RATCHABURI: A runaway groom's uncle has offered to bring the teenager to a meeting to negotiate compensation, but the jilted bride's family has spurned the offer and plans to sue for twice the promised 300,000 baht dowry.
The abandoned bride was instead reported to be heading to Bangkok for a TV interview.
The family of 24-year-old Juthathip Nimnual threatened to sue for 600,000 baht after Pakin Junjerm, 18, failed to show up at their wedding ceremony in Ratchaburi on Sunday.
Adisak Junjerm, 26, the groom's uncle, said he was willing to take his nephew to talks with the bride’s family about the problem regarding the wedding. He said the family were not rich and could not meet the 600,000 baht compensation demanded. Talks were needed to patch up the problem, he said.
Mr Adisak admitted Pakin was at fault in not turning up at the wedding on Sunday. However, he did not want to interfere too much with his nephew's personal life.
He understood why Pakin did what he did, Mr Adisak said, and accused the bride’s family of reneging on their offer to front up the dowry to be shown at the wedding.
The bride's family changed their minds and instead asked for 200,000 baht in cash, plus gold jewellery, according to Mr Adisak.
Earlier, a cousin of the bride said Juthathip agreed to wed Pakin after their relationship developed. She asked for a 200,000 baht cash dowry and six baht-weight of gold. The groom’s side agreed and they had pre-wedding photographs taken, issued about 1,000 invitation cards and ordered a 170-table Chinese banquet.
However, Pakin did not show up, leaving Juthathip standing alone on the wedding stage. In a video clip posted on Manow Juthathip Nimnual Facebook page, the jilted bride is seen thanking her guests for supporting her wedding at Wat Pikoolthong in Muang district on Sunday, and then pointing out the groom was absent.
The groom was reported inThai media as having another girl friend, and showed photos of the two of them together.
Mr Adisak said if the bride’s side wanted to proceed with the lawsuit, so be it. On reports that Muang police wanted the two sides to hold talks, he said he was willing to attend because he wanted the matter to end as soon as possible.
Pol Lt Col Anek Butdee, investigation chief at Muang police station, said police had invited the two sides to hold talks on Tuesday about compensation. However, the bride said she did not want to talk. She had to consult her lawyer first. Ms Juthathip instead left for Bangkok for a TV appearance, Pol Lt Col Anek said.