Thailand offers couples traditional and modern ways to celebrate their relationship, including services on elephant backs, romantic restaurants with views of Bangkok and one of the easiest countries to legally get married.

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ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

Bangkok - Dubbed “The City of Angels”, the pulsating capital of Bangkok began its regal rise quite humbly as “The Village of Plum Olives”. Nowadays luxury boutiques and gourmet eateries rub shoulders with gleaming historic places and temples. Perfect for wedding receptions, the city boasts several important traditionally Thai stilted teak houses, which as well as being important landmarks, are also available to reserve for private functions. Beyond the capital of Bangkok, gently cruise abroad a renovated rice barge as it chugs up the Chao Phraya River, known as “The River of Kings”.

Sirocco - Located on the 63rd floor of The Dome at lebua, Sirocco is the world's highest al fresco restaurant and one of Bangkok's most coveted dining choices. It never fails to leave one mesmerized with a breathtaking view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river, an amazing Skybar and quality Mediterranean fare with ingredients from the world's best markets. Live jazz music featuring vocalists of international repute, adds to its captivating ambiance for a perfectly romantic evening.

Phuket - The tropical southern island of Phuket is appropriately known as the Pearl of the South, offering and ideal setting for weddings and honeymoons. At Phuket’s Dusit Laguna, couples plant their own “Love Tree”, which will grow and bloom for years, representing their matrimonial union. Also on Phuket, the Club Andaman’s customized three-wheel “Wedding Tuk-Tuk” is a quirky Thai-Styled wedding carriage to begin their marital journey. For a truly endearing wedding escort, the JW Marriott on Phuket can arrange a cute baby elephant to accompany you to the altar.

Chiang Mai - In Thailand’s north, there are some unique Valentine’s Day interpretations of the traditional Lanna nuptials, including the magnificent Lanna Wedding on Elephant Back. Held in the historic northern town of Lampang near Chiang Mai, couples dressed in full Lanna costume ride atop the giant animals in an eye-catching pachyderm procession that leads from the town center to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre.

Andaman - One of the most awesome experiences you will ever have as newlyweds is the exhilaration of discovering a new underwater world in Thailand’s seas. Explore the waters around the uninhabited Similan and Surin Islands, considered among the world’s top dive sites. Whether you snorkel in the calm blue waters or scuba dive to the ocean below, you will float among an abundance of weird and wonderful rainbow colored fish and thriving coral reefs. Swim with turtles, play with inquisitive dolphins or get up close to a giant whale shark feeding away.
 

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ROMANTIC ACTIVITIES

Thailand is a country entwined with romance. Exotic and alluring, it is a beautiful tropical paradise where love blossoms as colorfully as the abundant orchid flowers. It is the perfect idyllic destination to tie the knot and indulge in an exclusively unique honeymoon that keeps the seeds of your relationship burning bright.

Nuptial Nirvana - Circled by canals and under the watchful protection of monumental Buddha statues, Ayutthaya’s centuries-old temple spires stretch to heavens, earning it the affectionate title of “Venice of the East”. The romance of a bygone era hangs in the air as you wander together through these proud reminders of Thailand’s glory.

Marital Magic - Imaging exchanging vows in the gentle late-afternoon breeze, standing together on a white sandy beach, with coconut groves as your chapel and the gorgeous glowing red sunset sinking on the horizon. The tropical southern island of Phuket is known as the Pearl of the South, and along with Ko Samui, and Ko Chang, Thailand’s coastline is washed in crystal blue waters and secluded beaches. A phenomenal prehistoric landscape of craggy limestone stacks teetering skyward from the sea; Phang-Nga Bay and Krabi is surely the land that time forgot.

Unique Unions - Equally as thrilling as ascending to heights for love, couples can plummet to depths under the sea for the Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony. Almost a decade old, this unusual annual event takes place off Trang’s Pak Meng Beach, in specially decorated seabed altar 10-metres underwater.

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GETTING MARRIED

Thailand is easier than most countries to legally marry but there are a few points to adhere to:
• It is a good idea to allocate around 4-6 days prior to the wedding to sort out any legal documentation.

• Marriage in Thailand should be performed according to Thai law.

• A religious ceremony alone is not legally binding and your marriage must also be registered at the nearest Amphoe (district) office. Arrange for an official to attend your ceremony.

• You must be at least 18 years of age and not divorced less than 310 days.

• If either party is widowed or divorced, relevant paperwork must be provided (and translated to Thai).

• Your marriage certificate will be in Thai. It is recommended to commission a “sworn translation” of the marriage certificate from a translation bureau for legal use.

• Although not obliged by law, it is a good idea to register your marriage with your relevant embassy/embassies.

• Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry to Thailand.

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WEDDING TRADITIONS

Thailand is predominantly Buddhist in belief, and even if you are not of this religious persuasion, a matrimonial ceremony by auspicious amber robed holy men is a unique and deeply spiritual blessing by which to begin the years of wedded fortitude.
The magical ritual of a traditional Thai wedding ceremony commences early in the cool morning air at a nearby temple, where invited monks hypnotically chant to give prayer and well wishes for the marriage. In respectful return, the bride and groom present food offerings to gain merit.


As the husband-to-be walks to the ceremony, he is accompanied by chatting guests and a costumed troop of rousing Long Drum musicians proudly pounding the call that the groom is approaching.
Surrounding by guests seated on the floor, the bride and groom seal the marital bond as an elder ties the couple’s wrists and heads together with thread. This ancient symbolic joining puts new meaning to the expressing “tying the knot”.
Lovely garlands and blessings are bestowed by family and close friends, and guests then pour holy water from a conch shell over the hands of the newlyweds. All this takes place among the fragrance of vibrant floral arrangements and with the melodious chorus of traditional Thai music, played by local performers.


If a Buddhist ceremony does not suit your religious inclination, arranging a marriage ceremony to suit a couple’s preferences is always possible as the Thai people are very tolerant and always eager to please all who visit Thailand. Whether you desire to be joined by a Catholic priest, Muslim imam, Jewish rabbi, or a simple civil ceremony, we will ensure your marriage will be the most memorable day of your life.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND