187 couples wed in Phuket on Valentine Day
PHUKET: Phuket’s three district offices, Muang, Kathu and Thalang, were jammed yesterday as couples queued to get married on the most romantic day of the year – Valentine’s Day.
Nattha Thepbamrung
Friday 15 February 2013, 04:42PM
At Muang, District Officer Supachai Pochnukul handed out a small gift to every couple, and had a special romantic backdrop installed for post-ceremony photos.
A total of 116 couples were married at the Muang office, including an Indonesian and his Thai beloved, and a Thai man and his betrothed from Africa.
In Kathu, District Officer Apisan Sa-Ngasri had the office decked out with balloons. Every couple, after signing, was given a patongko – the Thai twin breadstick that is also a symbol of togetherness – to eat together, along with a set of chopsticks and two heart-shaped chocolates. Each couple also received another gift, drawn by lot.
Among the 28 couples married at Kathu were Andrey Gorbachev and Olga Novenkova from Russia.
Deputy District Officer Rashane Songdaeng said “They were the highlight of the day, very impressive. They arrived all dressed up in their wedding clothes, signed the register and exchanged rings. They also had friends who came along as witnesses.”
In Thalang, despite the fact that officials made no particular effort to celebrate Valentine’s Day, 43 couples, all Thai, registered their marriages.
People wanting to register divorces at any of the three offices were told, “If it’s not really, really urgent, please come back tomorrow.”
