On June 9, a gathering took place at the Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council where men and women were briefed on the prerequisites for a marriage ceremony. (Photo: Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council Facebook)
In the scenic southern provinces of Thailand, an interesting phenomenon has emerged—Malaysian men are increasingly choosing these locales for their ceremonial polygamous marriages. According to the Bernama news agency, no less than 30 couples from Malaysia take part in this ceremony at the Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council every month.
While most of these couples originate from the neighboring Malaysian states of Kelantan and Terengganu, it’s not uncommon for some to come from as far afield as Kuala Lumpur. This rising trend has piqued the curiosity of many. However, it’s far from a simple procedure. “Getting married in southern Thailand isn’t as straightforward as one might think. There are rigorous conditions to meet, including thorough background checks on the couple,” elucidates Abdul Aziz Mamat, the deputy president of the provincial council, in an interview with Bernama.
Interestingly, Mr. Aziz did not delve into why Narathiwat has become such a popular choice for Malaysians entering into polygamous unions, a practice permissible in Islam. Yet, Narathiwat isn’t the only southern province seeing this trend. The allure of tying the knot extends across other southern border provinces as well.
The Malaysian consulate in Songkhla has reported similar interest, with approximately 300 Malaysian couples getting married in Songkhla province each month. This revelation came to light in February through a report from the Malaysian-language daily, Sinar Harian, cited by Malay Mail.
Consul Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi adds that Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, and Satun are other favored locales for these matrimonial ceremonies. The intrigue around why these provinces specifically draw such a significant number of Malaysian couples remains largely unspoken, leaving room for speculation and further investigation.
In a world where marriage customs differ vastly, the situation in southern Thailand offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of cultural practices and legal frameworks. The mysterious allure of these provinces for polygamous unions continues to capture attention, attracting couples willing to navigate the stringent conditions for the opportunity to celebrate their union in this unique setting.
Why are these men even considering polygyny? It’s outdated and problematic.
Polygyny is part of our religious freedoms. Why shouldn’t people practice their beliefs?
But it often leads to inequality and unhappiness for the women involved. Is it really worth it?
Not all polygynous marriages are unhappy. Some women agree to it and even find benefits in it.
Those cases are rare, and it’s usually because women feel pressured by societal or familial expectations.
It seems like they’re just trying to bypass strict regulations in Malaysia. Isn’t that unethical?
It’s not about ethics; it’s about cultural and religious practices that laws should respect.
But when those practices undermine women’s rights, isn’t there a problem?
That’s a colonial mindset. Polygyny is halal in Islam, and we shouldn’t let Western morals dictate our practices.
Fair enough, but there should still be safeguards to protect the vulnerable parties involved.
Why specifically choose southern Thailand? Seems like a peculiar choice.
Southern Thailand has lenient processes compared to Malaysia. It’s not difficult to understand the appeal.
But surely there are other places with similar leniency? Why not those?
Cultural ties and geographical proximity make it more convenient. It’s easier than going through the slow bureaucratic maze back home.
I can’t believe this is still a thing in the 21st century. We should be moving towards more progressive values.
Respecting cultural diversity means accepting practices you may not agree with. It’s not about being regressive.
But cultural practices shouldn’t come at the cost of gender equality!
True gender equality means respecting the choices of women who willingly enter into polygamous marriages.
Does anyone know how these background checks work? Seems kinda invasive.
Background checks ensure that both parties can legally marry. It’s a necessary step to prevent fraud.
Still feels like an invasion of privacy to me. There should be limits.
Privacy is important, but so is legality. It’s a balance that needs to be maintained.
This whole trend just highlights how outdated our own laws are in Malaysia.
Everyone’s missing the point. It’s about having the freedom to practice our religion as we see fit.
I’m curious about the women’s perspective. Are they truly okay with this or pressured into it?
There are many reasons a woman might agree to polygamy. Sometimes it’s a practical choice.
Practical or not, does it reflect genuine consent?
Consent is complex. What may seem like coercion to you could be a considered choice for them.
Interesting choice, but what about the immigration laws in Thailand? Aren’t they tough on foreigners?
So much for progress. This sounds like a step backward for gender equality.
You can’t judge other cultures by Western standards. It’s not fair to impose.
Maybe, but fairness should be a universal concept. We can’t ignore human rights.
It’s about religious obligations. Simple as that.
Are there any stats on how many of these marriages succeed? Seems risky.
So many judgments from people who don’t understand the cultural context.
Maybe, but that doesn’t mean we can’t critique something that might be inherently problematic.
Fascinating piece of information. Makes you wonder about the societal influences behind this.
Society always shapes personal choices. We can’t isolate one from the other.
True, but it’s still something worth questioning and understanding better.
What about the children from these marriages? Do they face any legal complications?