Time To Get Divorced in Thailand.

[lordsux]

After a very turbulent 7 months of marriage my Thai wife and I have decided that its best we get divorced asap.

I understand that if both partners agree then it's a pretty straight forward procedure.

1. Go to a District Office.

2. Fill in the papers.

3. Get two witnesses. (When we married two workers from the district office witnessed for us.)

4. Pay the fee.

5. Say goodbye and goodluck.

6. Go out and celebrate.

Does anyone know how much the fee is?

Also, when we married I think we were scammed by the District Office, the clerk told us that we could not marry unless we had an official translator to translate the laws regarding marriage in Thailand. He convieniently had a telephone# to someone that he called and for 2000.- baht could come straight away. We agreed to get it over and done with.

Was that normal procedure or were we scammed, and is this likely to happen when we go for the divorce?

I've searched the forum but cant find anything on this.

So, who has recently regained their freedom and what is the correct procedure?

Any info or tips will be highly appreciated.

[Rinrada]

I have known a couple of guys who were in your position and YES basically what you have described above is about correct... assuming that you are BOTH agreeable and just want to walk away afterwards.

I was "best man" on a number of occasions and always found the registry officers very "nice" and with NO scams going (Suk Rd Office)on....but avoided the Part 2 ...No need.

Just make sure that you get/have the Offical Docs with the Garuda on top.... and Signed/Stamped...Cant remember any fees involved but sure it wont be much.

[pepi1]

Maybe I can help. The fee is about 1500. Make sure YOU have the original marriage papers on YOU. Only give them over to the officer when asked together with passport. Make sure on the second sheet, I think, that she will have no FUTHER claims on you. It will spell it out --property, money or child support. Ask the officer in your very best Thai . Very important that. Keep very cool, it is nearly over. Try not to let her see you are sweating . The officer will do a lot of talking to her but I say again keep cool. Various photocoping will be asked for--- you pay. He will give you both the divorce papers STAMPED. Get up smile , shake hands ,walk calmly away ,do not look back. Hail a taxi and when you get around the corner give the taxi driver a BIGG kiss!! Its over!!

[lopburi3]

Someone who can speak both your language and Thai is normally required for marriage if you do not speak Thai yourself as you must sign a document and you should really understand what you are signing. Some Districts have the English ability and will not require an outside translator but others will ask for one. Have never heard of the translator having to be "official" however.

[IMA_FARANG]

Maybe I can help. The fee is about 1500. Make sure YOU have the original marriage papers on YOU. Only give them over to the officer when asked together with passport. Make sure on the second sheet, I think, that she will have no FUTHER claims on you. It will spell it out --property, money or child support. Ask the officer in your very best Thai . Very important that. Keep very cool, it is nearly over. Try not to let her see you are sweating . The officer will do a lot of talking to her but I say again keep cool. Various photocoping will be asked for--- you pay. He will give you both the divorce papers STAMPED. Get up smile , shake hands ,walk calmly away ,do not look back. Hail a taxi and when you get around the corner give the taxi driver a BIGG kiss!! Its over!!

Been a long time (1980) since I did that, and the exact details are a little vague. But the process you describe is what I remember. At the time I recall it was in BKK at the local Ampur where the original marriage was filed and the process was in a mix of Thai and broken English.

I would however, avoid kissing the taxi driver (see post above) afterward. Depending on taxi driver it might cause some awkward problems.

As I understood it at the time this requires consent of BOTH parties and is for a friendly division of property. If there is a disagreement over property, it isn't valid. (I was sh**less poor at the time)