Jump to content

Thailand Offers Course For Women Who Marry Foreigners


Flashermac
 Share

Recommended Posts

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry is offering a free course to help Thai women cope with the highs and lows of interracial marriage and avoid potential scams or falling victim to human trafficking when moving abroad.

 

As Thai society becomes more accepting of interracial marriages, some women view them as a way to better their economic status, the ministry says.

 

"Our course will teach women how to conduct themselves, about the laws of their destination country, and how to prepare before going," said senior ministry official Patcharee Arayakul.

 

"This is to reduce the risks of women being scammed or being a victim of human trafficking," added Ms Patcharee, who is the director of the ministry's division of gender equality.

 

Although there is no recent data on such marriages, a 2004 government study showed more than 15,000 women from one of the poorest regions, northeastern Isan, had married foreign men, and sent a monthly total of 122 million baht to their families.

 

The course covers "legal rights, how to seek help through relevant Thai authorities, as well as exploring issues of culture shock," said Dusadee Ayuwat, an associate professor at Khon Kaen University who helped to design it.

 

The practical advice was very useful, said one woman who attended the day-long course, paid for by the ministry.

 

"I was more interested in the legal aspects rather than the culture shock," said the woman, who declined to be named.

 

The course could be useful for some Thai women, said Ploynisa Duangdararungrueng, a former spa manager who is married to German national Ralf Wacker.

 

"Thai women, especially those from the northeast region, are soft-spoken and submissive," she said. "They must learn to respect themselves and their culture."

 

Her husband said the course could prepare women for the reality of life in the West.

 

"For a lot of women, life in the West is like a fairy tale, but in reality it can feel extremely isolating moving to a small town," said Mr Wacker, who urged Thailand to offer a similar course for Western spouses.

 

"If the Western man does not understand the family dynamics, this can cause a lot of problems."

 

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1315811/thailand-offers-course-for-women-who-marry-foreigners

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was married to a non P4P lass, from Surin way - NE Thailand.

 

In all the 20 or so years she never asked for more than a pittance to send back to LOS. And I will say she was nearly a model wife.

 

She got: NZ Citizenship, free health for her cancer (now cured) and 50% of the family wealth at divorce (Not millions but a goodly sum).

 

Do you think I'm gonna see any of the half share of her land, I'm entitled to? (presumably), in Surin? You know the land we established a rubber plantation on?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the 1980s, a Thai woman who dared to marry a foreign devil forfeited her right to own any land herself. My wife was quite upset to learn that, saying ... "You mean I'm not Thai anymore?" That changed years ago, but even now a foreigner's wife (still not him) can buy only enough land to build a medium size house on. No way you were ever going to get any of that rubber plantation you used to sit on and drink your mint juleps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not quite anymore though. Wife has had no problems buying up land in multiple places. Largest single plot is 250 rai. Total overall isnprobably close to 600 rai. All since we have been married and all in her married name with ' proper' paperwork.

 

Of course I can't touch any of it, or lay claim to anybody it, not that I'd want to and in any case whatever is not sold in the future to fund retirement will get passed to the kids

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mint Juleps?

 

One of my lasting memories of meeting her family for the first time, was, having brought 4 bottles of duty free with me, the father, brothers and I, polished off one on the first evening. On rising the next morning I found Dad and two of his mates just finishing the other three :(

 

My Ex Wi Me's family can best be described as Yokels.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...