Prizes for Valentine’s Day newlyweds

PHUKET: Couples who marry in Phuket tomorrow will have the chance to win romantic meals for two at the Thainaan restaurant or even romantic nights at hotels on the island. The prizewinners will be determined by lucky draws at each of Phuket’s three District Offices – at Phuket Town, Kathu and Thalang – where officers are preparing for the annual deluge of couples who want to marry on Valentine’s Day. Karnjana Hongboonyanurak, the Registration Officer at the Phuket Town District Office, told the Gazette, “Couples who register their marriage on February 14 will receive gifts such as free vouchers to dine at the Thainaan restaurant or to stay at a hotel.” Up for grabs will be 25 vouchers for couples to stay at a hotel in Karon or in Phuket Town. K. Karnjana added that all couples marrying in Phuket Town will receive a momento – a pair of chopsticks inscribed “Forever Love” in Thai. The Phuket Town office will open at the normal time of 8 am, but will stay open past the usual closing time of 5 pm if there are couples still waiting to be wed. Couples looking to divorce tomorrow, however, need not apply. “We will not accept applications from couples wanting to divorce because we will be very busy,” K. Karnjana said. “We will ask them to return on Monday.” The same will apply at the Thalang District Office. Sakorn Liponkhate, the Chief Registration Officer, told the Gazette, “It’s a good day. It should be a day of good memories.” K. Sakorn explained that the Thalang office, which will open at 9 am, will stay open after 3:30 pm if there are couples still waiting to wed. Two couples who marry in Thalang will win free meals at the Thainaan restaurant, and officers will present roses to all newlyweds. In one corner a floral display will be set up so that couples can have their pictures taken. In Kathu District Office, however, divorces will still be possible. Chief Administrative Officer Sutha Sukhahotu told the Gazette, “We are available for couples who want to divorce on Valentine’s Day. They have the right to do it. “We will be open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and we have 1,000-baht vouchers to dine at the Thainaan restaurant to give away [to newlyweds]. Besides that, we will conduct normal registration services only,” he said.