Getting married in Thailand

[mikemac]

Best of luck to the op, hope all works out well for you.

The best advice I can give you is - If you are going to take advice from cynical, bitter and twisted old expats who are single or divorced because they deserve to be, then move your family to Australia.

[eero]

Hello my advice is do not buy condo or House rent a House you can get in Isaan about 3500 Bath pro month.

And wait 5 years, when everything is ok with wife and her mother, father and brother.

And if you have together children then you can think about by land and make house or by condo.

And by car in your own name. You need living confirmation (adress) from your lockal police. And then you can register the car in your own name.

I have so many frends who have lost everything to Thais.

One frend from Germany was married 14 years and after make house(2 million) and go to furenal mama him into Germany and wife sell everything and go away.

Be very carefully with Thais and never trust them.

Best regars

Eero from Isaan

[SOTIRIOS]

Buy a condo and put it in your own name. Do not buy any property which is not solely in your name, and effectively in Thailand that means only a condo is available to you.

If after a few years of living here and getting to know the place you decide to put a house into your wife's name then up to you. I think though, that if we were to have a poll on Thaivisa about newly marrieds putting a house into the wife's name it would come back universally negative.

...it must be purchased before marriage...otherwise she gets half no matter what...if not all...if something befalls you...

[SOTIRIOS]

.........try to keep some of your assets away from Thailand and inaccessible to your wife...as...something might go wrong....and you very well could end up with nothing....

.....this is a common plot line in thailand...it has nothing to do with cynicism..........

[laislica]

Like my dear old Mum used to say:-

It sounds easy - when you say it fast!

I remember reading a post from a retired Aussie who married and took his bride back to his home town.

He proudly told the authorities that he was now married and gave all the details.

Next month, his pension was severely reduced.

He inquired <deleted>? and was told that since his wife was a young lady, she was expected to work and support him......

(and I thought that the UK were hard when they freeze the pension for folk who live in the LoS full time)

Also find out just how expensive it will be to do the following:

1 Make your Affirmation at your embassy, if previously married you must produce the original divorce certificate.

2 Have the translation of the marriage Certificate made and then verified by the Thai MoFA´s.

3 Have the translated Marriage Cert Legalized by your embassy.

4 The cost to obtain the DSI clearance report - takes about three weeks to get.

5 A medical certificate.

6 Costs of getting a visa.

7 In Aus, what do you have to do to have her stay a long time. In Spain you would have a whole heap of hoops to jump through, the translated marriage cert would need to be also legalized by the Madrid MoFA (incurrs courier and legalization fees) and then "Recognized" by the Brit Consul 250Km away and a personal visit necessary (so you can both swear an oath on a bible, that in it´s self may pose a problem for some non-Christians) as well as the €243 fee etc. etc. but that is Spain, for you it is hopefully less, but do find out all the implications because the time factor to get a visa may be significant.

The time to complete registration back home may have restrictions etc. I am retired so it´s not been too much of a problem to spend all our time tied up jumping through hoops, but you may be working and that could make it much more stressful.

8 Do you need to buy private health insurance, in Spain you do.

Anyway, all the best to you all and may the paperwork be easily completed.

[weescotsguy66]

In 10 years your gf has not discussed your rights to you what you can and cannot do this to me is a red flag, everyone from the highest perch to the lowest knows the rules for Farang, and she would have discussed them with you, for your retirement and you overall plans for the rest of your life.

Think best to say your looking for the right house right area and don't invest too much initially so you can walk away if it goes belly up.

[johnlandy]

Will I be able to be granted residency in Thailand? No, not without qualifying.

You can apply for 12 month permissions to stay with 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank or 40,000 Baht income a month.

Can I open bank account in Thailand? Yes. You can do that without being married.

I guess I still cant purchase home but what about townhouse? You can purchase a condo. No need to be married.

You can buy a house and put it in your Wife's name.

You can buy a house and put it in your wife's name. Yes, you can but it's not advisable (not good advice) unless you take further/additional precautions.....

