Thus goes an Indian saying, “Pairs are made in heaven” meaning a marital pairing is decided in heaven before birth. The Calcuttans in numbers, particularly the Marwari community, are now heading for Bangkok for wedding ceremony. Previously it was a pure honeymoon destination. As per one event manager as much as nine marriages were organized in Bangkok in the past one-year and the number is increasing.
This month a city based top ranking Industrialist is arranging his son’s marriage in Bangkok. He would take some 500 guests there for a marriage that will span five days. They would be housed in one of the best hotels of Bangkok. The Chiefs and caterer would be flown from Calcutta to suit the Indian taste. A grand reception would be held in Calcutta after the marriage party returns as per one big shot, who would attend reception in Calcutta for time crunch.
But this does not mean that one has to spend astronomical amounts for such marriages. Contrarily, it is economical there as the best of the hotels in Bangkok charge far less, even half the charges than in Calcutta that soars to some Rs.20000/- from Rs.6000/- per room during marriage season. Secondly, the marriage party gets handsome block booking discount in airfare for full planeload of passengers.
Even Phuket and Pattaya are catching up with Bangkok. A number of marriages have taken place there as per Vinod Bhandari of Winning edge who says that arranging of marriages in Thailand is not only economical, but also hassle free (than arranging a big wedding in Calcutta) and one has to pay a bit of attention to the logistics and management (done by event managers).