7 replies to this topic

[TheYenta]

"While most people in committed relationships demand faithfulness from their partner, a recent survey has found that a number of them cheated - or are still cheating - on their significant other. Of the 1,480 Thai people aged 18 and older who were polled, about 40 per cent said they had had one or more romantic relationships with people other than their spouse or committed partner.

Nearly 40 per cent of these unfaithful partners said they were still cheating on their partners.

"We are concerned that having 'giks' [casual affairs] will become something common," said Noppadon Kannika, head of the Assumption University's Social Innovation in Manage-ment and Business Analysis Research Centre, yesterday. The centre conducted the survey on October 9 and 10 in Bangkok and nearby provinces in a bid to explore why people cheat on their partners.

According to the survey, women's fussiness, men's incompetence, family conflicts and loneliness are among the main reasons why people are unfaithful. Pursuit of sexual pleasure, the desire to prove one's sexual appeal, and stress were also cited as reasons."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/12...al_30052198.php

[Hedda]

"We are concerned that having 'giks' [casual affairs] will become something common,"

That horse left the Thai barn a long time ago. My guess is that the percentage of people having sex outside marriage or other permanent relationship would be over 90% if only men were surveyed. In fact, virtually any Thai man I ever met didn't even consider having sex with multiple partners as "cheating" on his spouse or significant other, with a man or woman.

As far as I can tell, this society still practices de facto polygamy, no matter what the law may say, at all levels. It's a lot easier when you are rich, but it's hardly confined to the Thai upper crust. The only rule is to be discreet, so as not to embarass someone or cause anyone to lose face. Theyve been practicing "don't ask, don't tell" here centuries before that slogan surfaced in the US Army. My guess is that the phrase "mai pen rai" was probably invented to cover this precise situation.

[mauRICE]

The article also says:

However, when asked what they would do if they found out that their partner had cheated on them, more than 85 per cent said they would not be able to accept it.

Ain't that the truth. I've heard many philandering Thais complain that their farang are chowchook or 'butterflies'. I guess what's good for the gander is not good for the goose that lays the golden eggs.

[conrad]

Mia Noi .!?

[dolypardon]

what does that mean ?

[mauRICE]

mia = wife (colloquial)

mia luang = first or principal wife (usually the legitimate wife)

mia yai = major wife (rarely used now; superceded by mia luang)

mia noi = minor wife

mia kep = secret wife or mistress ("kept woman")

mia sue = bought wife

mia chow = rented wife

These days, the term mia noi is almost always used derogatorily (often tongue-in-cheek) and is synonymous with mia kep or mistress. However in the old days of slavery and large polygamous households, the mia noi or minor wife would traditionally live in the same house as the mia yai, sometimes peacefully, sometimes not. Naturally, her position was less exalted than the mia yai's. Servants, for instance, would always run her instructions by the mia yai before complying. A mia chow or rented wife was not necessarily a whore but could be a hiree for procreation or breastfeeding purposes if the mia yai was barren. A mia sue was a slave girl purchased for marriage. And what were you cynics thinking?

There are other in-betweens but I'm off to Sunday breakfast at my grandfather's. Tutelu.

[UncleSam]

mia luang = first or principal wife
mia yai = major wife
mia noi = minor wife
mia kep = secret wife or mistress ("kept woman")
mia sue = bought wife
mia chow = rented wife

What about mia katoey ?

hehehe.....

[Rogie]

mauRICE, I'd be interested to know if there has been any tradition in Thailand of men, already with a range of mias in their household, also sleeping on a regular basis with another man or boy under the same roof and it being recognised by having its own term, along the lines of mia this and mia that?[/size]