What is perfectly normal in one culture is abhorrent in another. It is hard to stay calm and rational when certain topics are discussed. I can name at least 3 or 4 topics that would cause a war between the different sides and points of view.

......Such a ban in LOS would ruin show business. ....

What the ??? I don't understand that at all.

I was referring to the resulting shortage of cretins.

Wife saw it and her mouth stayed open for hours. Complete disbelief.

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/news-articles/60070-thai-man-married-twin-sisters.html

This one i found quite interesting,as long as every one is happy with it it is fine with me.

I was best man at the wedding of my 1st cousins.

Before they married they discussed birth defects with 3 doctors, all of which told them that the chances of birth defects, in relation to a 'normal' birth was neglible and should not be a consideration for not having children.

In the Middle East and some regions of India they continue to find out. Up to 50% of all marriages are between 1st and 2nd cousins. In the West it's 10%, so very common all over the world but China, and the majority of US states that ban it.

Are you seriously trying to tell us that 10% of all marriages in the "West" are between cousins....? lol

Please guys dont start arguing over this video. Its for cultural purposes, for anyone that didnt know. Lets not sway the subject into talk related to incest. It has nothing to do with the subject video.

Unfortunately, krisb, once you start talking cultural and custom differences it opens a big can of worms. What is perfectly normal in one culture is abhorrent in another. It is hard to stay calm and rational when certain topics are discussed. I can name at least 3 or 4 topics that would cause a war between the different sides and points of view.

Ok let me explain the video I have posted.What you are watching is purely a "symbolic" marriage stemming from the Buddhist belief that twins are reincarnated husbands and wifes from a previous life. Thats it. The "symbolic wedding" you have seen here, goes no further than the day of the wedding. I cannot tell you if it is "legally" registered, perhaps someone here can. I however strongly doubt it is. The brother and sister go onto marry whomever they choose later in life. They do not participate in incest like some have thrown the word around in this thread.

On another note, I can name hundreds of topics that would start a 'war' as you put it. Thai visa isnt here for this purpose. Theres no point in arguing with complete strangers on the internet. No one really wins.

Thank you for explaining the video, krisb. I do not speak Thai and it was not explained that this was simply a ceremony and not an actual marriage. It was implied that the marriage was an actual marriage the same as done in a few other countries where arranged marriages are normal.

Did that man who married the snake in Udon Thani 3 or 4 years ago consumate the marriage yet?

We don't have laws preventing certain parents from passing on their bad genes to their offspring.

Not yet, but some people do it voluntarily already. The Ashkenazi carry a horrible genetic disease, the Tay-Sachs. That's a group not known to marry outsiders, one can't say they inbreed, but the genetic variety of this small group of people having married within the community for maybe 2,500 years is small. The are the smartest people alive, a setback is this disease. If a man and a woman both carry the mutation, their offspring has a 25% risk to develope the condition. That's why they test for it, and make the decision to go on or not based on the findings. It's a bit ironic that a Jewish people find a solution in eugenics. Possible that selective breeding based on genetic profiling will make a great comeback.

Does this mean there is a chance that I `ll still be lumbered with the wife in the next life?

Edited January 1, 201313 yr by Beetlejuice

No. It is accepted because of who is involved.

That's just increasingly ancient history.

Edited January 1, 201313 yr by Richard W