Editor’s Note
This article describes a Valentine’s Day event in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district, known as the “District of Love,” where hundreds of couples gathered to register their marriages. A highlight of the celebration was the chance for 12 couples to receive special gold marriage certificates.
Hundreds of couples flocked to register their marriages in Bang Rak district of Bangkok on Saturday, hoping to receive one of 12 coveted gold marriage certificates in a Valentine’s Day celebration.
The atmosphere was lively at the Jewellery Trade Center (JTC) on Silom Road, where the Bang Rak district office and various agencies jointly hosted the “Rak Na Bang Rak – Rak (Love) @ Bangrak” event. Among the participating agencies were the Bang Rak Cultural Council, the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, the Federation of Thai Gem and Jewelry and Precious Metal Associations, Central Group and Thai Beverage Plc.
The venue was chosen to provide off-site marriage registration services on Valentine’s Day, offering convenience to couples wishing to register their marriage in the auspiciously named “District of Love”. The initiative also aims to highlight the importance of formal marriage registration in strengthening and stabilising family institutions.
A key highlight this year is the chance for couples to win one of 12 gold marriage certificates, drawn every two hours throughout the day.
The Valentine’s Day atmosphere at the district office was also vibrant from early morning, with large numbers of couples arriving to queue for registration. More than 100 couples who had pre-booked online were already waiting before 8am, when registration services officially began. Some were accompanied by relatives and friends who came to offer congratulations.
Heart-shaped decorations were set up around the venue, allowing newly registered couples to take commemorative photographs.
At 8am, officials invited the first 10 couples to begin the registration process. Both heterosexual and same-sex couples were among those registering their marriages.
The Bang Rak district office opened online reservations for Valentine’s Day marriage registration between Jan 7 and Feb 9, during which 1,259 couples secured appointments. Walk-in registrations were also being accepted, with services available until 4pm on Saturday.
