Each groom paid a dowry of 1 million baht
Legal status remains unclear as cultural debate spreads
Growing prevalence of multi-person relationships overseas
How far can polyamory be recognized?
An unusual wedding ceremony drew public attention in a village in Saeng Thong City, Buriram Province, Thailand, where one bride and two grooms were married together in a traditional ceremony.
On February 28, local media outlets such as Khaosod reported that Duangduan Kesa-ro, a 37-year-old Thai woman known by her nickname Kik, held a modest traditional wedding ceremony with two men from Austria.
Photo of the bride Kik and the two grooms happy at the wedding held in a traditional ceremony. Amarin TV
The grooms are Roman, a retired police officer, and Maggie, a current police officer. The two are known to be friends. They held the ceremony in accordance with Thai traditions, witnessed by local residents. It is reported that this is the first time a "wedding of three people" has taken place in the Saeng Thong City area. The mayor of Saeng Thong City stated, "I have witnessed countless weddings, but this is the first time seeing a bride with two grooms together," adding, "Although this is an unusual union, I wish happiness for all three."
A Relationship That Began in Pattaya... Friendship Turned to Love
Kik previously had three children with her former Thai husband, but her family life was not smooth. Her singing career also did not progress as expected, so she began working in the tourist city of Pattaya to support her family. There, she met Roman from Austria, and they maintained a de facto marriage for five years. The situation changed when Roman's friend Maggie visited Thailand.
Maggie also developed feelings for Kik, and after long discussions among the three, they decided to continue their relationship together. Roman accepted his friend's feelings, and after dating as a trio for about a year, they decided to have an official wedding. It is reported that each groom paid a dowry of 1 million baht (approximately 46 million won). In an interview with local media, Kik said, "Both my family and parents supported us," and added, "As long as we are happy, other people's opinions don't matter."
However, under Thai law, a marriage between three people cannot be officially recognized. Thai civil law stipulates that marriage is based on a one-to-one relationship. In some regions, symbolic unions through traditional ceremonies occur, but an official marriage registration is required for legal effect. Although polygamy was practiced in the past, Thailand legally established monogamy from the mid-20th century. Therefore, this case is seen more as a matter of personal agreement and cultural choice than a legal institution.
‘Polyamory’ Relationships Increasing Overseas
The structure of families has evolved with time and culture. As various family models such as international marriages, blended families, cohabiting families, and single-parent families emerge, the criteria for a "normal family" are gradually expanding. In particular, this case calls to mind the increasingly discussed phenomenon of "polyamory" around the world. Polyamory refers to forming loving or romantic relationships with two or more people at the same time, with the consent of all parties involved.
Unlike simple infidelity, polyamory is characterized by its openness and mutual agreement. In some countries, such as the United States and parts of Europe, polyamorous communities have formed, and in some cities in Canada and the United States, there are ongoing discussions about cohabitation contracts or shared custody arrangements for multiple partners. However, most countries still maintain a one-to-one system for legal marriage.
In 2023, there was a case in Colombia where three men were legally recognized as a family, and in Brazil, a notarized de facto union involving multiple partners made headlines. However, such cases remain extremely rare. Amid these developments, the three-person marriage in Thailand has sparked a range of reactions on local social networking services (SNS) and online communities. Some commented, "If all three agreed, there is no problem," while others expressed concern that "the traditional concept of family could be destabilized."
Questions have also been raised regarding child-rearing and legal responsibilities. There are ongoing discussions about whether such multi-person relationships can be maintained in the long term and how legal protections would be provided in case of conflict. Nevertheless, Kik and the two men emphasized that "mutual respect and honest communication are the most important things." It is reported that they currently plan to live together as a family.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
