Marriage applications in Thailand double last year

IPOH - The demand from Malaysian couples to hold a wedding in Thailand last year has doubled.

The increase occurred following the re-opening of the country's borders after being closed for almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order (MCO).

A border marriage agent who wanted to be known as Kamal, 50, said previously they received applications from 15 to 20 couples who wanted to use their service a month, but the number increased to 30 to 40 couples.

"Due to the border closure for two years, many couples who wanted to get married in the southern Thailand needed to delay their wedding.

"This is one of the factors of the sudden increase. Even so, we had to limit the number of couples so that the process can run smoothly," he said.

Kamal, who has more than 12 years of experience in the service, said in Songkhla alone, not less than 20 couples from Malaysia got married every day and the number would increase during school holidays.

"So far, Songkhla, Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Satun and Bangkok are among the locations recognised and accepted by both countries for border weddings.

"Most of the weddings are held in Songkhla because it is close to the consulate and makes it easier for couples to get marriage confirmation," he said.

He noted that most couples in this country were willing to take the risk of getting married at the border because the registration process was easier, especially for polygamous affairs.

He said they were also willing to spend according to the package offered which were between RM2,000 to RM5,000 for ordinary groups and as low as RM10,000 for dignitaries as long as everything went smoothly.

"This fees include border entry and exit matters, marriage matters, imam and certified marriage ceremony fees as well as all documents related to the marriage," he said.