Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome (4th
right), Richard Margo (5th right), Resident Manager at Amari Orchid Pattaya, and
Theeraporn Jitnawa (3rd right), general manger of Central Festival Pattaya
Beach, cut the garland opening Valentine’s Day 2014: Love Destination, with
guests at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Warunya Thongrod
Lovebirds found Valentine’s Day in Pattaya a sobering experience, as the
romantic holiday coincided with one of the holiest Buddhist days of the year.
But in some places, love prevailed.
The Banglamung District Office - which usually closes every legal holiday -
actually opened on Makha Bucha Day to accommodate couples wanting to marry on
Valentine’s Day.
Banglamung District Chief Sakchai
Taengho (right), giving thoughtful advice to couples getting married on
Valentine’s Day.
“Since we believe that people today give much importance to
getting married on Valentine’s Day, we decided to open for marriages only,”
District Chief Sakchai Taengho said. “People get married on this day because
they believe that Valentine’s Day is a symbol of love and stability in married
life. The office was filled with lovers getting married and I would like to
remind everyone that marriage requires patience and understanding for a long and
sustainable love.”
Newlyweds Surachat and Asara Sopharak were glad the office did open. “We chose
this year’s Valentine’s Day to get married because it is an international
celebration and also an important day for Buddhism, a day of prosperity.”
Those not ready to tie the knot also found a few ways to mark the occasion.
The intersection of Central and Beach Road was decorated in red and white with a
“Pattaya in Love” banner hoisted so tourists could take photos for Valentine’s
Day. A large number of them did just that.
At Central Festival Pattaya Beach, Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Amari Orchid Resort
& Tower Residence Manager Richard Margo and mall General Manager Theeraporn
Jitnawa hosted a wedding fair featuring Thai, Chinese and Indian styles, a
long-drum procession, a Japanese paper wedding dress show by Rajamangala
University of Technology Thanyaburi students, stage performances and ice
sculptures.
The event also featured shirt painting for charity, with proceeds going to the
Camillian Social Center and Foundation in Rayong.
(L to R) Surachat and Asara Sopharak
pose for a picture with Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho after having
gotten married at Banglamung office.
Banglamung District Office was busy
on Valentine’s Day.
A Russian couple poses for a
commemorative Valentine’s photo at Pattaya Beach.
The intersection of Central and
Beach Road was decorated in red and white with a “Pattaya in Love” banner
hoisted so tourists could take photos for Valentine’s Day.
Richard Margo, Resident Manager at
Amari Orchid Pattaya, talks about the importance of organizing “Valentine’s Day
2014: Love Destination”.
Beautiful models display a Japanese
paper wedding dress created by a student from Rajamangala University of
Technology in Thanyaburi.
Thai traditional dancers gracefully
perform as part of the long-drum procession - a Thai wedding tradition.
Groom and bride smile happily during
Thai wedding ceremonies.
