Six uniquely Thai ways to celebrate San Valentino

From praying for love to getting hitched under the sea, there are quite a few ways that Thais across the country can uniquely celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Here are six of our favorites.
 

1. Pray for Love

Believe it or not, praying for a sweetheart here is second nature to some. And one shrine in particular -- the Trimurti -- is a particular favorite among lovelorn singletons. Every Thursday at 9pm, armed with red roses, candles and incense sticks, they kneel before this full-time Hindu deity, part-time love doctor. This Valentine's Day will be no different, with Robert Pattinson and Korean boy-band look-alike requests likely to number in the thousands. 

CentralWorld Plaza (in front of Isetan Department store), Ratchadamri Road, BTS: Chidlom 

2. Get hitched in Bangkok's Love District

Lots of superstitious lovebirds choose Valentine's Day to register their marriages. The district office in Bangkok’s Bang Rak neighborhood is especially popular, as its auspicious name, which means ‘Village of Love’, is thought to bring long-lasting love. Head here and you can expect a good-natured scrum as hundreds of brides and grooms, many in full matrimonial garb, declare their betrothal in front of local journos and television crews.

Bang Rak District Office, 5 Nares Road, Bang Rak. Tel +66 (0)2 236 1395

3. Say it with flowers… lots of them

When it comes to saying it with flowers this Valentine’s Day, many of Bangkok’s clued-up Casanovas will just cut out the middleman -- the rose-vendors -- and head straight for the perpetually bustling Pak Klong Talad. Here, at Bangkok’s 24-hour fresh flower market, you can snag a bunch of 50 or more red roses for less than 100 baht. Do the math: that’s a few measly US dollars… and major brownie points from your flabbergasted lover.

Pak Khlong Talad, Chakrapetch Road, Maharat Road, Phra Nakorn. Pak Khlong Talat Pier

4. Swig homespun aphrodisiacs

Dotted down dark streets across the country are stalls selling 10 baht shots of herb-infused Thai whisky. Typically the city's blue-collar set swigs them after a hard day at the cement-grinder. There's nothing very romantic about that, except for the fact that many of these earthy brews are considered libido-boosters and so should be necked with considerable gusto this San Valentino. CNNGo warning: sample a shot of Murmuring Lady at your poor partner's peril.

At fairy light-lit street stalls nationwide. 

5. Amorous teen interludes

Ok, so this one isn't something you can participate in but rather marvel at from afar. Back in 2008, Reuters reported that 27% of teenagers surveyed by Bangkok’s Assumption University said they might sneak off to do the wild thing on Valentine’s Day. How do their parents respond to this brazen admission of teen hanky-panky? Like this: They urge their kids to come home early, while city officials turn on all the lights in public parks. The police have been known to tip-toe around 'maan ruut' (curtain motels) interrupting amorous couples with pesky flashlights.

Parks/public toilets/dodgy hotels/etc nationwide 

6. Say “I do”… in the big blue

For the past 13 years, scores of PADI qualified couples have been descending deep into Thailand’s big blue every Valentine’s Day. Their mission? To say “I do” using divers’ sign language. Underwater wedding packages, held at Pak Meng Beach in Trang province, start at 20,000 baht per couple and include meals, costumes, air tanks and a souvenir video you can impress the grandchildren with. We’re guessing Smoke City’s ‘Underwater Love’ also gets repeat spins at the shindig afterwards.

A similar version of this article appeared in "Bangkok 101" magazine's February issue, available at bookstores around town for 100 baht.