daeum_tnaot wrote:Seems like there are a lot of issues related to marriage documentation with the Cambodian government. Wonder if this is common around the world or unique to Cambodia.

Cambodia is the Kingdom of Wonder.
Every document is original and has a stamp or seal. There is no such thing as a copy. If more is needed, more originals are created. Marriage requires an official document stating the parents of both sides (if both are Khmer), agree to the marriage arrangement. And that’s for starters.

Lots of Wonder. An entire Kingdom’s worth.

Meanwhile at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA... quickie wedding
... or even drive thru wedding.

PSD-Kiwi wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 10:19 am Simply put, the Cambodian Govt. don't want their Citizens to get married abroad, and they've been very transparent about that.

Is there any reason for this? Or they just want their citizens to be like prisoners... or so they can collect fees for people to get married in Cambodia?

PSD-Kiwi wrote:Friend of my wife's married an older South Korean gent about 2 years ago, he put her through language school to learn Korean and then they moved to Sth Korea, and she is now forced to work long days on his farm, not allowed to have friends, does not have access to her passport, etc...but, she told my wife that she is happier there than in Cambodia (she came from an abusive marriage with a Khmer guy and had no family).

So she married a farmer. And she’s a farmer’s wife.
Sounds like she’s working alongside her husband. And her husband’s a bit of a loner. As long as she’s happy.

Is that any different from the Khmer who married Khmer Americans and are now working long hours making donuts with their husbands, too?

They are sharing the dream together and working hard to make it a reality.

Great thread. Keep it coming.

I feel conflicted about this as on one hand I can see that it's important to avoid human trafficking. And there are some families that just push their children to do stupid things as they see the child as a resource t be exploited. I could definitely imagine some family member pushing a young person to get married without really caring and without having the understanding of the risks themselves.

On the other hand, this policy is really discriminatory to many foreigners and their Khmer partners. First, they make their own process to get married in Cambodia very painful, unpleasant, and expensive. Then if you marry in another country they don't want to recognize your marriage, which denies the foreign partner of many of their rights as a married person.

I tend to think there should be another process, a different method to address the human trafficking issue.

PSD-Kiwi wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:56 pm
Friend of my wife's married an older South Korean gent about 2 years ago, he put her through language school to learn Korean and then they moved to Sth Korea, and she is now forced to work long days on his farm, not allowed to have friends, does not have access to her passport, etc...but, she told my wife that she is happier there than in Cambodia (she came from an abusive marriage with a Khmer guy and had no family).

A family member (sister of my wife’s uncle) lives in Korea and often brags about her life there. Sends money and presents back, mostly skin whitening, and pictures of her “wonderful life”. The fact is she’s an uneducated unskilled factory worker but when her family (my wife) retell tales of her wealth she’s earning below average wage and is regarded as a lowly immigrant, which is what she is.

It doesn’t stop the family talking about her in glowing terms.
It’s telling she can’t afford the airfare to come and visit, especially now.
I just let them carry on. No point explaining.

PSD-Kiwi wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:56 pm ..but, she told my wife that she is happier there than in Cambodia (she came from an abusive marriage with a Khmer guy and had no family).

This is a sad story, but who are we to judge ? Some people will say that this woman is a victim, but if she made a choice to escape to Korea, and it is better than her life in Cambodia, then why not ?

PSD-Kiwi: I didn’t know the full story. I believe you are correct. I would be think that a husband would want his new wife by his side at all times. Unless it’s a Korean thing. I’m not Korean.

As for a dream life, it’s different for everyone. For western women, it’s a Disney princess life.

Anchor Moy: maybe she is living her dream life now. Just that her dream doesn’t conform to western expectations.

As to the poor soul who is forced to brag that her life is better in Korea. She was sent to Korea by her family to give them a better life. She has to keep face (unfortunately) and not tell it like it is.

Great thread. Keep it going.