The Determination of ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) for Marriage in Pattani Province, Thailand.

Abstract

This study attempts to explore ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) arrangement and factor associated with the ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) payment of Malay Muslim bride in Pattani province of Thailand.  This incident research is a mixed methods research, which apply quantitative research method to collecting data from 417 marriage registrations in 2015 - 2016 and in-depth interview with religious leaders to understand their perspectives related to bride price payment.  The study found that the couple tend to arrange a wedding ceremony at the end of month with the percentage of 41.7 and the event is held in the morning between 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 76.9 % of Muslim wedding in Pattani are conducted in mosque during the month of January – April. The average age of a bride is 25.89 and the average age of a groom is 29.6. An average amount of ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) is 65,814.75 bath; a minimum amount is 100 bath and a maximum amount is 250,055 bath. According to the factor related to the ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) payment, the couple that get married during the month of January – April paid low number of ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) (not exceed 66,000 bath). The difference of wedding month associate with the ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) payment with statistically significant at .05 level. Bride age between 14 – 26 years old have a high paid for ‘Mahr’ (Dowry) (over 150,000 bath).