[beano2274]

just as a note, if you notice on your registration document from the Amphur, at the end there are several notices, one says "you state you have not been living together before getting married".

[johnlandy]

Get your wife to buy a house with a home loan in her name.

You give her minimum deposit (5-15%) and make minimum repayments (over 25-30 years).

'very good advice"

[johnlandy]

Well it's a good job i bought a condo in my name within the 49% quoter.

Although the building i live in has nearly all the 51% owned by foreigners

in company name.

Let alone all the hundreds of thousands who have houses in company name

across the country.

Amazing!

As relates to Post #20 -- Thai lawyers put together these deals so they must be legal -- that's a good one

Usually if a lawyer is found to be braking the law then they would have their right

to practice taken away from them, meaning they would lose their ability to earn a living

in their chosen occupation.

I find it hard to believe that they would put themselves in that risk for the sake of a few thousand baht

that they charge to set up a company for the purchase of a property.

That's what i find amazing!

Just remember this is Thailand, anything goes and when it does it is obvious who will be the loser.

And as for trusting a Thai lawyer why would anyone (if they had their brain in switched on mode) do that when you wouldn't trust a Thai policeman, or a Thai politician 'or pretty well anyone else for that matter'

[hellodolly]

Buy a condo and put it in your own name. Do not buy any property which is not solely in your name, and effectively in Thailand that means only a condo is available to you.

If after a few years of living here and getting to know the place you decide to put a house into your wife's name then up to you. I think though, that if we were to have a poll on Thaivisa about newly marrieds putting a house into the wife's name it would come back universally negative.

Yes if the house is in your name you will be able to keep it for 30 years. The property must be in the Wife's name.

To protect yourself you can have a lawyer draw up papers so that in case of a divorce she can not ban you from the property. Not sure what it is called but in affect you are leasing the land for 30 years. Other wise you might own a house you can not get in to.

I see now that6 you have been together 10 years and have childern. Why did you not mentioned that to begin with.

In any case my advice still stands.

[hellodolly]

Appears you don't know much at all about Thailand, yet are making a huge commitment. Don't let this thread be the extent of your research; that is the best advice I can offer. Good luck, OP.

Sorry mate I have only visited 26 times and have not done a lot of research on what rights I have, I do know I can own condo outright but with 2 kids and 10 yrs with thai gf I thought house would be best interest for family.. Tahnks for your reply

I know several guys who lived with their Thai wife in the west all their married life, had kids, business together.

Came to live in Thailand bought a house or business, and the lady did an instant asset grab and dumped the guy.

Thailand is a weird place and none of the stuff you learned in the west works here.

Stay safe.

Not really surprising when you stop and think about it. They had a secure life in a foreign culture and when they moved back to Thailand picked up a lot of the culture they had left behind to live in a foreign country. I know a Thai lady in the small city I came from who is planing on moving back here as soon as their boy graduates from High school. They have been back to visit several times.

In the case of your friends I would wonder if they made much effort to adjust to Thailand. That is a very important point to be taken seriously.

[hellodolly]

Usually if a lawyer is found to be braking the law then they would have their right

to practice taken away from them, meaning they would lose their ability to earn a living

in their chosen occupation.

I find it hard to believe that they would put themselves in that risk for the sake of a few thousand baht

that they charge to set up a company for the purchase of a property.

That's what i find amazing!

Not in Thailand.

Rarely in the USA.

Even more rarely in the UK.

There are lots of Lawyers in prison in the States. Don't know about the UK

[gchurch259]

In Thailand marriage is the same as everywhere, "It is not the initial investment, it is the maintenance and up keep that cost". I have been very lucky I met and married a very beautiful/nice Thailand lady. She has taken very good care of me, through Prostate Cancer and Heart Stints procedures. I obtained a USA Permenant Residence for her. I bought her a townhouse and automobile, after four years of marriage.

Bottom line I never invested anything in her I was not prepared to walk away from if needed. My advise do the same !! Suggestion, read "The Private Dancer" a good book.

