Thirawats' wedding.

[emu]

The party rages. I gave up taking photos as it got late. Truth be told, my wife was taking photos of me dancing and carrying on. Luckily I had enough sense not to get involved in the Karaoke. One woman was so shocking, that everyone kept clapping and laughing because it was so bad. She got at least six songs in before the mike was taken off her. But some of the younger women, especially two, sang some beautiful contemporary songs, and others, very nice mor lam. I love the mor lam. I think that I can feel the soul of this place sometimes.

Today, I find out that the bride to be is not pregnant. I asked Khoon what has happened, and she shrugs her shoulders. What the hell sort of an answer is that?
There is no malice in these people. This is their life, and this is the progression of things. All the advice of the Thailandqa members has gone up in smoke. and everyone is happy. Including me.

Music, food and drink, non stop. I finally fall asleep at 3 am. I'm used to sleeping on the floor now after three days. And I like the squat toilet. 5 am, spring up to start the new day. The wedding day.

[emu]

I'm sitting here reading and smiling to myself because, well, you really know how to string us along with just a teeny tiny bit of the juicy part !!!

I'll be back . . .

I'm not trying to string. I'm trying to get it all out. But there is so much to tell I don't want to miss anything, and I'm a slow typist. A couple of videos soon.

[Susana]

You are an excellent storyteller, nevertheless!

[emu]

The wedding proper. At 7:30 am, our music stopped. It was spooky, because when 140 decibels is gone, you sort of miss it. But the music from the new brides house over rode the silence. Wow, we weren't the only ones missing out on sleep. Two huge parties, 400 metres from each other. Ours was much bigger, but their reception was wicked. So, 9 am is the time for the procession. All family, friends who are still conscious, and hangers on, make our way to the brides house.

We have prepared 20 baht notes in envelopes to present to the "gatekeepers" The women carry more gifts ant platters of stuff, and the young girls bring small platter type things. Khoons daughter is in the black and white stripped pants suit, holding one of these. She was nasty to me for a couple of days, and I don't understand why. Rebelling a bit, back in Thailand with friends I suspect.

As we approach theeir house, we stop accross the road and wait to be accepted. The music is blasting, everyone is sweating, and the taunting goes on and on. This video doesn't do it justice. Finally, they are content with the envelopes, and invite us in. A lot of these traditions are a fun type of resistance. We don't see this so much in the west, and I'm so rapt to be a part of this. I hope you enjoy the video. Mrs Emu is in the Thai style dress wit5h the silver shoulder bag. Lethargy is because of the heat.

Please, turn up the volume to get the feeling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOEbr71AzH0&feature=plcp

[Mahindrasarath]

Nice for sharing a bout your advanture story!

[emu]

This is a video of the wedding ceremony. Mr and Mrs Emu make a guest appearance in this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4GJZauPes&feature=plcp

And some more photos.


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In these photos, the bride wais the women and gives them a token gift of betel nut and leaves and rolled cigarettes and lao kao.

The groom eats two eggs and other thinks and drinks lao kao. (fertility)

The ensueing string ceremony where the bride and groom have money tied to their wrists -total 7000 bt.

and the dowry on a platter.

[emu]

Bugger. I just did a whole post, and closed it before I submitted it. Oh well.

I'll be finished the story soon. After the reception.

A couple of hours later, Bea, her mother and entourage have come to our house, and we have a similar, but more basic ceremony. They have brought presents for our family and friends. They consist of a fold out matress, a thai pillow, and a sarong. I don't understand why, but they have to pay for them. 3000 baht. The sarongs are quality at 1000 baht.

Some photos now.
There is a lot more partying going on, and we have doubled the refreshment stock. You will notice that I have jammed a coconut on the roof corner. They are all short, so no problem. Every time I walk past, I give it a pat, knowing I have avoided a scalping.

In one pic, you will see the scribe in the orange and black shirt. He has been sitting at that table the whole two days, recording contributions. They only totalled 9000 baht, but we have a record. When others marry, we are obliged to reciprocate the same. All of these plates and glasses are also the community property. There is no charge for use, but replace broken or missing.

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[Tod-Daniels]

Well, I will say it's my experience that Thais sure know how to put on a party! Funerals weddings, sometimes for no reason at all, they can do 'em up fun, that's for sure.

Certainly you know that to actually get "married" in Thailand all it takes is about 20 baht, two witnesses and a trip to the local Amphur to sign the papers (once the people are of legal age to marry). That "dog and pony show" which even though it's called a "wedding ceremony" is nothing more than a party for show, for face gaining, for fun or for what ever.

Unfortunate that this all started because of a "rumor" that the girl was pregnant, and then came the demands for exorbitant amounts of money, as in money no Thai in Nakhon Nowhere would ever have access too. I believe this was ONLY because a foreigner was "in the mix". This backed the kid into a corner. Thankfully now that rumor seems to have been unfounded. I sincerely hope that isn't the "glue" which brought this couple together; as it is unlikely that type of "adhesive" will be enough to provide something long lasting in the way of a relationship. I have rarely seen shot-gun weddings survive the "test of time".

Watchin' the videos it looks like most up-country weddings in Nakhon Nowhere I've attended in the past. I rarely go anymore because they're near carbon copies aside from small regional differences. Once you've been to one you don't ever need to go to another one. Sorta like seein' a buffalo standing in a rice paddy for the first time.

I do hope the couple will be happy, they're awfully young kids to be jumpin' into something like this, but stranger things have happened here in Thailand. I also hope they do go register the marriage too. The O/P has dome far more than I would have in that situation where my Thai wife had previous children. That'd be on her and the kids father, I wouldn't have shouldered ANY of those burdens.

Hope you're havin' fun, Good Luck to the couple. . .

[emu]

Tod, this is my third Thai wedding, and the best. The story is not over yet. The more I understand, the more I enjoy. Things take a turn at the end, and I'm not finished yet. As you say, you can have an amphur wedding cheap, but that is not a marriage. A marriage is a declaration of love, and a bonding in the presence of two families. Having seen so many, you understand the importance of tradition?

But one thing I will give you. I don't want them to have a "legal" marriage. They are very young. and as such, they wont be hindered with legal divorce and all other such business. This whole business has cost us the equivalent of three months wages for my wife, or two weeks wages for me. Nit noy for the happiness of the family. I appreciate your concern mate, but we've got it covered. Thanks.

[Khun Don]

Thanks for the videos-really good quality.