KhwaamLap,

Thanks for the clarification. I knew nothing about Sin Sot or dowry prior to reading "Thailand Fever" and most of that was written by the Thai female co-author, Vitida Vasant [Supara Chowchuvech] - she had been married to a "westerner" and is currently engaged to an American. It seems she is the primary author [each section shows which wrote that section] but I sure didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from her thoughts - much the reverse!

I didn't realize and it's a bit counter intuitive that a farm girl or one from a poor family would be worth more than one that was richer or not from a farm community. I guess that makes sense as, even on a farm, everyone pitches in not just the boys in the family. It also seems fair and reasonable that Sin Sot only be paid the one time rather than for each successive marriage but I'm sure some families will attempt it if the girl is marrying a farang. I guess to some Thais most of us farang have a target on our back saying "stick it to me". And they do. Thankfully most Thais are lovely people.

Serendipity2