Bangkok – The 18th Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony, held from 10-12 February, 2014, was again a wonderfully romantic occasion that saw 32 loving couples become man and wife in specially arranged ceremonies both on the beach and below the waves.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said, “This annual event for wedding couples and honeymooners from Thailand and around the world is always followed eagerly by the international press and has helped strengthen Thailand’s reputation as a honeymoon destination. It has also shown what lovely beaches and undersea wonders of the kingdom can boast, especially in places; such as, Phuket, Krabi and Trang, as well as the winding coastline of southern Thailand.”

The Underwater Wedding Ceremony is now a well-established annual event and has led to the province of Trang being synonymous with romance, especially in the month of February when Valentine’s Day comes around. Since 1997, a total of 481 registered couples from 31 countries have made their vows in this most unique of ceremonies.

Trang brings together all the elements that make for a great holiday and honeymoon. It has beautiful white sandy beaches, pristine islands, a rich and vibrant local culture and many historical sites that few people have explored. The province currently offers some 3,300 hotel rooms, most of them on the mainland.

In Trang, there is not only a great deal to see and enjoy, but also places away from the crowds and bustle of the cities, so visitors have great privacy as they enjoy their holiday for the first happy weeks together as a married couple.

The TAT Governor said, “Thailand is already ranked fifth in the world’s top 10 honeymoon destinations according to a recent survey by Google, and we know that this can improve. Events; such as, the Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony are raising the profile of the province and make us stand out when couples are deciding where to wed.”

Preparation for the annual Underwater Wedding Ceremony takes place many months in advance and pre-bookings for couples can be made from November onwards.

But with room only for 30-35 couples each year, it is worth making sure to book as early as possible if any loving couples would like to take part in this unique event. The Trang Chamber of Commerce offers regular updates on availability.

The ceremony has caught the imagination of many organisations in the kingdom who takes the opportunity to devise contests and give away free packages for wedding couples attending.