The
southern province of Trang has played a vital role in making traditional Thai
wedding better known worldwide through its annual event “Trang Underwater
Wedding Ceremony.”
Trang Governor Somsak Parisuttho Hemthanon said
that Trang is recognized as a romantic destination and that the province
attracts many couples from various countries to its unique wedding ceremony.
Since Valentine’s Day falls on 14 February, the
whole month of February is regarded as the month of love in many places. A
number of couples have chosen to tie the knot during this period of the year.
Trang province takes this opportunity to organize this mass wedding ceremony
that differs from that held elsewhere, as it takes place underwater. The Trang
Underwater Wedding Ceremony is also recorded in the Guinness Book of World
Records as the world’s largest underwater wedding.
Participating in this wedding are both Thai and
foreign couples. The event in 2014, the 18th of its kind, is scheduled for
10-12 February. It will be joined by 31 Thai and foreign couples. As for
foreign couples, they are from France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the
United Arab Emirates, and China. A total of 481 couples participated in this
event during the past 17 years. Out of this number, 404 couples were Thais and
77 couples were foreigners who came from 31 countries.
Organized by the Trang Chamber of Commerce, in
cooperation with several local organizations, the Trang Underwater Wedding
Ceremony 2014 will be held under the concept "Let your love glitter the
world.” The participating couples must be qualified divers.
Upon their arrival at Trang airport on 10
February, they will be given a warm welcoming ceremony. After that they will be
led to plant a “tree of love” and attend a traditional water-blessing ceremony
at the Trang Peninsular Botanical Gardens in Thung Khai subdistrict, which is
about 13 kilometers from the town of Trang. There will be a grand procession
and cultural performances, as well.
In the wedding ceremony, the couples will wear
traditional Thai costumes. They will also attend the kin niao traditional rite,
to be held for the brides and grooms to take ceremonial glutinous rice, as it
is believed that, with the ceremonial glutinous rice, they will stick with each
other with love forever.
On 11 February, the couples will slip below the
water on Kradan Island, within the Hat Chao Mai National Park, in Kantang
district to exchange rings and register in the presence of witnesses. Kradan
Island, one of the most beautiful islands in Trang, is located about 40 minutes
by boat from the mainland.
On 12 February, the couples will make a tour to
enjoy both natural and cultural attractions in the province, which is located
on the coast of the Andaman Sea.
(thailand.prd.go.th)