Thaiing the Knots in Trang

Two of the BTNC staff (Gop the bride, and "A" the groom, brother of Rotjana) got married in Trang at Gop's family home. We were lucky enough to be invited.

Trang is  South of Krabi and a 4 - 5 hour drive from Takua Pa. It is a commercial port city and relatively untouristed. What we saw of it looked pleasant. It reportedly has quite good beaches with few people on them.

We arrived the day before the wedding with a contingent of BTNC children (those not away for the school break) and adults.

The wedding house had been freshly painted and various other preparatory works were underway. There was not much for us to do amongst a cast of thousands, but we helped where we could, including a trip to the forest to cut ferns for the flower arrangements.

Prateep (Unsongtham Hata) the founder of Duang Prateep Foundation was there overseeing the marriage of two of her employees. She was very kind to us, taking us under her wing. This included a quick shopping trip to town, to buy Sue a traditional outfit to wear to the wedding the next day. We also tagged along later that night on a trip to a festival/special occasions shop to buy various items and gifts necessary for the wedding ceremony.

Wedding day itself began with a 6:30am start. We have found that where Buddhist monks are to say prayers or give a blessing, ceremonies are often in the morning so that food can be provided to them to eat before 12 noon. The monks fast after that time.

After a light breakfast  careful preparations proceeded until it was time for the procession of the groom and best man  and family and friends to the bride's family house. This began a few doors down the road and took a circular route, aided by a policeman directing traffic.  We were invited to join. Everyone including us carried a gift or offering for the bride's family. Drums were beaten, cymbals clanged and firecrackers exploded. The procession halted whilst the bride's family briefly protested at the loss of their daughter and sister. After an explanation of the gifts and money to be presented the groom and best man were allowed to enter  followed by the gift bearers.

The wedding itself was in three  main parts; the first which appeared civil/traditional and  included the presentation of the dowry and the tying of strings,  the second Buddhist part which took place in another room and included blessings and the saying/chanting of prayers, followed by more civil ceremony, including guests pouring water onto the bride's and groom's hands. Then photos and then a nosh up. Good kai.

With the monks duly fed it was all over by 11:30 am and the afternoon was free until the evening meal and dance at a nearby school hall - a bit like the old style format for NZ weddings in days gone by. By the evening the bride and bridesmaid  had their hair  redone, and the bride and groom were in completely new outfits, this time more western, including the full white bridal gown. It was not a late night but there were mountains of food, cultural items from the children,  speeches from Prateep and the local mayor,  karaoke and dancing.

Later we adjourned back to the bride's family home where to much laughter Sue and I were given the honour ("for luck") of lying on the wedding bed decorated with flower petals and then leading the bride and groom onto the bed. Hope it worked/works!