Equal marriage registration services to open Thursday, January 23

[Gaybutton]

Thank you thaiophilus and 2lz2p. It is clear even to dotty old me now.

[Dodger]

.......I have seen numerous articles over the years of gays having a marriage ceremony which of course had no legal standing.

Yes, I was a participant in one myself back in 2010 when my previous partner Thep and I were wed.

The ceremony, which lasted for several days, was traditional Thai and no different than a str8 marriage with the exception that our marriage could not be registered as being legal because we were gay.

The entire village was in attendance, including family members and friends. The first day of the ceremony was a private blessing from the monks at the local temple, followed by pee tee phuk seo (sp?), which is where we received individual blessings from each and every family member (string tying ceremony). This was done at night while sitting around a huge bon fire...more monks...lots of music and sanook.

The next two days included the main blessing from the monks with everyone in attendance followed by two days of beating drums...sprinkling water on the roots of sacred tree...being led around the village followed by dancers and boys beating drums...lots of food...lots of Thai whiskey...and finally being led away to a small private dwelling in the jungle when the ceremony finished - where Thep and I remained in isolation for 3 days and 3 nights. The family members and villagers came twice a day (dawn and dusk) and left food and other provisions outside the door without ever making a sound. Quite the experience!

As a side note: In Thai culture, the most significant aspect of a wedding process, regardless if it's a str8 or gay marriage, is on the ceremony itself and the blessings the couple receives during that process, rather than on the registration process. It's also very common for Thai couples who have bonded during a ceremony like the one I just described without ever getting the marriage registered. This is very common in the rural areas - especially in Isaan.

Regarding offices that register marriages; It really doesn't matter to Jai or I. We'll just drive to the closest place based on what's being reported once gay marriages begin. From what we know now the office in Naklua is probably where we'll end up.

[Gaybutton]

Equality Begins Here – Banglamung District ready to register same-sex marriages starting Jan 23

By Pattaya Mail

January 16, 2025

Banglamung District Chief, Patcharapat Sritanyanont, has confirmed the district’s readiness to register same-sex marriages following the passage of Thailand’s Marriage Equality Act. The law will come into effect on January 23, 2025, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to register their marriages at any of the 878 registration offices across the country.

Banglamung has been selected as one of 24 target districts by the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, due to its diverse population and significant LGBTQ+ community. To mark this historic moment, the district will participate in a United Nations event symbolizing the borderless nature of equality.

The district has made extensive preparations for the official rollout, including publicizing information about the marriage registration process, detailing the legal benefits, and providing guidelines for all couples, regardless of gender or identity. A pre-registration system has been introduced through Banglamung District’s official Facebook page to streamline the process and ensure proper documentation.

Officials have also undergone training to understand the nuances of communication regarding gender diversity. Special marriage certificates and forms have been prepared, while collaboration with the SWING Foundation has ensured the creation of an inclusive and welcoming registration environment.

For LGBTQ+ couples, the registration requirements mirror those for heterosexual couples. Thai nationals need only present their ID cards. However, international LGBTQ+ couples cannot register their marriages in Thailand. In cases where one partner is Thai and the other is a foreign national, registration is possible, provided the foreign partner proves single status, which may require additional processing time.

This initiative underscores Thailand’s commitment to fostering equality and inclusion, marking a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/equali ... -23-487350

[Dodger]

As a word of caution:

This being Thailand, there will almost assuredly be some Marriage Registration Offices that will attempt to get couples to use the services of a local agent...for a healthy fee no doubt. My guess is that some of the offices will claim that it takes a long time, possibly months, to complete the registration process without the assistance of an agent as their rationale. Don't fall for this...IT'S A SCAM!

Hopefully there will be broader communications about this concern within the LGBTQ community.

TIT

[Gaybutton]

Don't fall for this...IT'S A SCAM!

If anyone encounters this, or anything similar, please let us know. Dodger made it clear this is his guess, but hopefully nothing like this will actually happen.

Actually, Dodger's warning seems a bit farfetched to me, mainly because we don't know yet whether the visa agencies will even have anything to do with it at all. But if his warning turns out to be valid, then I will have to eat my words and refer to his warning not as farfetched, but instead as "nearfetched" . . .

[Jun]

A quick bit of work with google shows the agencies have been offering marriage registration services for years.

[travelerjim1]

For LGBTQ+ couples, the registration requirements mirror those for heterosexual couples. Thai nationals need only present their ID cards. However, international LGBTQ+ couples cannot register their marriages in Thailand. In cases where one partner is Thai and the other is a foreign national, registration is possible, provided the foreign partner proves single status, which may require additional processing time.

That's going to surprise those who thought they could register their marriages in Thailand...as both are foreigners.

THIS says one partner must be a Thai.

[Gaybutton]

THIS says one partner must be a Thai.

For me, the part that would confuse me is how to prove I'm single. Exactly how is that done - to the satisfaction of the Thai authorities? The only paperwork I have that says I'm single is my income tax return.

Does anyone know what the Thai authorities want and how to obtain it?

[2lz2p]

THIS says one partner must be a Thai.

For me, the part that would confuse me is how to prove I'm single. Exactly how is that done - to the satisfaction of the Thai authorities? The only paperwork I have that says I'm single is my income tax return.

Does anyone know what the Thai authorities want and how to obtain it?

A letter (affidavit) is obtained from your Embassy. US Embassy shows:

1. Contact the Amphur (Thai district office) where you intend to be married to find out what is required of you and your fiancé to be married within that respective district.

2. Most Amphurs require you obtain a notarized marriage/divorce affidavit from the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, or Consulate General Chiang Mai.

Note: the affidavit will be provided on your notary appointment.

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-se ... -thailand/

[Gaybutton]

Again thank you 2lz2p. Apparently it is important to first go to the marriage registration office and make sure of exactly what they require before going to your embassy.

I don't know about other countries, but Americans need to remember that you cannot just go to the embassy. You must make an appointment. Click the link to make an appointment:

https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/defaul ... &appcode=1

Those of you getting married, I wish you and your partner a very happy life together and I hope going through this marriage process won't be too difficult of a rigmarole.

I hope you will have sense enough to know and make very sure of what you're getting into financially. Some families will require a dowry. You may be expected to put on a lavish wedding party. You may be expected to financially at least help the boy's family, in some cases take over all their expenses, including their medical expenses, home repairs, new car, or whatever. Be prepared for the fireworks if you ever refuse.