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 assigned wives to three categories in accordance with how 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 asked after his first marriage.
- The third was mia klang thasi (เมียกลางทาสี), the title given to slave wives who were asked 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] The king of Thailand may, for example, still designate "consorts" other than the queen.[4] Such unions are not recognised under Thai law, which states, "A man or a woman cannot marry each other while one of them has a spouse."[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Jamnarnwej, Wimolsiri. "Family Law of Thailand; B. Marriage". Thailand Law Forum. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ a b Law of Husband and Wives B.E. 1904
- ^ Chintana Yossoonthorn, "Women in Thailand", Proceedings of the Peace Corps Conference on Women and Development, Bangkok, 1979, p. 11.
- ^ "Thai king strips consort of titles for 'disloyalty'". BBC News. October 21, 2019.
- ^ Civil and Commercial Code, Article 1452[full citation needed]
