Getting Married in Thailand

Well, why not? It's beginning to become another TCIS tradition to get married in traditional Thai (Buddhist) ceremonies. We've had an American marry a local and last year two Americans had a Thai wedding ceremony in the beautiful island paradise of Koh Samui (he actually proposed underwater while scuba diving in Bali during Christmas). This school year the school celebrated five weddings including a Canadian and his Thai girlfriend in Bangkok in December, and a Canadian teaching couple and American-Filipino teaching couple in Phuket during the Chinese New Year.

Getting married in Thailand is purely an administrative affair, which takes place in a registry office in Bangkok. After the legalities have taken place, you are able to have a more romantic ceremony in a luxurious setting anywhere you wish. Several hotels resorts and travel agencies offer wedding packages and can arrange everything from elephants to monks to bridal gown at short notice (2-3 days at least), although you may have to make a personal visit to your embassy to make it official before or after. You'll need your passport, birth certificate, divorce papers if divorced, etc.