MAIWP reminds Malaysian couples of fake marriage document syndicates in southern Thailand

PATTANI: The Pattani Regional Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) reminds Malaysian couples who want to get married in Southern Thailand to be wary of syndicates that use fake documents from the authorities.

MAIWP Chairman Wae Deramae Mamingchik said the council has approximately 10 individuals who are authorized and mandated to perform marriages that must be held at the MAIWP office only.

He said the warning follows a party that forged marriage documents issued by Islamic religious councils in Southern Thailand.

“MAIWP found that there are many syndicates looking for opportunities to charge high fees compared to what MAIWP charges, which is only around 4,000 baht (RM511.82) to 5,000 baht (RM639.78) for wedding fees.

“There is a syndicate, especially in Padang Besar (Songkhla Region), that falsifies documents (marriage) of the Islamic religious ceremony with the official signature and stamp of the fake ceremony,” he said when met by Bernama after the Inaugural Ceremony of Al-Quran Recitation at the Thai Level last Wednesday.

Wae Deramae said MAIWP has the marriage certificate serial number and date, which can be checked at the Religious Council and also at the Malaysian Consul General’s office.

“We sent the name of the judge’s guardian to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the religious office, including a sample signature,” he said.

Commenting further, he said there are approximately 10 Malaysian couples who get married at MAIWP every month and his party imposes strict conditions for foreign couples to get married in Pattani.

He explained that most couples choose to get married in Southern Thailand because they face difficulties or do not get approval to get married in Malaysia.

“Whoever meets the conditions we approve,. Among the conditions is that the bride-to-be must have a letter of permission (from the guardian), enter Thailand legally and the marriage ceremony is performed at the Islamic religious council office,” he said.

Wae Deramae added that a copy of the marriage registration letter will also be sent to the Malaysian Consul General’s Office in Songkhla to be recorded.