Thailand offers unique Thai way to tie the knot and celebrate Valentine’s Day

18th Underwater Wedding Ceremony in Trang

Thailand has long been one of the world’s most popular destinations for couples celebrating weddings and honeymoons. With its friendly people, stunning beaches, romantic landscapes and picturesque backdrops, the kingdom is a charming place to “tie the knot” or enjoy a honeymoon and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Every February, Thailand’s more romantic locations make a special effort to ensure that couples coming here to wed and celebrate their union have a romantic and memorable stay. But of course, Thailand is a romantic venue at any time of year. People are attracted by the grace and style of Thailand’s unique culture and Buddhist traditions and the fact that the kingdom offers every modern indulgence, with everything from luxurious pool-villa accommodation to private jet travel and stunning local scenery.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of TAT said, “When it comes to weddings, there are few destinations to rival Thailand. The kingdom, with its ancient customs and lovely locations, scented evenings and welcoming people seems to embody romance in every way. People have been coming here for years to get married and enjoy honeymoons and now TAT is helping them do this in ever more memorable ways to tie the knot or simply enjoy Valentine’s Day.”

Among the memorable and unique Thai ways to get married and enjoy honeymoons during February 2014 are:

18th Underwater Wedding Ceremony in Trang

Often covered by the international press and seen as a romantic highlight of Thailand’s marriage season, the Underwater Wedding Ceremony of Trang is now in its 18th year. In 2000, the Guinness World Records recognised it as “The World’s Largest Underwater Wedding Ceremony.”

This year, the event is being held from 10-12 February, 2014. Highlights of the three-day romantic event include the planting of charming Sri-trang trees to mark a long and happy union. Couples will also take part in the traditional Thai wedding ceremony during which water is poured onto the hands of the young couple by guests as a way of blessing the union. Then the couple put on their scuba gear and head under the waves for the most unique of wedding ceremonies. The fun reception is then held on the beach, and the new couples and their guests can take sightseeing tours of Trang city and nearby attractions.

Elephant-back Wedding Ceremony in Surin
One of the most unique Siamese ways to get married is known as the “Sut Tae Ritual” and this can be experienced at the Elephant Study Centre in the Tha Tum district of Surin.
On Valentine’s Day itself, the local people, (known as Kuai) will help couples wed in their traditional style.

Dressed in Thai silk, the bridegroom sits atop a majestic elephant and rides with great pomp to greet his bride to be. She will have been dressed by the local women and be clad in Thai silk and adorned with a traditional head-dress. When she joins her groom on top of their gigantic pachyderm, a magnificent parade takes place as special ceremonies are performed to ensure a long and happy union.

The marriage registration formalities even take place while the couple are on the elephants. Local people say that this way of getting married will ensure good fortune and prosperity to the couple for years to come.

February Festival of Love in Suphan Buri
The February Festival of Love will be held from 1-15 February, 2014, at the city’s Central Gardens in Suphan Buri.

During the event, visitors will be able to enjoy the Red Valentine rose garden which evokes the magnificent gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Here, to celebrate the day of love, several weddings will be taking place. And there is a great deal for guests to enjoy, with the region’s famous products, including offerings from OTOP (one tambon one product) to be found. The local plant nurseries and orchards are also great places to buy lovely plants and flowers at affordable prices.

Wedding ceremony at the Red Lotus Sea, Udon Thani
A wedding is nothing without flowers, and Udon Thani offers millions of them. When getting married at the “Million Red Lotus” Sea at Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake, happy couples and their guests will be mesmerised by millions of red lotus flowers that grow abundantly in the wetlands of the Kumphawapi reservoir and the Nong Han Pond.

From 11-12 February, 2014, couples can wed in a traditional Thai-Isan style ceremony. It is sure to be a memorable occasion for all.