Blackmail? Son got his girlfriend pregnant.

[emu]

My wife and her daughter have been living with me in Australia, but her 16 year old son chose to stay in Thailand. The reason I am posting this, is that his 14 yo girlfriend is now pregnant, and her family want one million baht to not go to the police.
I have done some research online, and as far as I can work out, the worst that can happen to him would be a good behaviour bond or some such.
We already have a very modest house in Sisaket, and we've just bought another block on the main road for 230 000 baht. We had 1m bt earmarked to build the new house, and if we were to pay this "lottery win" to these people, this would put our plans back 5 years.
I am refusing to give them 1 satang, and the girl will not abort. So I already know what I have to do. I will have to end our marriage, and leave her to her perceived uncompromising culture and superstition. I refuse to give in to extortion.
Can anyone give any advice, or help me understand.
Oh, the father will not even discuss after 50% payment. He wants the lot. Ha, it,s not Chrismas yet mate.

[emu]

I see now that abortion is illegal in Thailand. Marriage is an option. We' be back in April if we survive til then, and that is when they expect payment.

[Marie]

I don't know for sure if they aim to blackmail you or not, though it looks like it. But I wouldn't give in to that ridiculous demand! If they went to the police, what wouldl happen? Your son would be locked up? Play an upmanship game with them. Spread the word through the grapevine that you're not paying or that you're divorcing ( but do you really have to?) and find out if they would settle for a lesser amount.

Hmm Yes, marriage is an option. But if they refuse that, letting him suffer the consequences seems to be a possibility too. LOL Besides, having in-laws who want to suck your money doesn't appeal to me much.

Good luck! I hope you sort this out without losing your lot.

[emu]

Thanks Marie. I think that if we were silly enough to bail him out this time, what might happen next year if he gets in trouble for something else? We can't support that.
My main problem, is that my wife is adamant that we have to pay because she loves her son. I think the opposite would be better. She says that any thai family would pay, and I know this is impossible. They see falang and think jackpot.

[djaidee]

If she loves him so much why didn't she intended that he goes to Australia as well???

Anyway, he is not 18 years old yet but was left behind in Thailand - so who really is the "Legal Guardian" of him???
I suppose the Father - so let him pay or let the son suffer the consequences, otherwise he will never learn from it and might think when in trouble there is always rich Farang who helps out.

Is your wife really up to divorce if you not pay the 1 Million Baht?

So on the other hand your already build House and the other bought Block on the Mainroad will be lost for you as well.

So I suggest even if it will end up for good (your wife don't get divorced), be careful how and were you invest more money in the near future in Thailand as everything might get lost for you - seems to me your wife is very fast when it comes to divorce, this way she can always gain money which she can use for her son.

How there is prove anyway that the son made her pregnant - maybe it was somebody else and they might think can get the most money out of you.
I am not sure about Thai Laws if he can be forced to do a "Paternity Test".

[emu]

Good points djaidee. The father died before I met mum, and his auntie cooks for him, and we give her money to give him a small wage. We have 5 rai of rubber only 3km from the village, and our plan was for him to be self sufficient. He wont work the rubber, but works for other people when he feels like it. Uncle works the rubber and keeps the money. Yes he is spoilt, and needs a wake up call. We bought a chinese motorbike for 30 000 new and he trashed it, and then we bought him a 2nd hand fino.
I get so wound up about this, but mum doesn't see what a drain he is. Hopefully, her fried will come tomorrow, and help her see.

[Mahindrasarath]

It's an easy way to make money,I don' want to blame its because Seans mindset. I've seen some flang peanut were lost.

[Curt]

Definitely time for junior to face the music.

Thai mother spoil their sons rotten. My brother-in-law, has never been held responsible for anything, ever! Mum always bails his rear end out.

[BUCKY]

They're asking the money from you because clearly they think you can afford it. If your wife is upset because you won't pay, she must think you can afford it. You must'd created quite an impression.

[paul_au]

Actually under Australian law blackmail and extortion is illegal. If you record phone conversation and gather proof of blackmail and extortion, then show this to your wife that what they are doing would be a jail sentence in Australia, tell your wife you are not going to sponsor a crime and tell them what they are doing is not only immoral but a crime. If you bend to your wife on this matter and you will be in for more blackmail in the future. My advice is to stop all financial support, they have been taking you for a ride, now it's time they got off there back side got a job and supported them selves. If you get a divorce, so what, you can buy a bloodger, there a dime a dozen, if your wife is not going meet you half way in life and respect you and your Australian culture, than she is not worth having. put a new washer in the financial tap and turn it off completely, she is losing your respect.