[phantomfiddler]

I have found almost invariably in this country that it is when you let your guard down that is when you will get taken to the cleaners. I agree totally with the posters who are trying to give you protective advice. If you still wish to buy a house in your partner,s name at least get a 30 year lease in your own name so that you cannot lose the property until expiration of lease.

Also the person who stated that, if married, one is liable to pay 50% of the wife,s debts, I do believe this to be incorrect. The husband is completely liable to repay 100% of any debt incurred, and will be dealt with in the most extreme fashion if he fails to do so. This is the reality, not the legal theory. In conclusion, regrettably, a foreigner has no rights in this country, again reality and not theory. Be careful, never sign a document you cannot read without running it by your own lawyer, and good luck.

Appears you don't know much at all about Thailand, yet are making a huge commitment. Don't let this thread be the extent of your research; that is the best advice I can offer. Good luck, OP.

Sorry mate I have only visited 26 times and have not done a lot of research on what rights I have, I do know I can own condo outright but with 2 kids and 10 yrs with thai gf I thought house would be best interest for family.. Tahnks for your reply

That's information you should have put on the OP, you need to know that we see and hear of so many people getting used in this country, especially newbies, that we universally encourage caution.

If you have been with the lady for ten years and have two kids with her then obviously that's a different thing.

[BudfahRuksa]

Hmmm My Thai gf is giving birth early Oct and she says she wants to come and live with me in Australia.. Iv`e known her no I should say I first met her late Apr 2012. Oct last year I went back and she applyed for a passport and a tourist Visa. approved and arrived in Sydney Dec15 and she stayed with me until she had to leave March 12. We knew she was pregnant and at 49 Im happy she also, she`s 34... but I worry. Her dad retired cop her sister and her husband are cops. Her other sister is a nurse and her husband also has a government job. It worries me the number of farangs being murdered swindled etc.. Things I have noticed to date.. Shes moody can be stubborn sulks manipulative argumentative prone to being depressed..and this was all within 3 months..never travelled before in her life. Positives she speaks her mind..when shes not sulking..trust me thats a positive..it means I can see who she really is, good cook loving clean loves her family. I know it`s going to be a wild roller coaster ride I`m thinking she will change when bubba arrives..we both want kids...this may help settle both of us..Man who knows ! Question she is constantly asking me for a copy of my passport and my birth certificate..for the childs birth certificate im guessing..I intend to be nominated as the father she is my daughter and i intend to pay for both my child and my gf..It worries me to marry her..we`re basically not ready yet..but I didn`t want my daughter to suffer because were not married...Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

[Toscano]

My first reaction to your post is " Don't Get married " If you must be very careful as to whom you are marrying , ie no workers in the tourist trade or met in resorts .

Get yourself a Retirement Visa !!! You will be free to come and go as you please , you will not be dependent on living with a Thai wife , you will save yourself a lot of paperwork , time at immigration and having to drag your wife along for your annual visa extension . This will also give you the option to have a simple Thai wedding , which you can simply walk away from if it doesn't work out .

Remember that " Thai Love " is exclusively about " Money ". If you are marrying a previously married woman , don't pay a bride price , that is for first time virgins . You can buy gold jewellery , do up an existing home to western comfort standards ; but be wary of all the relatives hard luck stories .

You cannot get residency in Thailand as in some other countries , unless you have been a professional in Thailand for some years and then there is a quota .

You can buy a Condo in your name . I would advise against buying a house in your wife's name , better to lease a house . If anything goes wrong you can simply leave and not lose all your capital .

You might think I'm giving very pessimistic advice . I am married to an educated professional lady 52yrs , we have a good loving relationship , even so money or gold are of equal importance as love .

You would not believe the number of foreign men who have effectively been robbed of all their savings and have ended up destitute . Take Care !!!

