Equal marriage registration services to open Thursday, January 23

[Gaybutton]

I think everyone is now well aware of the registration services coming into effect as of now. It is no longer necessary for the topic to remain in "Announcements".

[Jun]

I think everyone is now well aware of the registration services coming into effect as of now. It is no longer necessary for the topic to remain in "Announcements".

I'd imagine the registration services include divorces too. Although not much has been said about that.

[Gaybutton]

I'd imagine the registration services include divorces too. Although not much has been said about that.

On the Gayguides board Reader posted an article that says a spouse, including same-sex spouses can sue for compensation in cases of adultery.

See: https://www.gayguides.com/topic/73519-n ... pensation/


And here is a similar article I spotted. Seems to me at some point there will be articles talking about the complexities of separations and divorces:
__________________________________

Adultery law takes gender-neutral path

by Anucha Charoenpo

January 23, 2025

The cabinet has acknowledged changes of wording in the Civil and Commercial Code to create equality in compensation claims for damages resulting from an act of adultery, said deputy government spokesman Anukul Prueksanusak.

The weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday made a formal acknowledgement of the changes in the law in line with a Constitutional Court ruling.

The changes pertain to paragraph two of Section 1523 of the code governing compensation claims for damages incurred by an act of adultery.

A research paper authored by Nattwat Baibua, vice presiding judge of the Surat Thani Provincial Court, said the section says that "the husband is entitled to claim compensation from the person who has wrongfully taken liberties with his wife in an adulterous manner and the wife is entitled to claim compensation from another woman who has openly shown her adulterous relations with the husband."

The judge pointed out that by definition of the law, the wife is not legally able to demand compensation from a man or men who engage in an adulterous affair with her husband. The section has created inequality between men and women, which defies Section 27 of the constitution stipulating that "men and women shall enjoy equal rights".

The ombudsman had asked the court to rule on the legality of Section 1523. In June 2024 the court ruled the Civil Code must enable wives to sue their husbands' lovers, whether male or female.

Mr Anukul on Wednesday said the imbalance has now been corrected with the words "husband" and "wife" replaced with the gender-neutral "spouse".

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... utral-path

[Dodger]

The courts in Thailand usually divide marital assets in equal shares according to section 1533 of the civil code stating "upon divorce the sin somros (marital assets) shall be divided equally between man and woman ". This applies to common properties, not personal assets.

That said, it would probably be wise for a farang to own his own home (condo) prior to contemplating marriage in Thailand, unless in fact he just wants to continue renting.

The fact that a spouse can take court action on a third-party during a divorce proceeding is of course unheard of in the West, and like all-things-Thai, has its roots in Buddhist beliefs. In Buddhism a person who intentionally attracts (temps) a married person into engaging in sex is just as guilty as the cheating spouse of violating one of the main precepts of Buddhism which relates to "Bad Actions" which result in infidelity.

What's really interesting is when Joe Farang from Idaho marries #22 from Sweet Boys Gogo, and then offs #12 from another gogo a week later. Technically, according to the way this law reads, #22 can sue both the farang and #12 in divorce court and retire early... Just joking, but there are some interesting twists.

[Dodger]

Jai and I have completed the marriage documentation process and just waiting for our queue at the Amphur to get the registration finalized.

The Process:

Step One:
Contacted District Office (Amphur) to understand their documentation requirements. Note: there are hundreds of Amphurs in Thailand and I doubt that any two operate the same way, thus the reason for calling ahead. The Amphur for my district is Sattahip.

Step 2:
U.S. Embassy Bangkok: Obtained certified affidavit approving marriage, and certification of my passport (a requirement at some Amphurs). I scheduled the appointment on-line as required and the visit took less than an hour. Total cost U.S. $100 (3,400 THB)

Step 3: Certified Translator Bangkok: Translation and certification of embassy affidavit into Thai. Same day service. Translator Office is 100 yards from the U.S. Embassy. Cost 1,080 THB.

Step 4: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thai Consulate) Bangkok: First Visit - Review of all documents and Certification of translated affidavit (Thai version). Second visit (3 days later) - received certified stamp and approval from Thai Consulate. Total cost 800 THB.

Note: There are two Consulate offices in Bangkok that handle marriage approvals. One is at the main Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a new office located the Central World Plaza. We opted for Central World and glad we did.

Step 5: District Office (Amphur) Sattahip: We went to the Amphur yesterday with two witnesses as required. After reviewing all the certifications on top of certifications... they approved our documents and put us in a queue to receive the final marriage certificate. Apparently there's a backup and they said it could take several weeks. Not sure what the queue is at the other Amphurs.

I was informed at the U.S. Embassy that this was their first affidavit request for a gay marriage involving an American Expat. Then a few days later at the Amphur we were informed that this was their first request to register a gay marriage involving a foreigner.

I actually found this to be a bit alarming - because every time in my life when I was the only one doing anything - I was the only one fucking up...

[traveller123]

I am a UK national living in Surin with my Thai partner with whom I entered a UK registered Civil Partnership in 2011.
This morning we went to the Surin District Office to confirm the process for us getting married in Surin.
The lady officer looked at our UK registration document with a Thai translation and told us (to be accurate told my partner) that because we were registered in the UK we didn't need to go to the UK Embassy in Bangkok but should go the larger City Office in Ubon Ratchathani who would give us an officially stamped document which would be accepted by Surin.
If her information was correct it will mean a big saving in time and money - I guess a trip to Ubon will show if we have received some good advice.

[Gaybutton]

I guess a trip to Ubon will show if we have received some good advice.

With 878 registration offices in Thailand I'm surprised you have to make a 160km trip to Ubon, not to mention the trip back to Surin. However, obviously whatever hoops you have to jump through, it's certainly well worth it. Best wishes and best of luck.

"Incidentally, congratulations."
- Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Eleanor Shaw Iselin), 'The Manchurian Candidate' - 1962

[traveller123]

@Dodger Could you please tell me the name of the translating company you used in Bangkok

The advice we received in Surin was unfortunately incorrect and I will now go down the Embassy certification route

[Gaybutton]

The advice we received in Surin was unfortunately incorrect

Can you be specific about what that advice was, so that others don't find themselves following incorrect advice?

[Dodger]

@Dodger Could you please tell me the name of the translating company you used in Bangkok

Jim, see below:

A Language Lover’s Translation Center
(adjacent to U.S. Embassy)
GPF Wittayu Tower B, 93 Wireless Road, 1st Floor
Phone: 02-650-7900 and 7901; Fax: 02-650-7900

Located just a short walk from the U.S. Embassy. Small office...friendly staff...charged 1,080 baht to translate the Embassy affidavit (same day).

Note: Have your boyfriend review the Thai translation when complete by comparing it to the Embassy's English version to make sure there are no mistakes. Jai found one when he was reviewing ours which could have caused a problem later on.

Good luck.