| The Kingdom of Thailand is known for its opulent | | | | In cases where those involved do not legally |
| architecture and the Thai people's love of ornate | | | | register their marriage the consequences from an |
| ceremony. The Thais perform their wedding | | | | American Immigration standpoint are important, |
| ceremonies in no less an ostentatious manner | | | | this is especially true for those aspiring to get a |
| than they perform any other ceremony in | | | | Green Card for their Thai loved one. However, as |
| Thailand. As a result, weddings in Thailand can be | | | | odd as it sometimes seems, the fiancée |
| fun-filled events and a marvelous sight to behold. | | | | visa is often faster to obtain than the classic |
| Oddly, the same attitude is not taken with regard | | | | marriage visas. Therefore, in some situations a |
| to legalization of a marriage in Thailand. In many | | | | couple will choose to have a marriage celebration |
| cases throughout the Kingdom, marriages are | | | | in Thailand and wait to have an actual legally |
| solemnized according to either Buddhist religious | | | | binding marriage ceremony in the United States. |
| rites or by local custom in the Province where the | | | | Also, where a marriage is not registered in |
| wedding takes place. In many cases, a customary | | | | Thailand, there is no recordation of a Thailand |
| wedding ceremony will not be legally registered | | | | prenuptial agreement. In a few very rare cases, |
| per Thai law. Usually, marriage in Thailand requires | | | | Thai courts have awarded unregistered spouses |
| execution of a legally binding marriage registration | | | | an equitable share of communal or marital assets, |
| at the local Amphur office (Amphur is the Thai | | | | but in those situations the couple had been |
| word for the office that keeps all of the marital | | | | together for many years and had formed an |
| records and name change affidavits, the Amphur | | | | "equitable partnership." It is often better to |
| office is similar to a clerk of the court in common | | | | arrange a Thai prenuptial agreement while in |
| law countries). | | | | Thailand because independent legal counsel can be |
| For most Thais, the important factor for a | | | | obtained that utilizes Thai staff. This is very |
| Thai-American couple getting married is the | | | | advantageous because the Thai language is not |
| customary or religious ceremony or ritual in which | | | | commonly spoken outside of Southeast Asia. |
| the couple publicly vows to remain committed and | | | | (Please note that this text should not be used as |
| together with the village or respective families | | | | a definitive guide to personal legal issues, this text |
| looking on as witnesses. In general, these rituals | | | | is written to provide information of a general |
| are performed by monks from a nearby temple | | | | nature. No Attorney/Client bond is generated by |
| and after blessing the nuptials the monks will | | | | the mere act of reading this article. |
| pronounce the couple as wedded man and wife. | | | | |