Two nervous parents stood outside the gates of the
Thongsai residence not too long ago where they were confronted by Khun
Areeya who demanded to know what the purpose of their visit was.
The father was at a loss for words but as always the mother came to the
rescue and boldly said, ‘we are here to ask for the hand of your daughter
for the purpose of marrying our son.’
‘Oh’ said the lady of the house, ‘this calls for negotiations then, do
come in.’
After the very cordial and pleasant discussions Khun Areeya Thongsai, the
eldest daughter of the Thongsai household granted permission for their
youngest sister Rungratree to marry Suwanthep (Tony) the second son of
Pratheep and Vasinee Malhotra MD of the Pattaya Mail.
Thus began a week long series of ceremonies and celebrations culminating
in the holy matrimony of Tony and Rung, two young people from different
cultures yet destined to meet, wed and raise a family of their own.
The engagement ceremony or the ‘Ring Ceremony’ as is known amongst the
Indian community was held on the 7th of March at the ballroom of the
Chaophya Park Hotel in Bangkok. The affair was attended by hundreds of
members from the different families that were closely related to the
Malhotra and Thongsai clans, not to mention the many friends of the happy
couple.
This Indian oriented celebration had all the trimmings as would have been
expected in a maharaja’s palace. Indian ladies in their finest and
colorful saris, Thai ladies in their exquisite traditional dresses and the
Indian men wearing their elegant turbans filled the hall. But all of that
was outshone by the bride and groom to be. Rung looked stunning in her
radiant Indian princess dress and Tony was a picture of elegance in a
cream coloured suit.
On Friday the 10th of March the wedding ceremony was held at the Malhotra
residence, which conformed to the traditional Buddhist religious rites.
The day started at 6 a.m. as 9 monks chanted prayers after which the hosts
offered them food and refreshments.
At the auspicious hour of 07.00 hrs the marriage rituals began, whereby
the groom’s parents presented their offerings for the approval of the
bride’s family. Wholeheartedly satisfied with the offerings, the marriage
was allowed to proceed.
Promptly at 09.59 hrs the ceremonies to bless the couple commenced with
the pouring of lustral water into their hands, binding them to love and
care for each other for all eternity. Family elders led the long
procession of guests which included city dignitaries and heads of
businesses and associations in Pattaya and the eastern seaboard in this
ritual.
A fun though serious business at the end of the morning’s affair was the
blessing of the newly weds’ bed. Khun Pratheep and Khun Yupaporn
Puangwattanawong a couple who have been happily married for a very long
time re-enacted the scene of a husband and wife going to bed. They wished
each other a pleasant sleep and spoke of their dreams of happiness,
abundant offspring and good fortune. At break of dawn they awakened to a
beautiful morning full of love and happiness. The ritual was repeated by
the Tony and Rung.
The Malhotra residence saw a stream of well-wishers throughout the day
where guests were treated to refreshments and a fine buffet
The very long and exhausting day for the newlyweds ended at 19.00 hrs when
their parents and close relatives took them to their room in a ritual of
‘sending off’ the couple to begin their long journey through life
together, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, to assist and
protect each other as they travel on destiny’s path, wishing them
happiness and luck for all eternity.
The following Sunday, the couple paid homage at the Gurudwara (Sikh
temple) where the circle of blessings of all religious faiths that bind
their holy matrimony was rendered complete.
Tony, is a graduate of International College Mahidol University with a BA
degree in Tourism and Hotel Management and is the Director of Sales and
Marketing of Pattaya Mail Publishing Company Limited. He is studying at
the Graduate School of Commerce, Burapha University for the International
MBA degree, whilst Rungratree has a M. Ed degree in Education Technology
from the Srinakharin Virote University and is a government employee
working at Pattaya City Hall as a level 6 Public Relations officer.
Daddy Peter escorts Rung
into the ballroom
Tony thanks the guests for
their support
Getting ready for family
life
Exchanging rings Indian
style
Dave the man behind the
scenes and on stage
Uncle Chan, Mitr, Tony,
Rung, cousin Pinky and Aunty Baby
Bob, Pravit, Tony, Vikrom
and Sukdev
Friends from Tony’s MBA
course, Ake, P’Nid, P’Porn, beautiful Aoy, sexy Pooh, cute Katae, sweet
Rachi, charming Rung, handsome Tony, Natalie, Jaey, Schu, Gib and Mr.
Black
Tony and Rung surrounded by
family and friends
Jitrapun Moore, Tony, Rung,
Chada and Nick Verbek
Aunty Wanna and Grand Aunty
bless Tony and Rung
Add, Tony, Rung and Vikrom
After the religious ceremony
Tony and Rung symbolically offered food and clothing to their ancestors.
Uncle Marlowe, Aunty
Malvinder and Uncle Jit sprinkle flowers over the offerings.
The couple washes their
parent’s feet, asking for forgiveness for all their wrongdoings.
Daddy Peter and Mummy Rani
Sophin Thappajug, MD of
Diana Group
Deputy Mayor Ronakit
Ekasingh
Mayor Nirun
Wattanasartsathorn
Chanyuth Hengtrakul,
Chonburi MP
Alisa Phanthusak, Asst. MD
of Tiffany’s
Saradej Sudasna, GM of
Eastern Star
Panga Wattanakul, MD of
Royal Cliff
Jin Srikasikorn, Rotary
District Governor
Khun Yupaporn
Puangwatanawong
Khun Areeya Thongsai
Uncle Jit, Aunty Wanna and
Eddie
Xanxai Visitkul with Daddy
Peter
Walter Kretschmar, director
of TGI
Brother Dave with his new
sis-in-law
Khun Yupaporn blesses the
bed of the newly weds
Mummy Rani, Khun Noi, Khun
Jintana and Daddy Peter
Aunty Sue with Judy and
Bruce Hoppe
The Pattaya Mail pose with
the newly-weds.
Khun Pratheep, Khun Yupaporn
Khun Areeya, Katae Kannika, and Janthima
Peter, Grandma Ajit Kaur,
Mummy and Dave
Deborah and Paisan
Bundityanond with Ronakit Ekasingh
Pratheep, Rung, Tony,
Yupaporn and Katae
Amornrat and Amorn Malhotra
At 19.00 hrs on March 10,
Tony escorts Rung into their room as Mummy Rani blesses them with holy
water and Daddy Peter and Aunty Wanna wish the newly weds a happy life
together
