The specific customs and expectations surrounding Sin Sod can vary, and it’s essential to discuss and understand these traditions with your partner and their family to ensure a respectful and culturally sensitive approach to the wedding process. Nowadays, increasing awareness of gender equality, being financially independent and women’s rights has led to questioning practices like Sin Sod that it is an outdated and patriarchal practice that objectifies women. They prefer to make their marital decisions based on mutual consent and love.

What if I’m an LGBTQ+ couple and I want to get married in Thailand? 

****Update 19^th June 2024 – Recent Law Changes Regarding Same-Sex Marriages in Thailand*****

Thailand has taken a historic step forward in the fight for equality with recent changes in the law regarding same-sex marriages. This move places Thailand at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights in Southeast Asia, reflecting its progressive stance on social issues and commitment to ensuring equal rights for all its citizens.

In June 2024, the Thai parliament passed a landmark bill that legalised same-sex marriages, making Thailand the second country in Asia to do so, following Taiwan. The bill, officially titled the “Marriage Equality Act,” grants same-sex couples the same legal rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples. This includes the right to adopt children, inherit property, and access spousal benefits such as health insurance and pension rights.

Please find link to a recent news article, we will continue to provide updates on our LGBTQ+ page when available.  

What do foreigners need to get married in Thailand?

According to the Department of Consular Affairs, there are certain requirements and restrictions for who can get married in Thailand under Thai law. The eligibility criteria for marriage in Thailand typically include the following:

• Men and women must be at least 17 years old.  (the recent bill for same sex marriages suggests 18 years old) 

• If either party is under the age of 20, parental consent may be required.

• Approved document that confirms you are legally free to marry and that there are no legal obstacles to your marriage (a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) 

• A woman who is divorced or whose husband dies must wait 310 days before she is allowed to remarry.

To get married in Thailand as a foreigner, you will typically need to provide a specific set of documents. It’s essential to verify the latest requirements with the local district office (Amphoe) where you plan to register your marriage. 

**Please note that the originals of all documents are required to be presented on your appointment date and you need to provide copies of all documents for both partners**

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

• Application for legalization 

• Application for Registration of Marriage 

• A valid passport  

• National Identification card   

• Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) (Foreigners) 

• A Divorce Certificate  

• A House Registration Certificate (Thai national) 

Please note that you must have at least two witnesses (each from the couple getting married) to attend the marriage registration date. And it might take 7 – 14 working days to get your marriage certificate. After marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for a non-immigrant “O” visa based on marriage to a Thai national. To obtain this visa, you’ll need to provide proof of documents. This visa is usually valid for a year and can be extended every year. 

After marriage, What next? 

Putting aside everything mentioned earlier the biggest challenge is how to maintain a healthy marriage. Cross cultural relationships have additional challenges so this is especially when you are a foreigner getting married to a Thai person. 

Some common examples of these challenges can be found on on our website by visiting our dedicated Thai and Western Relationship Therapy page. These include such things as communication barriers, cultural differences, family expectations, financial matters, alcohol and health problems. 

• Communication Barriers Language and communication styles can be a significant challenge. Even if both partners speak a common language, there may be nuances, idioms, or cultural references that are not easily understood. Misunderstandings can arise due to differences in how emotions and thoughts are expressed. 

• Cultural Differences Thai and Western cultures have distinct norms, values, and traditions. These differences can manifest in various ways, from food preferences and religious beliefs to expectations around family roles and hierarchy. Couples may struggle to reconcile their cultural disparities. 

• Family Expectations In Thai culture, family is highly important, and there are strong expectations for support and involvement in family affairs. Western cultures may have different views on family dynamics. In Thai culture, there can be strong expectations to provide financial support to extended family members. Foreign partners may not fully understand or agree with these cultural norms, leading to potential conflict. For example, a Thai partner’s family might ask a foreigner for money support per month. 

• Financial Matters Discrepancies in financial priorities and spending habits can lead to disagreements. Different attitudes towards saving, investing, and budgeting may create tension in the relationship. For example, if your partner does not work and you have to financially support them all the time can often lead to conflict. Low income can lead to financial stress and anxiety. This stress can affect the overall well-being of both partners and the relationship itself.
• Health problems such as alcoholism, homesickness, feelings of being an outsider etc. Individuals in mixed-cultural marriages may grapple with questions of identity and belonging. You may feel torn between two cultures or struggle to find a sense of belonging in either and end up drinking too much causing your health problems after. 

Relationship / Marriage Counselling / Couples Therapy

If you’re facing challenges that you can’t resolve on your own, then seeking professional support from an experienced relationship and marriage counsellor (often referred to as couples therapy) may be something to seriously consider particularly for Cross-Cultural / Thai Western relationships. Therapy is a form of healing and encourages partners to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives, emotions, and needs. Couples may rediscover their reasons for being together and recommit to their relationship, strengthening their bond.

Our experienced counselling team are here to provide you with guidance and support in many languages not just Thai and English. Other languages include Mandarin, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Korean, Hindu, Punjabi and Urdu.