Thai Valentine's Day
Posted by Stuart at 10:59 AM on February 14, 2007It's 10:30 AM on Valentines Day in Thailand, and I have received five Valentine SMS so far. It's not that I am well-loved, but they are simply non-personal messages that some friends have sent out to all of their friends, wishing them a happy V-Day.
For example, one of my ex-students sent this to me:
Happy Valentine's Day! Hope u guys happy & gd luck in love. Who dun have a couple, u'll found sumone soon. 4 who already hav, happy happy!
There are a few stories in the press here about how the older generation is worried that all of the young people will fall prey to western influences and lose their virginity today. I wish I was making that up. Thai teens keen for Valentine's Day sex is one example. It says:
Love-struck teenagers would be sent home or taken to a police station to wait for their parents to fetch them on Wednesday night, Bangkok Deputy Police Chief Kamol Kaewsuwan said."Love is nice and beautiful, but it does not necessarily involve sexual engagement. Teenagers would do better focussing on school," Kamol said of the curfew.
Police would also be on the look out for public displays of affection by under-18 youths hanging out in shopping malls, cinemas and other entertainment venues on Valentine's Day.
"Hugging and kissing in public places are indecent," said Police Colonel Chokechai Deeprasertvith, who heads a special unit to fight crimes against children, youths and women.
Actually, that last part is a totally true statement. When I first moved to Thailand, I was suprised not to see anyone hug or kiss in public. But now I am just as appalled as Thai people when I see some farang tourist swapping spit as they wait for the Skytrain.
Oh well, happy Valentine's day anyway. Hope u guys happy & gd luck in love...
