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Tony weds Rung - A fusion of cultures and traditions through love and endearment

Tony weds Rung - A fusion of cultures and traditions through love and endearment

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