TAT (Southern) - Tel: 07534 6575-6 - Email: tattrang@tat.or.th

WHEN -

Around and on Valentine's Day - February 14th. The best weather is between November and April.

STAY -

All others on Booking.com and only there if you need to spend a night in one of these places while you are transferring to or from the island - 

Ko Kradan

The Seven Seas Resort Koh Kradan **** - 

Bridal Suite, Beachfront Villas, 3 swimming pools - 1 indoor, 2 outdoor, terrace, gardens, 24 hour desk, tour desk, safety box, Spa and Wellness Centre - open air bath

Bangkok

Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok ***** - 

has everything

Trang

Rua Rasada Hotel ***** - 

is the flashest place in town and a short taxi ride away from the attractions

Airport - Lat Krabang

If you need to spend a night close to the airport for an early flight or it's just easier than going back into Bangkok. This is a great spot with traditional night markets, street food, restaurants and bars and good value hotels. There is even a cutting edge fitness park nearby.

Suvarnabhumi Suite Hotel **** - 

outdoor pool, rooftop garden terrace restaurant and bar with live music, fitness centre with massage and sauna,  free airport shuttle, safety box.

ABOUT -

Fly into Bangkok and spend a couple of nights there to settle in and get orientated before the big day. There are some very nice hotels along the river - have a look under stay.

There is a 3 day wedding package that covers the 13th, 14th and 15th of February  where you will be treated like a VIP as soon as you arrive in Bangkok. It includes flights, Bridal Accommodation, meals, wedding dress, diving equipment etc which you can organise through these contact details.

Click here to go to their web site.

· For more information, contact - Trang Chamber of Commerce on Tel: +66 (0) 75-225 353  or Email: info@underwaterwedding.com - wedding packages

· You can also get information here -   Contact Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Trang for more details:

Organise how long you want to stay where and make your bookings accordingly. It would be nice to stay on the island for a while after the wedding for your honeymoon. Plus you have the option of seeing a few more islands and spending some time in Trang. It will make more sense by the time you've read through this.

There is a special wedding flight down to Trang. If you have to get your own flights back it will be to a different airport than the one you arrived in. So you'll need to transfer on the free shuttle which takes an hour or two depending on the traffic. If you need to stay near the airport on the way out it is covered in the STAY section.

Three airlines fly from Trang to Bangkok and they are -   

ThaiAirAsia

Nok Air 

Thai Lion Air

The good news is they are all cheapie airlines.

If you don't have your PADI diving certificate you may want to spend a few days on popular (and cheaper) Ko Lanta getting it. Or you can get married on the beach but that's sort of defeating the purpose of coming over for an underwater wedding.

A special flight takes the couples down to Trang where they are greeted by Thai dancers and a warm reception at the airport. The program starts off  with a street parade in Trang where you are the procession. All dressed up in traditional Thai wedding costume. Locals line the streets and shower you with blessings and flowers. If you know the Thais you'll be able to imagine the enthusiasm and fun they bring along.

This was started off as a onetime event back in 1997, but was so popular it was kept going. In the year 2000 it made the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest underwater wedding ceremony. Around 40 couples get married each year. It is open to people of all nationalities, beliefs and sexual orientations.

On Valentine's Day (which is a public holiday in Thailand for some odd reason and also regarded as a good day to lose your virginity if you're a teenager) the couples are transferred by sea to the idyllic island of Ko Kradan. In recent years it has been near the Emerald Cave on Ko Muk. The boats form a traditional procession and have dancers and musicians aboard. You will be blessed when you arrive and then married. A big reception is held afterwards on a mainland beach. The next day includes making merit at local temples and bringing good luck to the marriage.

When the package is over you should head back to Ko Kradan and the Bridal Suite for your honeymoon.  It's a beautiful island and the perfect place to begin your life of wedded bliss. You could put your (New) diving certificate to good use by visiting some of the amazing dive sites around here.

