Dear All

Let me start my report by saying that this ceremony took place in Laos and I am now posting in the Thailand forum. I will leave it to moderation to transfer this into another forum if they feel the need.

Before we traveled back to Thips family home we had been having discussions with his sisters and mother about the details. We were told that the cost for the ceremony shouldn't be above 20,000 baht. This figure seemed good to me and we agreed on the date and left the rest to the family to sort out.

We arrived at the family home on Saturday 14 June and were told that mum had spent some of her money as 20,000 was not enough. I was a little pissed as I was told that 20,000 would be enough. Anyhow, I told Thip that I didn't won't his mum using her money, so he spoke to the family and said we would pay an additional 10,000 baht to pay for the extra cost and for some more beer and whiskey as I didn't think there was enough.

The date of the ceremony was also changed from the Tuesday to the Monday. I was told that Tuesday was a lucky day and thats why it has to be then. OK, who am I to disagree? However, mother was told she could take off Tuesday from work so it had to be Monday. I then mentioned about the Tuesday being lucky so is it good to change to Monday? Monday was lucky too apparently, so it didn't matter!

Anyhow, Monday morning at 0900 we arrived at Thips home to find everything already in full swing. A marquee had been erected in the garden, a music system was in place, the kitchen was full of family and neighbours preparing food, his brothers were placing tables and chairs out and sun umbrellas. The house had been cleared of furniture ready for the monks arrival and blessing/marriage ceremony. His grandmother was sitting on the floor and preparing the vessel (sorry don't know the name) where the white string is kept which would eventually go around our wrists. This vessel had a flower and leaf arrangement and fruit etc. laid around the bottom and a long candle in the middle coming out of the top of the arrangement.

At about 11.00 6 monks arrived and took up their places inside the house. We all followed along with family and close friends. The ceremony began. It consisted of chanting and prayers. Repeating of prayers made by the monks by the audience. This went on for about 30 - 45 mins. During this ceremony mine and Thips names were read out and this was our blessing for good luck.

After the chanting stopped the monks were then feed and we left the room for a break. After eating the monks left and were each given a bowl of gifts consisting of washing soaps for them and their clothes and food items.

Myself and Thip were called back into the room and the family and freinds then took over the ceremony. A lot more people had arrived by this time and were sitting inside the house. A neighbour was master of ceremonies and he began by saying prayers again for us. Then everyone gathered around and the tying of the white string onto our wrists began. Some people also had money tied into the string which was them put onto our wrists. This went on for about 30 mins and as well as us getting the blessings of these strings, also Thips mother, grandparents and siblings also had string attached to their wrists, but far less then we had. When the string is attached they say a prayer for you and wish you luck.

After this finished and we had about 30 pieces of string on each wrist the ceremony finished and the partying and drinking began.

The music started up playing loud Lao music, the food was served and the beerlao was opened. Thip and I joined the "gay table" were his gay friends were sitting and we started eating and drinking too. Most of the food was vegetarian as Thips mother is one. Thip then broke open the Johnny Walker black and proceeded to go to every person and make them drinking a toast. Unfortunately some made him drink before they did. As Thip is a lightweight when it comes to drink he got pissed rather quickly. This resulted in him going to bed and puking up.

I was left then to host the party much to my annoyance, especially as I had warned him that he was drinking to fast and to slow down. Anyhow as the afternoon wore on more and more people joined him in a state of drunkenness. The dancing was getting more uncontrolled, the karaoke singing started and I was requested to both dance and sing. Of course I joined in the dancing, but I wouldn't attempt to sing the Lao songs.

I was offered a lift back to the hotel by Thips brother-in-law at 5pm, which I eagerly accepted. Thip stayed in the house so I went back on my own. Thip turned up 2 hours latter after his sister returned him banging loudly on the hotel room door. I went to open it and he barged in ran straight into the bathroom were he puked up again.  

