PATTANI (SOUTHERN THAI): The Islamic Religious Council of Pattani (MAIWP) has issued a warning to Malaysian couples who wish to marry in Southern Thailand to be cautious of syndicates using forged documents from the authorities.

MAIWP Chairman, Haji Abdul Rahman Daud, issued this warning following reports of individuals falsifying marriage documents issued by Islamic religious councils in Southern Thailand, including Pattani.

He stated that the council has about eight to ten individuals who are authorized to conduct marriage ceremonies, which must be held at the MAIWP office.

“There are many syndicates that profit from this… charging higher fees compared to what MAIWP charges… we only charge between 4,000 baht (RM511.82) to 5,000 baht (RM639.78) for the marriage ceremony.

“There are syndicates, especially in Padang Besar (Songkhla)… but they forge (marriage) documents belonging to the Islamic religious council. So we reject them outright… we declare them as fake… they forge the signatures and official stamps of the council.

“We have serial numbers on the marriage certificates and dates… you can come to the Islamic religious council to verify whether the documents are genuine or fake… or check with the consulate office. If they are fake, we will cancel them immediately.

“We send the names of the authorized marriage officials (wali hakim) to Jakim and the religious offices, including examples of their signatures.

“In Pattani, there are about eight to ten authorized marriage officials (wali hakim),” he said, adding that he is concerned about the validity of the marriage if it does not meet the stipulated conditions and laws, including whether the marriage official is authorized.

He said this to reporters when met at the Grand Mosque of Pattani, in conjunction with the National Quran Recitation Competition of Thailand, last night (August 21, 2024).

Commenting further, he revealed that approximately 10 Malaysian couples get married at MAIWP each month, and the council imposes strict conditions for foreign couples wishing to marry in Pattani.

“If the requirements are met, we will approve it. Among the conditions are that the bride-to-be must have a letter of consent (from the guardian), must enter Thailand legally, and the marriage ceremony must take place at the Islamic religious council’s office.

“You cannot marry at other locations… this is to avoid fraud… that’s all,” he said.

Haji Abdul Rahman stated that after the marriage, the registration letter will be sent to the Malaysian Consulate General Office in Songkhla for registration.

Answering a question regarding the conditions for Malaysian men who wish to practice polygamy and come to Pattani to marry, he explained that the council does not impose a condition requiring permission from the first wife.

“But if there is permission from the imam there (where the man who wants to practice polygamy resides), it is better.

“But the initial conditions must still be met,” he said, explaining that MAIWP has the authority to conduct the marriage.

In response to a question, Haji Abdul Rahman explained that most couples who marry in Southern Thailand do so because they face difficulties or cannot obtain approval to marry in Malaysia.

“They marry here and then register in Malaysia. Moreover, MAIWP has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian authorities…

“This MoU is to prevent fraud… we follow the guidelines set by the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (Jakim),” he said.

When asked whether there were any dignitaries, including those with the title Datuk, who came to marry in Pattani, he replied:

“There are… there are also police officers… but it is done secretly… however, they must marry at the MAIWP office… we will photograph the marriage ceremony… and we will send the marriage documents to the consulate office.”