PATTAYA, THAILAND – A Valentine’s Day wedding rush turned the Banglamung district office in Chonburi province into a cheerful, festively decorated marriage venue as more than 20 couples lined up before opening time to register their unions.
Early queues and lively atmosphere
In the early morning, queues formed in front of the Banglamung district office as couples prepared their documents for marriage registration. The administration described an unexpectedly vibrant atmosphere that had been felt throughout the hallways and waiting areas all day on Valentine’s Day.
District chief officiated first ceremonies
District chief Anusak Piriyamorn personally conducted the weddings of the first five couples and signed their marriage documents. The ceremony room had been decorated with romantic touches to underline the special meaning of the day for the couples.
German-Thai couple among first to wed
The first couple to marry consisted of 44-year-old Suganda Khunpathi from Ubon Ratchathani province and 68-year-old German national Bernd Emil, who had been together for more than five years. They arrived at around 6:00 a.m., exchanged rings in front of witnesses and created an emotional moment that visibly moved many of those present.
Symbolic date for long-term commitment
Among the early couples were 53-year-old Niphaphon Saengchoi and 64-year-old Chainarin Pomamoon, who deliberately chose Valentine’s Day as the starting date for their marriage. For them, the date stood for love and long-term commitment, which they now wanted to secure legally through their marriage.
Milestone day for LGBTQ+ couples
Several LGBTQ+ couples also drew special attention as they arrived hand in hand to officially register their marriages. Their weddings were connected to the Marriage Equality Act, which had granted same-sex couples the right to marry since January 2025 and was regarded as a milestone for legal equality.
Support from local businesses
Local businesses in Pattaya supported the event by providing gifts and small prizes for the newly married couples. These gestures helped maintain a joyful mood throughout the day, while authorities expected that more than 200 marriages would be registered by the end of Valentine’s Day.
Public reflections on Valentine’s weddings
The coverage highlighted that, whether young or old, heterosexual or same-sex, more and more couples chose the day of love to begin their life together.
“For many, the date is a symbol of happiness and stability.”
said local observers. The report also posed the question of whether such a symbolic day mattered, or whether in the end only the relationship itself counted.