@Nan *********

. Small amount in YOUR world.. for most thais its a lot of money. Sounds like you have had a very priveleged life. Lucky you.

@Kim ********

. That's why I said " basics" and "expect". Wasn't true for me either. The woman who posted this is claiming 2 million baht as the norm in her circles.

My mother in law requested 1 million but my wife refused and said no dowry. I could understand why seeing her mother abandoned her and her 2 younger siblings when she was 8 yrs old leaving her father to raise them. She resurfaced when the father passed away 2 years before we married. Of course there are exceptions.

I have a cousin who married issan girl. 400k dowry. Return was promised, still waiting 10 yrs later, occasional requests for "help" still coming though. Built them a new house on top.

@Peter *******

. Probably explains why she lives alone in a big house with her dog.. doesn't need a man.. daddy takes care of it all. If she" doesn't see the need" to help her own family.. God help her potential future husband and children..

@Jason *****

. Basics of how it works in Thai culture

If bride to be is young, very beautiful, no prior children or marriage, educated and from a wealthy family expect an asking price of 2 million plus and dowry normally returned or gited to newlyweds to help build their future together.

If older , kids already ,average looks , lower class family etc expect a low or no asking price. But don't expect any dowry to be returned and expect requests for future "help " forever.

@Uchiha **********

. Beautifully said! I wish I had your eloquence with words.. Us Australians are known to be blunt and straight to the point.. ;-)

A compromise I had to make to successfully navigate thai culture which is the opposite of mine.

@Nan *********

. Doesn't surprise me at all. You just proved my example that elite thai ladies rarely date outside their own "class". Those that have found real love.

This isn't a criticism of you at all. It's very common in most cultures worldwide. I'd take care of my children the same way but I wasn't born into wealth . I took care of my family before myself. When I married , my family insisted that my wife andany children now comes first. That's our western culture.

@Nan *********

. Ok.. then why are you posting in a group specifically created for foreigners seeking visa help to live in Thailand, 90% male membership ??

Last time I checked... thais didn't need visas or visa advice to live in Thailand..

Read the first paragraph of your post again. And you said your thai male friends.

Thai ladies wishing to date "farangs" also need to learn what we seek too. It's not a one way street.

I just find it interesting that someone who has had virtually everything paid for in life ,including their future security,by their father, eg education,house, car has the audacity to give advice to western men on how to date thai women based on what non western men have told you. You are clearly in the elite category of thais.

Most thai ladies from privileged families, such as yourself ,wouldn't date western men unless they were wealthy too and with consent from family.

Compromise is essential for a successful western/thai marriage. If one isn't prepared to accept the difference in cultures and meet half way ,it normally ends in tears..

My wife is Thai. Masters from Chula. Paid her own way. Now a CFO of a multinational accounting firm with a western corporate salary to match living in Thailand Married 7 years now happily. Refused a dowry. Still supports family members when needed.

All she asks from me is to love her, protect her and make her laugh and smile.

@Brandon ***********

. I did it yesterday. Flew to KL and back same day to reactivate my non O multi spouse visa. 4100 baht return. No issues at all at kl immigration or thai immigration on return. Just need to make sure you actually enter kl and not stay airside of passport control there. KLIA Exit is now fully electronic for most western passports.

Welcome to the beaurocracy of thailand where laws and rules are determined by someone wearing a military uniform rather than the rest of most of the world where law is concrete and all abide ,including those employed by the rule makers... Here they use words like may and can instead of must when it comes to laws.