150 couples take the plunge on Valentine’s Day

PHUKET: Many couples registered their marriages yesterday, Valentine’s Day, with added incentive of the island’s three District Offices offering gifts to newlyweds, including passes to Phuket FantaSea, stays at hotels and resorts and dinners at restaurants on the island.

However, the figure was down compared with last year, when 202 couples wed on the international day of love.

As expected, florists have had a field day selling roses, which fetched 100 baht each in Phuket City.

Primprao Jitpenthom, owner of Prim Flower on Yaowarat Rd, said students were paying top whack for the perfect bouquet.

“Our customers are mostly students and working-age people. In addition to flowers, we have other Valentine’s Day gifts, including chocolates and dolls. We have been really busy since last night and have had many orders,” she said.

Eighty-one couples registered their marriages at Muang District Office, compared with more than 100 couples last year. Among the newlyweds were several foreign couples, as well as Thais with foreign spouses. The youngest couple were a pair of love-struck 17-year-olds.

At Thalang District Office, 35 Thai couples took the plunge. The newlyweds ranged in age from 18 to 53 years old. The office refused to accept applications for divorce this year.

Thirty-four couples registered their marriages at Kathu District Office, including one pair of foreign lovers. The youngest lovebirds were a 17-year-old bride and her 19-year-old groom.