[transam]

Hmmm My Thai gf is giving birth early Oct and she says she wants to come and live with me in Australia.. Iv`e known her no I should say I first met her late Apr 2012. Oct last year I went back and she applyed for a passport and a tourist Visa. approved and arrived in Sydney Dec15 and she stayed with me until she had to leave March 12. We knew she was pregnant and at 49 Im happy she also, she`s 34... but I worry. Her dad retired cop her sister and her husband are cops. Her other sister is a nurse and her husband also has a government job. It worries me the number of farangs being murdered swindled etc.. Things I have noticed to date.. Shes moody can be stubborn sulks manipulative argumentative prone to being depressed..and this was all within 3 months..never travelled before in her life. Positives she speaks her mind..when shes not sulking..trust me thats a positive..it means I can see who she really is, good cook loving clean loves her family. I know it`s going to be a wild roller coaster ride I`m thinking she will change when bubba arrives..we both want kids...this may help settle both of us..Man who knows ! Question she is constantly asking me for a copy of my passport and my birth certificate..for the childs birth certificate im guessing..I intend to be nominated as the father she is my daughter and i intend to pay for both my child and my gf..It worries me to marry her..we`re basically not ready yet..but I didn`t want my daughter to suffer because were not married...Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Doesn't sound good to me.

[Andre0720]

You will have the right to 50% of married income as Thailand is a joint property state. You can obtain non immigrant O visas and if female extensions of stay inside Thailand (if male you must independently financially qualify). If working here 3 years you might qualify for permanent residency at 1/2 the normal fee (if approved). You might also have a path to citizenship (but again just being married is not the key).

50% of married income.

Would that be of income in Thailand only?

[BudfahRuksa]

My first reaction to your post is " Don't Get married " If you must be very careful as to whom you are marrying , ie no workers in the tourist trade or met in resorts .

Get yourself a Retirement Visa !!! You will be free to come and go as you please , you will not be dependent on living with a Thai wife , you will save yourself a lot of paperwork , time at immigration and having to drag your wife along for your annual visa extension . This will also give you the option to have a simple Thai wedding , which you can simply walk away from if it doesn't work out .

Remember that " Thai Love " is exclusively about " Money ". If you are marrying a previously married woman , don't pay a bride price , that is for first time virgins . You can buy gold jewellery , do up an existing home to western comfort standards ; but be wary of all the relatives hard luck stories .

You cannot get residency in Thailand as in some other countries , unless you have been a professional in Thailand for some years and then there is a quota .

You can buy a Condo in your name . I would advise against buying a house in your wife's name , better to lease a house . If anything goes wrong you can simply leave and not lose all your capital .

You might think I'm giving very pessimistic advice . I am married to an educated professional lady 52yrs , we have a good loving relationship , even so money or gold are of equal importance as love .

You would not believe the number of foreign men who have effectively been robbed of all their savings and have ended up destitute . Take Care !!!

One day I came home and she said to me something about opening a 7/11 store.. I would have to sell everything I have namely my own home and a newly bought investment property to do this. I didnt dismiss the idea but in no time flat as I was talking she just walked out of the kitcken and went back to the lounge to sulk..she said I was too negative. For 2 hours not a word was spoken and she ended up going to bed. The next day i didn`t call her during the day like I usually do but decided when I got home that she being a long way from home and alone here I was`nt going to aggravate the situation just be pleasant towards her..but i was starting to think I can`t wait for her to go home... turns out she was pregnant

[Toscano]

BudfahRuksa

To be honest , I think you are buying a load of trouble . Having a baby doesn't solve anything , is just a further impediment and source of argument . Moody and manipulative describes most Thai women . You have to learn to say NO and mean NO , they accept it and will sweeten up . Don't take any nonsense from them . I wouldn't send copies of your passport and birth certificate .

I would strongly advise against getting married until you know one another really well . Thais will be looking for a hefty bride price . If she is coming to Australia that is the place to have a simple registry office wedding . She may at a later date try to persuade you to go to live in Thailand , Don't . The Cops aren't going to come after you in Australia . Take Care !!!

