Legally, no, you cannot marry more than one wife in Thailand. However, while polygamy has been abolished, the practice still exists and is widely accepted by some.
Thailand's laws officially recognize only monogamous marriages. This means that under Thai law, a person can only be legally married to one person at a time. Attempting to legally marry a second wife while still legally married to the first is not permitted and would not result in a valid marriage under current law.
Legal Status vs. Social Practice
Despite the legal abolition of polygamy, the social reality in Thailand is more complex. The practice of having multiple wives (often referred to as mia noi or minor wives, as distinct from the officially registered mia luang or principal wife) persists.
- Legal Framework: As stated, Thai law abolished polygamy, making it impossible to register more than one marriage.
- Social Reality: Even though not legally recognized, having multiple partners or "wives" is still alive in Thailand and, according to some sources, widely accepted within certain cultural contexts or communities. These additional wives do not have the same legal rights or status as the one legally registered wife.
- Historical Context: Historically, polygamy was legal in Thailand, especially among the elite, before being officially abolished in 1935 with the implementation of the Civil and Commercial Code.
- Notable Exception: The reference highlights that the King of Thailand may still designate "consorts" other than the queen. This is a unique situation related to the monarchy and does not reflect the legal marriage rules for the general public.
In summary, while legal marriage is strictly monogamous in Thailand, the social practice of having multiple partners exists, although these relationships do not carry the same legal weight or protections as a registered marriage.
