george Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Cambodia sets age limit for foreign husbands PHNOM PENH, March 16, 2011 (AFP) - Male foreigners over the age of 50 have been outlawed from marrying Cambodian women in the country under new rules designed to crack down on sham marriages and human trafficking, the government said Wednesday. Foreigners who earn less than $2,550 per month are also barred from wedding local women, foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong told AFP, but the restrictions do not apply to weddings taking place overseas. Marriages between old men and young women are "inappropriate", Koy Kuong said, and foreign men who wish to marry nationals must earn a high salary to ensure that "Cambodian women can live a decent life". "We are preventing fake marriages and human trafficking," he said, adding that the government was aware of cases, documented by rights groups, where Cambodian women were sent into prostitution or "used as slaves" in their husband's home country. The Cambodian foreign ministry has sent a diplomatic note to all the embassies and consulates in the country informing them of the new regulations, which came into effect on March 1. Kek Galabru, president of local human rights group Licadho, praised the government's intention to protect Cambodian brides. But she said the new guidelines "go against Cambodian marriage law and international law" -- specifically the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. "This is discrimination against women because they will not be allowed to marry men who are over 50... while Cambodian men can marry any foreign woman they choose," she said. Cambodia imposed a temporary ban on foreign marriages in 2008 to prevent human trafficking, amid concern over a sharp rise in the number of brokered unions involving South Korean men and poor Cambodian women. That ban followed an International Organisation for Migration report that said many Cambodian brides suffered abuse after moving to South Korea in marriages hastily arranged by brokers who made large profits. The restriction was lifted about eight months later after new laws were introduced to prevent women becoming mail-order brides. -- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-03-16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAWP Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 (edited) Holy crap... Also to add, so what they are saying is that most men in Cambodia is not giving their wives a decent life, if their definition is set at $2,550/m (75k baht/m). Edited March 16, 2011 by TAWP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybother Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 What happens if the woman is over 50? Does she have to find someone under 50 if she wants to marry a foreigner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Why not just ban the old Korean men instead of all men. Why not just investigate and punish those that abuse the girls. Another overreaction by the do gooders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slip Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 As you say TAWP. Holy crap! Howwver- if this bit is true; That ban followed an International Organisation for Migration report that said many Cambodian brides suffered abuse after moving to South Korea in marriages hastily arranged by brokers who made large profits. I don't know this organisation, is this a genuine issue that I've been ignorant of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I think the Thai goverment should consider similar laws to prevent the OAP's from being ripped/murdered off by their young brides to get at the cash... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 So what is the average salary of a Cambodian guy who wants to marry ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buchholz Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 as nothing transpires without his ok, Hun Sen strikes again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Hmmm that'll mark Cambodia off many people's lists now (and add it to a few others!) "Sorry doll, I can't marry you as I am over 50!" That could be their new tourism slogan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckarooBanzai Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I think the Thai goverment should consider similar laws to prevent the OAP's from being ripped/murdered off by their young brides to get at the cash... To non-Brits: Accepted United Kingdom shortened form of Old Age Pensioner (OAP). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsetBkk Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Oh, bugger! Too late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crushdepth Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 (edited) Also to add, so what they are saying is that most men in Cambodia is not giving their wives a decent life, if their definition is set at $2,550/m (75k baht/m). You beat me to it. Perhaps Cambodian men should be forbidden from marrying unless they can match the same requirements as these dirtbag foreigners. Edited March 16, 2011 by Crushdepth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janverbeem Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Maybe I'm missing something,but I thought I had always read here that Cambodia was so much more foreigner friendly than Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backfromouterspace Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 There would be an uprising in Isaan if the govt tried to push this through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
givenall Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Holy crap... Also to add, so what they are saying is that most men in Cambodia is not giving their wives a decent life, if their definition is set at $2,550/m (75k baht/m). Just take them across boarder to Merma or Thailand and marry and go back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunholidaysun1 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Who wants to marry one anyway , better off doing what most do here , have fun and run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 (edited) Seems harsh. But on the other hand straight people now can experience what the vast majority of the world's gay people have to live with, the state dictating who you can and can't marry. Edited March 16, 2011 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiawatcher Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Surely the age barrier is a minority in human trafficking, not a majority percentage or is Cambodia in its usual witch hunting corruption, stating the majority of marriages over 50's is connected with human trafficking? What a croc and how absurd in a country still hiding in fear of reprisal from Khmer. Perhaps they need to establish an "Inquisition" and public floggings into anyone interested in marrying a Cambodian when over the age of 50. Cambodia is still in the Dark Ages. You can't be happy all your life - you have to get married sooner or later! I waited until 53 and have a wonderful 33 year old Thai wife (at the time) and 2 great kids now. Maybe I'm not normal... it has been said! Thank God I didn't chose a Cambodian girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossBones Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 This is ridiculous I thought it was one of TV's premature April Fools jokes But its true http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/16/3166019.htm?section=justin This doesnt make any sense at all.. what a load of crap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP25 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 $2,550 per month I'm sure the Barang Brigade will be here soon to explain how this is just another step in Cambodia becoming the premier retirement destination Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumball Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 The thing is , you do not need to marry a Cambodian female to be accepted by the people , you go through a village ritual promising allegiance and love to her , then she can go anywhere with the man and not be looked down upon . The men would not get married if they had to comply with the monetary issue , many only earn around $100.00 a month and that is if they work in the city . The country would lose huge amounts of money pumped into the country by foreign husbands plus many families would still be living in poverty , also , the ripple effect of that money would leave many more villagers in poverty . Cambodia is supported by foreign aid , take that away and it would rapidly go back its populace swinging in the trees , no joke !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysterybkk Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 i know i'm setting myself up to get flamed now, but i kinda think this is a good thing. obviously the govt wants to prevent old men marrying young girls for the wrong reasons. while they may not be forced to marry them, what do you expect when you go from having nothing to everything in terms of relativity.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobr Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I think the Thai goverment should consider similar laws to prevent the OAP's from being ripped/murdered off by their young brides to get at the cash... No, if they needed a nanny state to protect them from their own adult decisions, they should stay home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 i know i'm setting myself up to get flamed now, but i kinda think this is a good thing. obviously the govt wants to prevent old men marrying young girls for the wrong reasons. while they may not be forced to marry them, what do you expect when you go from having nothing to everything in terms of relativity.... Consider yourself flamed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP25 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 The thing is , you do not need to marry a Cambodian female to be accepted by the people , you go through a village ritual promising allegiance and love to her , then she can go anywhere with the man and not be looked down upon . They can go anywhere, as long as it's in Cambodia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 (edited) What's next from Cambodia? Serious visa requirements for long stays like Thailand? Now anyone with a pulse and a few shekels to pay some fees can live there permanently by dealing with their local travel agent. It's a crackdown! Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, what's the world coming to? Edited March 16, 2011 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjclark1 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Hmmm that'll mark Cambodia off many people's lists now (and add it to a few others!) "Sorry doll, I can't marry you as I am over 50!" That could be their new tourism slogan! You can still marry your young Thai/Vietnamese lady and live in Cambodia You are allowed to own land and live there without a problem, you just can't marry a local girl. "Sorry luv, I really want to marry you,but your government won't let me" ....... Sounds like the perfect country to retire to, no pressure to marry EVER! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Maybe I'm missing something,but I thought I had always read here that Cambodia was so much more foreigner friendly than Thailand. Exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRS1 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 When i turn 50 i will go to cambodia, because my money will be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exterminator Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Jolly good news! Now I am a "lawful" excuse to keep the vixens at bay! and stay a bachelor boy...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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