Why is Dowry important?
Apart from thanking your Thai fiancee’s parents for being able to raise their daughter as the great person you’re marrying, you are also paying dowry to prove that you are financially able enough to take care of your Thai bride for the rest of your lives. This system is directly linked to Thai culture as it places great emphasis on family relations that go beyond the marriage. The payment of dowry is a symbolic aspect of a Thai marriage, and the amount (or most of it) is usually returned to the couple after the wedding to help them get a headstart on their new life together. However, during the legal marriage registration there is no need for the presentation of the dowry as this is only required during the Thai wedding ceremony.
