A mechanism needed for Malaysian couples marrying in Thailand

The number of Malaysian couples going to South Thailand to marry is not serious, but a mechanism has to be worked out to ensure the marriage is legally valid, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

He said a marriage that is not legally recognised could create problems, especially for the wife and children.

As such, he said, a mechanism would be worked out with the five Andaman regions in South Thailand, namely Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun and Songkhla on matters pertaining to marriage and divorce of Malaysian couples who went there to marry.

"Since the number of marriages involving Malaysians in South Thailand increases every year, these matters have to be resolved to avoid problems in future," he said.

He was met by reporters after opening the conference on marriage and divorce management for marriage registrars in the country and Islamic Religious Committee members from the five regions in South Thailand here last night.

Jamil Khir said couples who did not register their marriage could have problems in registering the birth of their child although their marriage was recognised in Islam.

"The problem becomes more serious when there is death or divorce because of problems in verifying the next of kin during property distribution," he said.

As such, he advised Malaysian couples who married in South Thailand to register their marriage after returning to the country.