Thread: Mixed faith marriage in Thailand as foreigners, what is required in Thailand

Here's the situation:

A friend of ours here is having some problems.

Her father was Chinese, her mother is Malay/Muslim. She is therefore Muslim as the father had to convert to marry the mother.

She was brought up in a very liberal manner, eating pork, having a drink or so, not wearing the tudung (head-scarf).

She has been going out with this Chinese guy for about ten years and wants to get married and have children . . . but she doesn't want to have the Muslim ceremony.

Her father died recently and now the mother is becoming more Muslim by the day and wants her to marry in the Malay/Muslim tradition.

To cut a long story short, if she marries here, even only with a civil marriage her boyfriend will have to convert and she doesn't want that.

My question:

Can the two get married in Thailand, a civil wedding, and what documentation do they need.

I know the marriage will not be recognised in Malaysia, but she doesn't care as they will eventually emigrate anyway but she wants to have a marriage cert so that the child or children will not be listed as 'fatherless' here.

We had a Buddhist ceremony in Samui years ago but had a celebrant fly up from Sydney to do the honours . . . as Mrs Hat and I were originally married in NZ. Different kettle of fish.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Not recommending the law firm but some info here.

Marriage in Thailand

Originally Posted by panama hat

My question: Can the two get married in Thailand, a civil wedding, and what documentation do they need. I know the marriage will not be recognised in Malaysia, but she doesn't care as they will eventually emigrate anyway but she wants to have a marriage cert so that the child or children will not be listed as 'fatherless' here.

go to Singapore for 15 days, get married there.

Originally Posted by Norton

Not recommending the law firm but some info here.

Thanks, I'll check it out

Originally Posted by kingwilly

go to Singapore for 15 days, get married there.

Nope, not that easy. You have to select a date with the B, D & M department way ahead of time to get a time-slot and then I don't believe you can do it when both partners are foreigners . . . could be wrong, though

Originally Posted by panama hat

I don't believe you can do it when both partners are foreigners

You can but have to have residence in Sing. Not long though if I recall correctly.

Go on a cruise ship and get married at sea.

I can't see how it would be different from any other marriage, especially as Thailand is not a Muslim state.

My wife's father was Muslim and I think that her Mother was Buddhist in belief but Muslim in name. My wife herself was Muslim but not strict (eating pork etc.) as above and nothing was mentioned anywhere at any time during our marriage.

We didn't have the ceremony but just got a cert. from the amphur office.

Originally Posted by Norton

You can but have to have residence in Sing. Not long though if I recall correctly.

Yes, correct.

Originally Posted by Moonraker

My wife's father was Muslim and I think that her Mother was Buddhist in belief but Muslim in name. My wife herself was Muslim but not strict (eating pork etc.) as above and nothing was mentioned anywhere at any time during our marriage.

The difference being that Malaysia is a Muslim country and their laws are quite strict about marrying outside of the Muslim faith, hence the need to get out and do it somewhere else.
They will still be 'living in sin' according to the laws here and are actually breaking the law of proximity . . . bizarre religion

Originally Posted by Moonraker

We didn't have the ceremony but just got a cert. from the amphur office.

Yup, that's pretty much what they're after . . . just a thought . . . any cert will be in Thai . . . Hmm . ..

(A cruise ship . . . nice idea)

Thanks for the answers

Originally Posted by panama hat

The difference being that Malaysia is a Muslim country and their laws are quite strict about marrying outside of the Muslim faith, hence the need to get out and do it somewhere else.
They will still be 'living in sin' according to the laws here and are actually breaking the law of proximity . . . bizarre religion

Sorry, missed the bit that they where living in Malaysia, had a blonde moment.

^^^If your wife a Thai then no issue. In this case neither are Thai. Biggest hurdle is both need "permission" from their respective embassies. Might be a problem at the Malaysian Embassy. Other complication is applications and paperwork will have to be in Thai language.

Cruise ship is a nice idea - but - would need very careful planning .
If the cruise is from Malaysia to either Phuket or Sing is a no-go as the ship does not enter international waters ! HK is a possibility though.
Another bit of grit in the KY gel is that I know that at least 2 of the captains on the Star Line Cruise ships are Muslim and may not agree to perform a 'mixed' marriage .

Anyway - best of luck to both of them and I hope they can get something sorted out.

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Sorry, missed the bit that they where living in Malaysia, had a blonde moment.

You're blonde?

Originally Posted by Norton

Biggest hurdle is both need "permission" from their respective embassies. Might be a problem at the Malaysian Embassy.

Yes, it would be a problem . . . Hmm . . . are you sure about needing permission?

