Have been advised it might be necessary to do the registration thing.

Can someone elaborate a bit for me about what it means, technically. I'm told to do it we just got to go down to the 'khet' and sign up, and that we can void it just as easily. But what does it involve in terms of rights - access to child, income, property, separation - and what does it mean in the eyes of Australian law?

Appreciated.

You first have to visit your Embassy and fill out a paper and have it notarized (that you are single, of means and family information, employment, references in home country and such). The US version is one page. You then must have it officially translated into Thai and recorded with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The stamped form with translation is then taken to the District Office with your passport and spouse (with ID card {and perhaps home register}) to register the marriage. Two witness will be required and someone to translate the paperwork for you (unless the office can provide). Once married it is a legal marriage worldwide and all marriage property will be under joint property laws.

Divorce, if both agree to settlement, is also a simple process. If not in agreement it becomes less easy.

Have been advised it might be necessary to do the registration thing.

Not necessary, but may keep the Mem Sahib happy.

Thanks for that Lopburi. What are the other forms of 'jot tabien', in relation to marriage then. I understood that there were several, some less official than others.

There is only one legal marriage and that is the District Office registration. You could have an offering to monks and traditional type ceremony/reception which presents you as married in the eyes of family/town, but that has no legal status; if that is what you mean.