Chonburi Man Admits Dealing Meth for Dowry
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Sunthorn Khunkamdee, 26, wipes away tears as he speaks today to reporters at a police news conference in Chonburi province.

CHONBURI — A man is under arrest in Chonburi province for allegedly selling methamphetamines to pay the dowry demanded by his fiancee’s family.

Sunthorn Khunkamdee, 26, told reporters at a police news conference today he was forced to sell drugs to factory workers because he could not afford the 100,000 baht dowry, or sin sod, required for the marriage.

“I had been saving money in order to ask my girlfriend’s hand in marriage,” Sunthorn said. “My work alone was not enough.”

Thai tradition dictates paying a dowry to the bride’s parents at the amount set by her family. In Sunthorn’s case, he said it was 100,000 baht.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1447924599&typecate=06&section=

-- Khaosod English 2015-11-20

yeah well. While I understand the dowry concept, from a falang point of view, I know that the money flow or at least the pressure of money flow back to the inlaws doesn't stop once married. Traditionally, in western civilization, dowry's were paid by the girl's parents to the groom. The bride and women in general were viewed as not being able able to provide much income so the bride's family was happy to pay to give her away. In Thailand, and especially in broken families where the father has often absconded, the bride often is the money maker, so Thailand reversed the western dowry and goes with the sin sod thingy.

He looks quite good looking. I would marry him and pay his family a dowry

Now then, will the girl's family be more upset at losing out on the money or at their future son in law being arrested ?

Another marriage made in heaven.......... .

Now then, will the girl's family be more upset at losing out on the money or at their future son in law being arrested ?

Right. I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count.

Has to be a top 3 reason to deal drugs here. Need more money to get a hotter girl, or maybe just a whiter girl.

I hadn't heard of A dowry in Thailand.Are they talking sinsod?I believe A dowry is different

I hadn't heard of A dowry in Thailand.Are they talking sinsod?I believe A dowry is different

Dowry translates directly to sinsod so probably the closest English word available. But yes, there are differences.

...what a pathetic load of crock.....

...and what is his reason for apparently using it himself.......

Has to be a top 3 reason to deal drugs here. Need more money to get a hotter girl, or maybe just a whiter girl.

They might take pity on him and fine him 500 BHT .

...what a pathetic load of crock.....

...and what is his reason for apparently using it himself.......

Where does it say he was using? Sounds like you're making assumptions without facts.

Thats a new one, the usual excuse, is need to buy milk for the baby.

Sin sod does not translate to dowry. Dower would be a closer translation but even this is not fully accurate.

The closest translation is "Bride Price", which is a fairly commonly used term which dowry is erroneously substituted for.

I imagine the bluntness of the expression (paying for your wife) is why a lot of people choose to go with a softer sounding euphemism.

Good thing I don't have this problem.

Good thing I don't have this problem.

Yes indeed, meth use is a killer.

Sin sod does not translate to dowry. Dower would be a closer translation but even this is not fully accurate.

The closest translation is "Bride Price", which is a fairly commonly used term which dowry is erroneously substituted for.

I imagine the bluntness of the expression (paying for your wife) is why a lot of people choose to go with a softer sounding euphemism.

Why is it people go out of their way to criticise what others say? Make assumptions without finding out what really happened (often through not even understanding what they are reading)? Whole load of tittle tattle and nothing better to do I guess. Oops there I go tittle tattling, you've got me at it now.

Edited November 20, 201510 yr by dougieboy

As my friends says " Why buy when you can rent?!"...

As my friends says " Why buy when you can rent?!"...

I am told, by my friends, that the Thai tradition is to do both.

Buy (marry) first and then rent concurrently.

The rented ones (as many as finances will allow) are, apparently, known as "mia noi".

It all sounds very immoral to me.

Edited November 20, 201510 yr by Enoon

As my friends says " Why buy when you can rent?!"...

I am told, by my friends, that the Thai tradition is to do both.

Buy (marry) first and then rent concurrently.

The rented ones (as many as finances will allow) are, apparently, known as "mia noi".

It all sounds very immoral to me.

Yes indeed, a bit like buying a station wagon / SUV for everyday use and renting a sports car for the weekend? One is practical and comfortable, the other is fun and built for speed.

I have spoken with many Thai men in their thirties who are not married and tell me they need to save 100,000 to 200,000 for Sin Sod, dowry.

That should give you an idea how much a Thai girl is worth, if she is talking with a Thai man about marriage.

I have spoken with many Thai men in their thirties who are not married and tell me they need to save 100,000 to 200,000 for Sin Sod, dowry.

That should give you an idea how much a Thai girl is worth, if she is talking with a Thai man about marriage.

My wife was 150 000. Her friend (Thai guy) had to pay 800 000 for his wifr. It varies family to family. My wife's parents gave us the money...wife's friend wasn't so lucky. What's your point exactly?

Edited November 20, 201510 yr by SABloke

Like cars, second hand is considerably cheaper, and often has lower maintenance costs.

As my friends says " Why buy when you can rent?!"...

Agree...and I pay his wife quite well.

He looks quite good looking. I would marry him and pay his family a dowry

Pay his fine, sinsod and then you can be his boyfriend when he gets out of prison.

Easy.

Sin sod does not translate to dowry. Dower would be a closer translation but even this is not fully accurate.

The closest translation is "Bride Price", which is a fairly commonly used term which dowry is erroneously substituted for.

I imagine the bluntness of the expression (paying for your wife) is why a lot of people choose to go with a softer sounding euphemism.

Why is it people go out of their way to criticise what others say? Make assumptions without finding out what really happened (often through not even understanding what they are reading)? Whole load of tittle tattle and nothing better to do I guess. Oops there I go tittle tattling, you've got me at it now.

Silly Willy's.....