[AnotherOneAmerican]

One day I came home and she said to me something about opening a 7/11 store.. I would have to sell everything I have namely my own home and a newly bought investment property to do this. I didnt dismiss the idea but in no time flat as I was talking she just walked out of the kitcken and went back to the lounge to sulk..she said I was too negative. For 2 hours not a word was spoken and she ended up going to bed. The next day i didn`t call her during the day like I usually do but decided when I got home that she being a long way from home and alone here i was`nt going to aggravate the situation just be pleasant towards her..but i was starting to think I can`t wait for her to go home... turns out she was pregnant

Thai way,

Agree to everything they suggest, but never actually get around to doing anything about it.

Very hard to argue and sulk with someone that always agrees with you.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Thais will be looking for a hefty bride price .

Not if she's already pregnant (and aged 34)!

[surfinglife]

Why???

[Andre0720]

Appears you don't know much at all about Thailand, yet are making a huge commitment. Don't let this thread be the extent of your research; that is the best advice I can offer. Good luck, OP.

Sorry mate I have only visited 26 times and have not done a lot of research on what rights I have, I do know I can own condo outright but with 2 kids and 10 yrs with thai gf I thought house would be best interest for family.. Tahnks for your reply

I know several guys who lived with their Thai wife in the west all their married life, had kids, business together.

Came to live in Thailand bought a house or business, and the lady did an instant asset grab and dumped the guy.

Thailand is a weird place and none of the stuff you learned in the west works here.

Stay safe.

I always found it strange that thai ladies always WANT to get married. I used to say that we have a common-law relationship status in my country. Considered the same as married. When gf insisted, I always resisted.

Now I am starting to understand that my instinct served me well.....

[BudfahRuksa]

BudfahRuksa

To be honest , I think you are buying a load of trouble . Having a baby doesn't solve anything , is just a further impediment and source of argument . Moody and manipulative describes most Thai women . You have to learn to say NO and mean NO , they accept it and will sweeten up . Don't take any nonsense from them . I wouldn't send copies of your passport and birth certificate .

I would strongly advise against getting married until you know one another really well . Thais will be looking for a hefty bride price . If she is coming to Australia that is the place to have a simple registry office wedding . She may at a later date try to persuade you to go to live in Thailand , Don't . The Cops aren't going to come after you in Australia . Take Care !!!

No documents will be sent by me I will be present at the birth and I will deal with any requests at the time. I have told her that just because we are having a baby does`nt mean that we will be together forever. I also told her that I would not abandon her. She knows we had problems when she was here and that we are not ready for marriage..I reiterated that I will know when we are both ready. I do truly want to make it work with her and maybe have another child..she knows I`m not into divorce and that If she knows now that she is going to deceive me to please go away. I also send her emails from ThaiVisa and she doesn`t like it. She has actually told me to not send anymore saying she is not like "them" . I have been sending money to her and have told her that I am sending more than 3 times her monthly salary..I thought living was cheap in Thailand she says yes it is I say spend wisely..I am not the bank. She is also aware that when she comes to live hereIi will be consentrating on "our " family. Yes she is a virgin bride but I feel that the dowry thing I have already paid for and anyway from what I hear this is old fashioned beliefs.. I`m not at a market buying a steer. I have told her I want the little ones to grow up in Thailand..I like Thais and their gentle easy going nature...is this just a front? Grazie Toscano

[jrtmedic]

Seems as if mysogeny rules here !

Those who have no respect for women deserve to be royally mistreated in return !

All power to the ladies !

[Toscano]

Tinytot

I don't think a prenuptual would count for anything in Thailand .

Invest as little as you can in Thailand , better to rent , lease , than buy .

Responders here seem to one and all a bunch of pessimists . We have reason !!!

Thai women are very physically attractive , which is why most men take up with them .

My advice to men coming to Thailand to find a pretty girlfriend ; don't marry them , pay as you go with no strings .

[Anon999]

If you have been with the lady for ten years and have two kids with her then obviously that's a different thing.

Really, it isn't.

Actually it is.

[Toscano]

jrtmedic

Foreign Men are utter fools thinking that Thai women are as nice and sweet as they look .

If you think we are all beasts who abuse love kind women , come to Thailand yourself and try your luck . " Suck it and see "!!!