Ko Kradan is the star of the islands visually but some of the other islands have fishing villages and small towns where you'll learn a bit about the local culture. You will be glad you made the extra effort.

Trang is an interesting town with a food culture that has been influenced by many cultures. Where else can you eat roast pork, guilt free for breakfast at 5 o'clock in the morning. There is the historical Old Town, hot springs a canopy walk, 3 night markets, old and new cafes and even a wine bar. It's an authentic Thai town untainted by too much tourism.

Fly back to Bangkok and possibly spend the night at Lat Krabang near the main airport. There's plenty here to entertain you and it's a great spot for some last minute shopping. Plus you'll get to see another side of Bangkok

ADD ONS -

There are some beautiful islands in the area if you want to go island hopping.

ROMANCE -

Get married underwater

Romantic beach walks

Stroll out on the amazing sand bars at low tide

SUNRISES & SUNSETS -

Sunrise on your beach and sunsets on Sunset Beach - a half hour walk through the jungle, don't forget your torch and mozzie spray

Sky Bar - Bangkok for sunset

BUDGET -

Compared to what you'd spend getting married at home it's an absolute bargain. Not to mention what staying in a resort on a pristine tropical island paradise would normally cost you. But what is really priceless is how much fun and how memorable the local people will make your big day.

HIGHLIGHTS -  One of the best beaches in the World!

A pristine unspoiled island paradise with powdery white sand beaches,  warm aquamarine water for swimming, coral reefs, colourful tropical fish, untouched lush jungle and spectacular views of the neighbouring islands and karst islets. And you're staying on it.

PAMPER -

Open air bathroom and rain shower

The Sevenseas Spa - open air rooms in the gardens, massage

RELAXING -

Around the pool with a cocktail

On the beach with a cocktail

VIEWS -

Andaman Sea Views and the neighbouring islands and karst islets

FOOD -

Seven Seas Restaurant - Thai, seafood and innovative international - dine by the pool or on the beach

Trang Roast Pork

Trang Cake

Trang Dim Sum

Trang Night Markets

DRINKS -

Barnacles Bar - Open air by the pool, Happy Hour and alcoholic smoothies

Trang cafes

Cinta Gardens

SIGHTS -

The Emerald Cave at ko Muk

ACTIVITIES -

Snorkelling / Diving / Fishing / Canoeing

SOUVENIRS -

Trang Pork / Trang Cake / Trang Coffee - have a look around Cinta Garden and the Suvarnabhumi Flea Market if you stay in Lat Krabang.

TIPS -

• For more information, contact Trang Chamber of Commerce on Tel: +66 (0) 75-225 353 or Email: info@underwaterwedding.com - wedding packages

• You will get a waterproof wedding certificate but if you want to be legally married you'll need to do the paperwork at the local district office

• If you do not have a PADI diving certificate you'll need to get one first - a good excuse to spend some time on nearby Ko Lanta getting one or you could do it on Ko Ngai, Ko Kradan or Ko Muk as well.

• You will need your own wetsuit, mask and fins.

• Get your booking in very early

CHEAPER OPTIONS -

Mali Kradan **** -

it's around the same price depending on what type of room you get, but it's also very nice if you can't get in at the Sevenseas. Beachfront villas with snorkelling out your front door. Quiet and peaceful. Bar, safety box, garden, 24 hour desk.

VISAS -

Many countries get 60 days on entry with an option for another 30.

Click here to check your requirements.

TRANSPORT -

Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) - 

handles the cheap airlines and has direct connections around Asia. It has 73 direct flights to 17 countries. There is a free shuttle between both Bangkok airports which takes an hour or two depending on traffic.

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) - 

has direct flights to 109 cities in 48 countries.

Bangkok - Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)

Trang Airport (TST) -

Flies to the above 2 airports

Ferry - 

Part of your 3 day package will get you to Ko Kradan. If you need to find your own way back it's a half hour trip and the tour desk at your resort will organise it for you. 

EXTRA -

See Thailand in 'Islands' and 'Countries M - Z' and Bangkok in 'Cities'.