[eskimosik]

I paid for the wedding, but I didn't pay a dowry directly--my in-laws were very kind and told me to keep the money to pay for the wedding and use to start our family. You need to talk with your fiance and future in-laws about it.

I hate to say this, but be wary, too. If they ask for an exorbitant amount and aren't planning to give it back or to pay for the wedding as FiP said, then that's likely only the beginning, and you'll be seen as a perpetual source of free money. I'm fortunate to have in-laws who are nothing like that at all, but because I've seen several friends face this situation, I feel I should mention it. Especially in rural Thailand, bagging a farang husband is often seen as a great source of income for the wife's whole family. It's a booming industry, I even read an article about it on the front page of one of the business dailies!