Tourexpi
Thailand’s Iconic Underwater Wedding Celebrates Equality
The
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Trang Province,
successfully hosted the Amazing Thailand Love Wins Festival @ Underwater
Wedding Ceremony on 13-14 February at Hat Chao Mai National Park. The
event welcomed couples of all genders and nationalities to celebrate love in an
unforgettable setting beneath the Andaman Sea.
Ms.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said: “The Amazing Thailand Love Wins
Festival reaffirms Thailand’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and this
year’s ceremony is especially meaningful as the first since the enactment of
marriage equality on 23 January 2025. This milestone reflects our nation’s
progress in recognising love in all its forms, and we are honoured to celebrate
it with couples from around the world. Trang, with its rich culture, natural
beauty, and warm hospitality, is the perfect setting for this extraordinary
celebration. We hope this event inspires more travellers to discover its unique
charm.”
With
romantic beachfront and underwater ceremonies at its heart, the festival
reinforced Trang’s appeal as a premier wedding and honeymoon destination while
promoting sustainable tourism.
The Amazing
Thailand Love Wins Carnival brought together artists, influencers,
LGBTQIAN+ representatives, and government and private sector participants in a
vibrant display of inclusivity. Among the notable figures were celebrity
couples such as Saipan-Khunawut and Porch-Arm, alongside vibrant drag
performers, representatives from government and private sectors, and local
school participants.
The
parade, which travelled from Dugong Circle to Trang Clock Tower, featured six
themed processions. The World-Class Procession of Khan Mak showcased
Thailand’s traditional wedding customs, while The Miracle Love of Under
the Sea celebrated marine beauty. Save the World with Love promoted
sustainability, Treasures of Trang highlighted local heritage, Love
Wins honoured love’s triumph over barriers, and Love is Giving embodied
generosity and kindness.
The
festival’s highlight, Wedding Moment on the Beach: Under the Sea, saw
couples participate in the world-renowned underwater marriage registration and
the Rod Sai Sang sand pouring ceremony on the pristine Underwater
Wedding Beach at Hat Chao Mai National Park. With Ko Kradan and Sunset
Beach as a breathtaking backdrop, the event created unforgettable moments of
love and commitment. The celebration concluded with the Dinner Love Wins
Party, where couples enjoyed a romantic beachfront evening with live music and
cultural performances.
Since
its inception in 1996, Trang’s Underwater Wedding Ceremony has earned
international recognition, holding a Guinness World Record for hosting the
largest underwater wedding. This year’s edition reaffirmed its legacy,
welcoming couples from around the world and celebrating Thailand’s progressive
embrace of marriage equality.
Image Credit: © TAT
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