A 37-year-old woman in Thailand has drawn widespread attention after tying the knot with two Austrian men in a single wedding ceremony, an arrangement that the trio say was built on mutual understanding and years of companionship.
The ceremony took place in the northeastern Thai province of Buriram, where family members gathered to witness the unconventional union. The bride, Duangduan Ketsaro, formalised her relationship with two long-time partners — both of whom are close friends from Austria.
While such arrangements remain rare and legally complex in many parts of the world, the three adults involved said their decision was the result of careful discussion and a shared commitment to one another.
Long-term relationships led to shared decision
Duangduan was previously married to a Thai national and is a mother of three. She first entered into a relationship with one of the Austrian men, identified as Roman, after meeting him in Pattaya, where she was working at the time. Roman, a retired police officer, reportedly lived with her for five years.
During that period, she was introduced to Roman’s close friend, Macky, who also works as a police officer in Austria. Over time, Macky developed feelings for Duangduan, and the two began a relationship of their own.
According to local reports, rather than allowing the situation to create tension, the three adults discussed their future openly. After about a year of Duangduan being in a relationship with Macky, the trio agreed that she would marry both men in a joint ceremony.
The two men are said to have maintained a strong friendship throughout, describing their arrangement as one grounded in trust and mutual respect.
Family gives blessing, dowry agreed
Duangduan’s parents were reportedly supportive of the decision, stating that their primary concern was their daughter’s well-being. Her mother shared that she had seen the challenges Duangduan faced over the years and was content so long as her daughter felt secure and cared for.
As part of the wedding customs, both Roman and Macky agreed to provide a dowry of one million Thai baht each. Based on current exchange rates, that amounts to approximately S$40,700 per person, bringing the total to about S$81,400.
Despite the sizeable sum, Duangduan’s family indicated that financial considerations were not their priority. Instead, they expressed hope that the three would build a harmonious household founded on love and understanding.
The ceremony has since sparked online discussion across Southeast Asia and Europe, with many debating cultural norms, marriage laws and the evolving definition of family structures in a globalised world. While Thailand does not legally recognise polyandrous marriages, the trio’s public celebration underscores how personal relationships can sometimes challenge traditional expectations.