Women looking for Western husbands 'need legal advice'

[boloa]

Women looking for Western husbands 'need legal advice'
Thai women hoping to land themselves a Western husband have been warned to learn about their legal rights or they could end up with a miserable life.
Suwat Kaewsook, director of the Department of Consular Affairs' Protection of Thai Nationals Abroad Division, said women must understand more about foreign citizenship if they wish to live overseas.

"Living abroad with foreign husbands is not always as wonderful as a lot of people expect, so you must learn more about your [legal] rights in a foreign country," Mr Suwat said.

He was speaking to around 100 people who attended a seminar entitled "Across the Universe: Cross Cultural Marriages", which was hosted by Rangsit University's International College.

Kanokrat Nimsamoot Booth, chair of the Federation of Thai and Foreign Spouse Networks Association of Thailand, said she had launched a website _ www.thaiforeignspouse.com _ to help Thai women who have problems with their foreign husbands.

Ms Kanokrat revealed that just over two months after the site's launch, around 200 women had sought advice on their marriages.

"The main problem is that their foreign husbands have affairs and want a divorce, despite them having kids together," said Ms Kanokrat.

She said many of the women did not have enough money to sue their husbands for abandonment and sought help from her association.

Somkid Homnet, a consultant working with the Department of Labour and Social Welfare who carried out a study concerning foreign spouses in Udon Thani province last year, presented the findings at the seminar.

He discovered that there were up to 5,700 foreign spouses from 33 countries living in the province.

Most of them were German, British, American, Australian and French, and they had an average monthly income of about 100,000 baht.

The study also found they met their wives through matchmaking companies, the internet and friends or relatives.

There are currently around 50,000 Thai women married to German men, 30,000 married to French men, 30,000 to Americans, 25,000 to Australians, 10,000 to Britons, 8,742 to Swedes, 7,937 to Taiwanese, 3,000 to Austrians, 2,891 to Finns and 1,086 to Danes, according to statistics compiled by the Foreign Ministry.

[Admin]

I think its a good idea.
Any Thai lady going overseas need to know their rights and obligations(!) by the law.
Some foreigners misunderstand the 'sinsod'/'sinsot' concept and think they bought them and do whatever they want in their own country. Its wrong and they should understand taking a person out of his/her country is an obligation and the Implications coming along with it.

[boloa]

Quote OP.....The study also found they met their wives through matchmaking companies, the internet and friends or relatives.

Doesn't mention the 40% that met through the sex industry in places like Pattaya,Phuket and Koh Samui 

Quote OP.....There are currently around 50,000 Thai women married to German men, 30,000 married to French men, 30,000 to Americans, 25,000 to Australians, 10,000 to Britons, 8,742 to Swedes, 7,937 to Taiwanese, 3,000 to Austrians, 2,891 to Finns and 1,086 to Danes, according to statistics compiled by the Foreign Ministry

[Prakhonchai Nick]

He discovered that there were up to 5,700 foreign spouses from 33 countries living in the province.

Most of them were German, British, American, Australian and French, and they had an average monthly income of about 100,000 baht.

The study also found they met their wives through matchmaking companies, the internet and friends or relatives.

I don't believe any of the above.

Very few expats have an income of 100,000bt a month, let alone 5000+

And NONE of the 5000+ met their wives in bars, gogo's etc!!!

WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP!

[nookiebear]

Seems to be an absolute load of rubbish to me

[isanbirder]

These women may need a lot of things, but one thing most of them don't need is a Western husband.  For 'need' read 'want'.  For 'Western husband',  read 'Western husband's money'.

And 'matchmaking companies' is a new name for sex bars.

[urleft]

I don't believe any of the above.

Very few expats have an income of 100,000bt a month, let alone 5000+

From and American standpoint, 100,000 baht a month is not that hard.  That is roughly $3500 a month, or $42K a year.  That is lower middle class in the USA.

In 2006, the median annual household income according to the US Census Bureau was determined to be $48,201.00. 

So 100,000 baht a month is very doable (at least in America).

[mxyzptlk]

Nookie, Nick - you are absolutely right - load mof bollox.,.....

[manupete]

I don't believe any of the above.

Very few expats have an income of 100,000bt a month, let alone 5000+

I would say the figures quoted for earnings are spot on for westerns working in their home country
http://career-advice.monster.co.uk/salary-benefits/pay-salary-advice/uk-average-salary-graphs/article.aspx

I do agree that Thai women should been warned and told about their legal rights when married to a westener ,Isn't that what expat forums do for their members.

Quoted from the article ""The main problem is that their foreign husbands have affairs and want a divorce, despite them having kids together," said Ms Kanokrat."
I would say that was more common in Thai marriages

[Vombatus]

i also agree that the report is one-dimensional and 'a load of bollocks' is a fair conclusion.

Whilst GBP 2,000 or US$3,200 or 100,000 Baht is "not that hard", when you are working full-time in a well paid job, it is certainly not a fair representation of the 'average' level of income of the many retired ex-pats over here. 40/60k is nearer the average and Nick will confirm that we know of at least one person existing on less than 10,000 Baht per month.

The above is my best guess at 'normal' retirees. I know several guys in Pattaya who fund most of their enjoyment  (up to 6 months over the UK winter) on bank debt, credit card or just fraud !

I quote the following extract from the report:-


"Living abroad with foreign husbands is not always as wonderful as a lot of people expect, so you must learn more about your [legal] rights in a foreign country," Mr Suwat said.

Khun Suwat failed to add that life for the Thai women is, of course, a whole lot better if they get pregnant at 16 by Somchai (in the village) who later (at the age of 18) turns out to be a philandering, , wife-beater. Is it any wonder that they seek a 'better' life via Pattaya/Bangkok ?

I don't wish to stereotype, but Khun Suwat started it.

[Dave the Dude]

Agreed with everything said. Its Bollocks.

I have been approached twice this week by a (Wealthy) family friend asking me to find 2 farang husbands! I just say that if they know me, then they are no good! LOL!

[manupete]

Ms Kanokrat revealed that just over two months after the site's launch, around 200 women had sought advice on their marriages.

"The main problem is that their foreign husbands have affairs and want a divorce, despite them having kids together," said Ms Kanokrat.

She said many of the women did not have enough money to sue their husbands for abandonment and sought help from her association.

Maybe Thailand should get its own house in order before having a go at Westerners about abandonment .How-many Thai men leave their wives and pay no maintenance .If they did perhaps there would be so many women working in the sex industry 

[Admin]

Maybe Thailand should get its own house in order before having a go at Westerners about abandonment .How-many Thai men leave their wives and pay no maintenance .If they did perhaps there would be so many women working in the sex industry 

I think they can sue their husbands its just the Thai mentality is stopping them from doing so but not the law...... also I think they just realize the guy really don't have money and what going to court will bring them? Unless of course if they got a big fat fish. 

[nookiebear]

How many times have you heard from 'bar girls',,,,,,,had a kid knocked out,father of it fcuks off,,,They have to find money somehow........

[manupete]

How many times have you heard from 'bar girls',,,,,,,had a kid knocked out,father of it fcuks off,,,They have to find money somehow........

It all depends on how many Bar Girls you talk too ,I suppose