Polygamy in Thailand

Polygamy in Thailand could be freely practiced before 1 October 1935. Polygamy was recognised under civil law.[1][2] The old family law divided wives into three categories, in accordance to the way they became wives.

  • The first was called mia klang muang (เมียกลางเมือง), the 'official wife', whom the husband's parents had "acquired for him".
  • The second was known as mia klang nok (เมียกลางนอก), the 'minor wife', whom the man acquired after his first marriage.
  • The third was mia klang thasi (เมียกลางทาสี), the title given to slave wives who were purchased from the mother and father of their prior owners.[2]

Children of these unions were recognised as legitimate.

While polygamy has since been abolished, it is still alive in Thailand and, according to some, widely accepted.[3] Such unions are not recognised under Thai law in accordance with the law that states "A man or a woman cannot marry each other while one of them has a spouse."[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jamnarnwej, Wimolsiri. "Family Law of Thailand; B. Marriage". Thailand Law Forum. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 Law of Husband and Wives B.E. 1904
  3. ↑ Chintana Yossoonthorn, Women in Thailand, Proceedings of the Peace Corps Conference on Women and Development Bangkok, 1979, p. 11.
  4. ↑ Civil and Commercial Code, Article 1452
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