Pattaya – A City of Love

Every February, across the country, chocolates, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day - and its patron saint - is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men - his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl - who may have been his jailor's daughter - who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Here in Fun City there is also many roses changing hands and lots of romance fills the air –to heighten the romantic theme we have asked a selection of well-known resident married couples how the romance has been in their lives – the best part of this story is that I met some wonderful happy couples.

Lets start with Dr Tongsuk and his lovely wife Khun Tum of Pattaya Royal Beauty Clinic – they have been happily married for twenty-five years and have been friends for 30 years. Dr Tongsuk worked with Khun Tum's father so that made the introduction much easier. They have two sons of whom they are very proud. Khun Tum works at Pattaya Royal Beauty Clinic in the administration side and Dr Tongsuk who has been helping people in Pattaya for over twenty years does the rest.

For Valentines's Day they will be going out for a nice romantic evening, even after all these years the romance is very much alive and well in this relationship.

Ken and Lamai from Pattaya School of Languages and Computers (PLC) are a very happy couple. Ken was introduced to Lamai by a Thai colleague over 15 years ago. Lamai is a teacher and worked for many years at Udon Thani Commerce School and here in Pattaya assisted the Pratamnuk Lions Club set up a school to assist the poor families to be able to send their children to school. During this time Ken worked overseas and was coming back every three to six months – so, as he said "We had many honeymoons". Eventually they Ken stayed in Thailand and went on with Lamai to open the Nakson Nursery School and Kindergarten (now Burapha International School).

Ken says he is retired now and Lamai "shops" but there they both were, at PLC making sure everything was running smoothly. I asked them if they do anything special for Valentines Day and they told me the following story: Ken was working in Chantaburi and Lamai paid him a surprise visit – Ken just followed his usual routine; went to work, arrived home at 7:00p.m. and took Lamai out to dinner – only because, as he says, it was dinner time and he was hungry. After dinner Lamai presented him with a Valentines present – yes guys you know what usually happens then – Ken gasped and said "I forgot and I haven't bought you anything!" Lamai was very forgiving and told him not to worry (OOPS) as she had bought her own present – a beautiful Baht 30,000 ruby ring (what else would you buy in Chantaburi). Ken says he has NEVER forgotten Valentines Day since. Yes, he takes Lamai out to dinner faithfully every year.

I then had the chance to talk to Greg and Song from Greg's Kitchen and discovered lots of information: Greg used to be at The Sportsmen in Soi 6 and was suffering from a bad back – he used to go the Physical Massage and there she was, Song. Greg said he noticed that she was a hard worker as well as being an attractive young lady and decided to ask her out for dinner and as we say the rest is history! They have been together for 12 years, so obviously something works, they have 2 children; a 12 year old girl and an 8 year old boy.

Greg then moved on to open Greg's Kitchen 10 years ago (doesn't time fly?) Guess what, they also work together EVERY DAY, all day – could you? Song really runs Greg's Kitchen while Greg is "mine host". Greg's Kitchen is always improving in all ways and they do have a great base of regular customers as well as new ones that hear about the place and that they will be well taken care of by both Song and Greg as well as the staff.

I asked Greg if he does anything with Song for Valentines Day and he said they try to get out for a romantic dinner, but as the restaurant is open sometimes it is difficult. He says they close at Songkran and have a family holiday which they both enjoy immensely. Song went to the UK last year for Greg's sisters wedding and although she enjoyed it she would not want to live there as no-one smiles. Song said she would be saying Good Morning / Afternoon to all and sundry, just like she does here, but no-one answered her, which for her is definitely sad. They have a house in Udon Thani and eventually they will "retire" there – this I find hard to believe as they are both "workaholics" and as much as they enjoy being together all day every day and are obviously very happy together I really can't see them doing nothing.

Here is another story of a couple that work together, but this one has a twist! Tiziano from Da Tizano Italian Restaurant met his beautiful wife in Italy while she was there on vacation! He saw her in the small village and asked his friend about her. He knew immediately that he was going to be with this woman for the rest of his life – and this from a man who had told his mother he would never ever marry!

Nui moved with Tizano to Turin and six months later they were married. They have been together for 10 years and have been back in Thailand for two years. When I went to see them Nui was talking with her husband in fluent Italian and then told me "You have to talk with my husband as my English is not good".

Nui and Tizano don't celebrate Valentines Day, one because the restaurant is open but as 13 February is Tiziano's birthday they are celebrated out. (I didn't get a chance to ask Nui how she felt about that!!) Nui and Tiziano take Songkran off to get away and relax together but obviously they enjoy their life together as a team.

Mike and Den from Mike's Mexican Restaurant have been friends for four years (as of 06 January) and married for three. She worked as a waitress and caught his eye one night and Mike knew he was doomed. Mike had retired from working life but after a while he could see that Den was feeling bored so decided to open the restaurant.

Den looks after the restaurant, her sister does the cooking and according to Mike they work well together and are a good team. Mike also said that Den is the best thing that ever happened to him and he wouldn't be without her. When I asked him how he celebrates Valentine's Day he said that he likes to buy Den a special gift as a thank you for being her.

I also spoke to a couple of Western ladies who are married to Thai men and they stated that on Valentines Day they get spoilt with flowers and chocolates and usually get taken out for dinner. The only difference between their lifestyle and the stories above is that they don't work with their partners but are also in very happy relationships.

There is a running theme through all these stories and if you have noticed it I suggest you had better go out buy some flowers and chocolates and take your good partner out for a romantic dinner and listen. This could be the start of a good relationship just like those above.

I know there are many more happy couples out there and I am sorry that I didn't get to talk to you all – I have had my heart lifted to know that romance is alive and well, with all ages and with all nationalities. Many of us will be taking our significant others or favorite picks for a lovely dinner in Pattaya. This magazine has a great selection of restaurants from which to choose. From a romantic standpoint I suggest the following:
Manhattans
Mata Hari
Le Saigon
Symphony
Da Tiziano
Captain's Corner
Max Italian
Paradise Restaurant

To everyone I wish you Happy Valentine's Day and hope that you have a romantic time on this special day.