Answered5 years ago
Are foreigners currently unable to get married in Thailand due to COVID-19 restrictions?
So I am getting married next month, my fiance is Thai. We were told by our local registry office that they are not allowing foreigners to get married just now due to covid. We will still have our wedding and just have a ceremony at the temple since we can't sign the papers. Anyone else in the same situation? They said it is all of Thailand, has anyone gotten married recently in a different provence (we are in Chiang Mai). I am on non-b with work permit so don't need marriage visa straight away.
Answer summary
A user in Chiang Mai expressed frustration over being informed that foreigners cannot currently get married in Thailand due to COVID-19 restrictions. Despite planning a wedding ceremony, they were unable to register the marriage. Other users shared similar experiences, noting that some regions may still allow marriages, and encouraged trying different Amphur offices. Discussions also touched on the concept of Buddhist and civil ceremonies, the legal aspects of marriage registration, and concerns about the implications of these restrictions.
28 repliesnewest first
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Frédéric ******************
Actually, forbidding people to marry is a breach to the Charter of Human Rights.
Mike *********
Was married in Yasothon end of last month !
Steve *******
You could try some different Amphoes or grease a few palms. Foreigners are getting married in Thailand right now
Monti ********
WOW! That's BS. Nothing risky about registering marriage. More xenophobia in action. Good luck getting your marriage registered asap.
Kailah **************
OP@Monti *******
I didn't go, my fiance did. They actually told him that they are concerned about too many people applying for marriage visas due to covid. They said this is every registry office in Thailand, but we will call other places near us and see.Benjamin ******
Have you asked ALL the Amphurs that question?
Kailah **************
OP@Benjamin *****
We just went to one, they said same all over Thailand but I'm sceptical since many people have gotten married recently with no issues... Tomorrow we will call them all and see what they say.Kailah **************
OPWe will call around our province i meant, and see what they say.
Benjamin ******
@Kailah *************
>omorrow we will call them all and see what they say.There's over 100+ Amphurs in Thailand. use the amphurs in the province you live in.
Anthony *********
That's a bit odd as I married my wife in January you just go to the local amphur and do it take about 20 minutes
Wolfgang *******
If can't married... Which rules said that?
Kuan ******
Try going another amphur. The Amphur office is very friendly in Silom.
Adrian *******
I just got married last week and i did fly all the way to local amphur(district office) in Ubon to do it. Yes, its commented by amphur offices in bkk that they stop all foreigners marriage registration for time being. If really wana do it just go to other smaller provinves to get married. Thats what i heard.
Vyacheslav ************
Just got our clients married last month in Bangkok. Everything is up to district officials.
Kailah **************
OP@Vyacheslav ***********
Thanks for the advice, tomorrow my fiance is going to call all the places nearby, maybe we can find somewhere! They said it was the same everywhere but fingers crossed 🤞 
Michael ********
We did buddhist ceremony and civil ceremony over a year apart. First one matters for family friends and will always be official one.
Civil only need for paperwork
Civil only need for paperwork
Frédéric ******************
There is no Buddhist wedding ceremony per se. Buddhists consider marriage to be a secular matter. The monks are invited only to bless the couple, like they bless a new house, a new car or a new business. Their prayers are not part of the wedding.
But you are right that the traditional wedding is the one that counts, in fact a good number of Thai never register their marriages.
But you are right that the traditional wedding is the one that counts, in fact a good number of Thai never register their marriages.
Michael ********
@Frédéric ****************
You could go into that so much deeper are Thais real buddhists etc etc, its just so much easier to call it Buddhist ceremony and civil ceremony
Will ************
Go into trendy building in Bangkok and get someone to sort it, maybe 12-
*****
bt all doneKailah **************
OP@Will ***********
Pricey and last resort, I'm working so have a visa currently but it isn't just about that, we want to be legally married. Will see.
Justin *****************
F
Justin *****************
@Kailah *************
@Paul ************
have you heard anything about this?Kailah **************
OP@Justin ********
They said to us maybe in 3 months we can. But who knows? Jessica ******
How is this even legal? How are we supposed to plan long term visas when they make up random rules. 😢
Kailah **************
OP@Jess ********
It's not just about the visa, this is our life and we want to get married but legally can't... I would understand if they were stricter or marriage visa requirements but not allowing people to get married at all is insane...Jessica ******
@Kailah *************
I will pray it changes. Good luck ❤️Jessica ******
@Kailah *************
yes same boat. My partner is Thai and we planned to get married in January. WTF. 😭 
Darren *******
My nanny is in same boat, she's Filipina but she's also been told that foreigners aren't allowed to get married at the moment. This is in BKK.
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