@Mike *******

Do you speak Thai Mike, can you read and write the language? If not you probably wouldn't know what they are talking about most of the time anyway. And you are not the only long term foreigner in Thailand or the only one with a Thai wife, far from it. You shouldn't suppose that you know everything it just comes across as completely ignorant. I'm not wasting anymore of my time on you,typical boofhead.

@Mike *******

clearly you don't know that much about it Mike despite your 20 yrs. At the end of the day, a person will pay whatever they are comfortable with and negotiation is based on various factors

@Mike *******

Says you. A good friend of mine paid a substantial dowry for his 25 yr old Thai bride from a well-to-do family whose parents insisted she was a virgin. May not be discussed in your culture but it is in many others

@Mike *******

The sin sod, is traditionally a payment to the bride's parents for the good upbringing of their daughter, which could imply anything really.

Don't pay any sin sod if it's not a thing in your culture. I'd consider it only if the wife to be was a virgin, never married with no kids from a decent and proper family.

You can own the house, not the land.

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

a plan yes, a firm date and ticket no.

You wont have a problem renting any car or any motorcycle without a licence in Thailand. Many Thais are also getting around on the roads without one. This doesn't mean you should.

Simple, just ask your manager / agent to arrange it for you.