Fridae

Imagine getting wed underwater on a coral reef? For the first time in its 11-year history, "Underwater Wedding" - Thailand's Guinness-record event held every year on Valentines' Day, will be open to LGBT couples around the world to celebrate their love.

"Everyone has the right to join the event because love has no boundaries. We are pleased that LGBT couples can now be part of our traditional diving wedding event in 2008," announced Vichai Rattamanee, president of Tourism Association of Trang.

He told a crowded press conference on Thursday at Shela Pub, one of Bangkok's two most famous venues for lesbians.

Underwater Wedding will mark its twelfth anniversary in 2008 from 13-15 February.

Couples who are licensed to dive and join the diving activity will be given a participatory certificate by the local administration. Those who are not certified to dive have a choice of performing a ceremony on boats. As same-sex marriage is not allowed under Thai law, couples will not receive official marriage certificates.

The Guinness World Records certified the event as "the largest underwater wedding ceremony" in 2000.

The annual event is organised by local administrations of Trang province and Trang Chamber of commerce. Trang is a resort town located some 670 kilometres south of Bangkok. Despite being lesser known than Phuket, the town is one of the most famous destinations for honeymooners for its unspoiled Andaman islands and unmatched local lifestyles of Trang province.

Thailand has yet to allow same-sex marriage. However the recognition of LGBT members in the international event is not only expected to bring more tourists to Thailand, but is also an important step for society to realise the "existence" of us, said Natcha Worathanavanic, founder of HappyPeopleTour.com.

Natcha and her business partner Rarisiwaphorn Pengfoei are the catalysts in negotiations with the local administration and the country's key tourism entities. Natcha herself runs a computer software program company for tourism industry.

She said the administration and the tourism agencies requires only that the LGBT couples to join the event must be in a long-term relationship to maintain the "sacredness" of the traditional ceremony.

"Of course, we (LBGT) people will not get a marriage license but we will have a chance to express ourselves and our love, and will be treated in the same way as the straight couples," Natcha.

The Trang Underwater Wedding ceremony, held every Valentines' Day since 1997, to promote tourism in the Trang province will be held next year from February 13 to 15. More info at www.underwaterwedding.com and .