So, that was the day. About 70 people attended in total, so 30,000 Baht for the food, beer, 3 liters of JW Black, the marquee, table and chairs and music system wasn't a bad deal.

John Botting wrote:

So, that was the day. About 70 people attended in total, so 30,000 Baht for the food, beer, 3 liters of JW Black, the marquee, table and chairs and music system wasn't a bad deal.

And you got married too. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and long life together. Are you going on a honeymoon?

John Botting wrote:

So, that was the day. About 70 people attended in total, so 30,000 Baht for the food, beer, 3 liters of JW Black, the marquee, table and chairs and music system wasn't a bad deal.

And you got married too. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and long life together. Are you going on a honeymoon?

John, a great story (except the throwing up).  It is nice to see you met someone that cares about you so much and vice versa.  I am sure it was an amazing day and a wonderful feeling.  Best wishes to you for a happy future together.

All the very best to you and Thip, and I hope the move to the UK goes more smoothly (less throwing up!).

Cheers!

only joking !!!

well that is a nice tale..and you kept it a secret !..isn't it marvelous..imagine this happening even 20 years ago--we would have been tarred and feathered and run out of town !!

I hope you are very happy and find a nice little sea-side cottage in the UK to settle in !!

good luck..
 

Best wishes to you both for the future.

Hi John
Congrats to yourself and Thip on the wedding!
Hope you realise now that you are married you will have to keep those 3- pieces of string on your hand until they rot off!

Of course Thip can cut of his whenever he wants!

Gone Fishing: you are in danger of replacing a certain fat ozzie as the official board troll and nincompoop, give it a rest

John, your wedding sounds absolutely delicious!!  I cannot wait until I marry my 19 year old future husband.  This will be happening in the next few months and I shall post all the lovely details for all to enjoy with me.

Cheers to you John Botting and to Thip also. I do love a wedding.

I hope now the visa for Thip will be coming post-haste and you can get on with the rest of your lives.

Just as well you got married Laos rather than UK/Europe - I guess you won't have half a dozen toasters and 5 steam and dry irons to return to the store.

Good luck with your next venture JB.
Congratulations,
krobbie

Good luck, John and Thip.  John, enjoyed your story but, for whatever reason, I didn't really get the feeling you were
all that happy about the events.  Hope the future goes well for you.


[Cat, your post was ignorant, childish, and inappropriate.  But, on the other hand, you sure are consistent]

John,

Congrats to you and Thip.

I went through a similar bonding ceremony on the Thai side of the border about 6 months ago.  Our relationship is now totally fucked up, but the ceremony was fun.

My BF and I actually followed the monks instructions regarding the lucky date for the ceremony, and gee, our relationship lasted a whole 5 months.   Maybe we should have asked his mother instead...555

During your honeymoon you may want to serve him Fruit Punch.

Good luck to the both of you in all seriousness.

Bob wrote:

I didn't really get the feeling you were
all that happy about the events.  Hope the future goes well for you.

what are you a Witch??    

Bob, I was happy with the day, just angry that Thip got pissed and went to bed with-in one hour of the party starting!!! It left me in limbo. However he was full of apologies the next day, and of course couldn't remember what he got up to. He also promised me never to do it again   Lets wait and see.

The problem is he doesn't drink that often so when he does it affects him quicker.

Thanks to all for your best wishes.

Krobbie, Thip already has the visa for the UK. We are off on 8/7 and will be having the official marriage/CP ceremony some time in the next 6 months once we get a date from the registry office.

Aunty, no honeymoon for us. I have to work up to a few days before we leave as per my contract with the new owner of the magazine. I'm sure we'll grab a couple of days at the beach in Jomtien prior to leaving Pattaya.



Last edited by John Botting on Mon 23 Jun, 2008 10:03 pm; edited 1 time in total

John, maybe what I sensed was more the weariness versus unhappiness.  But can understand getting occasionally pissed with your Thai (or Lao) boy (it only happens to me a few times every day I'm in LOS.....).