Girl’s family escapes charges in Thailand

GUA MUSANG: The family of a 11yearold child bride has escaped prosecution in Thailand after allowing their underage daughter to marry without prior consent from the authorities.

The mother of the bride said she had explained to the religious authorities in Thailand that she and her husband would not allow the marriage to be consummated until their daughter turned 16.

The mother explained this to Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council officers when she returned to Thailand to renew her work permit last week.

“The religious council did not take any further action. They were satisfied with our explanation that we would not allow our daughter to live with the groom until she turns 16,” she said at her home in Kampung Panggung Lalat here on Tuesday.

The 47yearold mother was also relieved that the Malaysian Syariah court did not imprison her 41yearold soninlaw.

On Monday, the Gua Musang lower Syariah court fined the man RM1,800 for marrying a minor without prior court consent and engaging in polygamy without seeking permission from his spouse.

News of the controversial marriage, which took place in Narathiwat on June 18, came to light last weekend when the groom’s second wife vented her frustration over the unusual union on social media.

The bride’s father hoped that the public would stop poking their noses into his family’s affairs now that the court had made its decision.

He said he and his family had been going through a difficult time since the story went viral.

“People keep coming to enquire about the marriage. Now that the authorities have made a decision, I hope people will just leave us be.

“I need to make a living. I am a poor rubber tapper. I need to work every day to put food on the table,” he said.

They were satisfied with our explanation that we would not allow our daughter to live with the groom until she turns 16. Child bride’s mother