Couples invited to diving event

JAKARTA (JP): The Thai beach city of Trang, which is famous for its underwater beauty, will host an underwater wedding ceremony on Feb. 14 to coincide with St. Valentine's Day.

Thirty couples from various countries, including Indonesia, were invited to take part in the ceremony, according to Agkarajit Panomwon na Ayutthaya, General Manager of Thai Airways International of Indonesia, said.

"Accommodations and airfares for participants would be provided and paid for by Thai Airways. Each pair is required only to have an open water diving certificate," he said in a press release which was made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

He said that the ceremony would be registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest underwater marriage ceremony ever held. Similar ceremonies so far have included only one or two couples.

The participants are expected to come largely from Europe -- England, France and Germany -- as well as the Asia Pacific countries like Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Singapore, India, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and the host country, Thailand, he said.

"Married pairs wishing to renew their vows in spectacular and memorable fashion could also take part provided they meet the qualifications," Agkarajit said.

He said that eligible couples would be selected at the leading dive clubs in association with Thai Airways offices in each country. "The selection process starts on January 15," he added.

He said that the underwater wedding concept came forward because the Thai Government wanted to promote Trang for its underwater beauty.

"So far, foreign tourists have been interested only in Phuket or Pattaya. We want them to visit Trang as well when spending their vacations in our country," Agkarajit said, adding that his company has made available travel packages with special prices to those planning to visit Trang to see the underwater ceremony. (ivy)