Originally Posted by Happyman

If the cruise is from Malaysia to either Phuket or Sing is a no-go as the ship does not enter international waters !

Do you mean that the ship just goes from one national water to another? In otehr words coastal shipping. Yes, good point.

Originally Posted by Happyman

I know that at least 2 of the captains on the Star Line Cruise ships are Muslim and may not agree to perform a 'mixed' marriage .

Yes, probably not.


Looks like the guy might have to convert and pass the problem onto the next generation to sort out.

Religion . . .

Originally Posted by panama hat

I know the marriage will not be recognised in Malaysia, but she doesn't care as they will eventually emigrate anyway but she wants to have a marriage cert so that the child or children will not be listed as 'fatherless' here.

if they are legally married in another country, Malaysia has to recognise that marriage

I believe that is not true. It is illegal for a non-Muslim to be married to a Muslim, so if they live together they are guilty of kalwat (proximity) and if they snog then they are guilty of Zina (snogging while unmarried)

As I said . . . religion . . . creates more problems that it solves

Originally Posted by panama hat

Do you mean that the ship just goes from one national water to another? In otehr words coastal shipping. Yes, good point.

Exactly - must be outside of ANY countries territorial limits.

Originally Posted by panama hat

are you sure about needing permission?

When I say permission mean, affidavit stating they are free to marry. Normally this is confirming they are not currently married. With the Malaysian Embassy this could be a problem. It will be needed by both. Foreigners marrying Thais need the same as many here know.

Originally Posted by Happyman

Exactly - must be outside of ANY countries territorial limits.

Got it.

Originally Posted by Norton

When I say permission mean, affidavit stating they are free to marry. Normally this is confirming they are not currently married. With the Malaysian Embassy this could be a problem. It will be needed by both. Foreigners marrying Thais need the same as many here know.

That is the case when you marry anywhere, I guess. I had to sign an affidavit when I married Mrs Hat in NZ. (As I am not a Sheepshagger)

I know a couple of guys that are married to Muslims. They don't really have to convert, all they have to do say they have. Not sure why your friend just doesn't go ahead and do the Muslim ceromony.
TH

Originally Posted by Norton

Not long though if I recall correctly.

15 days. (which i did say...)

Originally Posted by Thaihome

They don't really have to convert, all they have to do say they have

depends on if the person doing the marriage checks it or not, same rules here in Indo.

Here is another possible option PH... This guy suggests that one of them does not even need to be present at the 'wedding' ...

Better than a registry office wedding - Melbourne

Originally Posted by Thaihome

I know a couple of guys that are married to Muslims. They don't really have to convert, all they have to do say they have. Not sure why your friend just doesn't go ahead and do the Muslim ceromony.
TH

if you don't mind a small lie, then that is the easiest way

or just convert, all you have to do is repeat some phrases and you are Muslim

saves a lot of hassle as well

Originally Posted by DrAndy

all you have to do is repeat some phrases and you are Muslim

KW indicated some sort of "surgical procedure" is involved.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Here is another possible option PH... This guy suggests that one of them does not even need to be present at the 'wedding' ...

Weird stuff . . .

Hey, did you hear about the guy here in Malaysia a few years back who 'divorced' his wife via sms . . . He thought that sending "I divorce you" would do the trick . . . I guess religion doesn't keep step with technology/

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Malaysia recognises foreign marriages as legal with some provisos so Kalwat would not apply

Here's the catch:

.... the couple had the legal capacity to marry under their laws of domicile

Originally Posted by Norton

KW indicated some sort of "surgical procedure" is involved.

Ah, the cruellest cut of all . . . nope, they don't check


I'd agree with Andy . . . just pretend, it's a small lie to solve a big problem

Panama Hat, we got married in the Thai embassy in Shanghai, no ceremony, it took half an hour, but the marriage is recognized in Thailand, china and the Uk, it was just a paperwork exercise, but it is all legal, and at least the kid would be covered.

I think you can do the same in thailand at the amphur, but it may have changed, you needed birth certs. (change of name certs - as most Thais seem to change their names like their knickers- fathers Birth Cert- a tiny rag that cannot be read -house book etc. and everything translated to Thai and bobS your uncle)

You need to look into it as some countries (UK) have a time limit for registerting your marriage and claiming citizenship for the kids - it doesnT matter for the adults, but could bugger it up for the children later, so it is quite important. eg, if A couple thai English are not married in the eyes of the law either in Thailand or UK,and have a child (before marriage- then even if they marry at a later date -there is a time frame) within a certain period, then the child cannot get a UK passport or be registered as a UK citizen

Correct Miggins, in and out of the Amphur in about an hour