The number of Malaysians who married in southern Thailand last year has increased, and among the main reasons was to practise polygamy due to opposition from wives and family members.

The Malaysian consul-general in Songkhla, Mohd Faizal Razali, said there were 3,831 marriages registered last year, up from from 3,485 in 2013.   

He said the statistics showed there were 20 to 25 marriages a day last year as compared to 15 to 20 daily in 2013.

In January and February this year, 675 couples married in Southern Thailand.

About 80 percent of the marriages involved couples from Malaysia and the rest involving a Malaysian and foreign national.

Faizal was met in Songkhla today after accompanying the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku  Syed Putra Faizuddin Jamalullail on his three-day working visit to Krabi province in southern Thailand since Friday.

Tuanku Syed Putra is also Islamic Religious Council of Perlis (Maips) president.

The Raja Muda, who was also accompanied by Maips council members held meetings with members of Islamic religious councils in six Andaman territories in southern Thailand to discuss issues pertaining to marriages; certification of halal products; education; request for help and donations; use of the Malay language and missionaries; as well as bilateral cooperation for the benefit of Muslims.

Mohd Faizal said the majority of Malaysian couples (who married in southern Thailand) were from states bordering southern Thailand, namely Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Kelantan, but the number did not include those marrying via services of syndicates.

He said syndicates charged between RM5,000 and RM7,000 for the ‘services’, adding that they (syndicates) had even claimed that a sum of RM2,000 was payment to certain officials in the consulate.

“I deny this allegation although victims of syndicates did not complain to the consulate as they depend on their agent. They only realised they have been cheated after returning to Malaysia,” he noted.

Mohd Faizal said wedding costs with the five recognised provinces of Yala, Pattani, Songkhla, Narthiwat, and Satun were only between RM400 and RM500, and each application was screened by the consulate.

- Bernama