Feature: Valentine of Thailand style wonderful, but worrisome as well

- Valentine's Day is not native to Thailand but the Thai people, especially adolescents, have taken to it in a big way. Here one will find all the traditional lover's dinners, fancy gifts and festive parties, but they also find activities of unique Thai style.

From Ching Mai to Phuket, many promotion packages are available for couples and lovers, such as luxury journey supplied by airline companies, romantic retreat offered by five-star hotels, certain appetizing five-course romantic dinner, 50-percent discount on spa treatments, and so on.

Some lovers will go to temples to free caged birds and fish, which was regarded by believers as an auspicious Buddhist ritual to enhance their merit.

It is expected that Bangkok residents, especially teenagers and young professionals (15-35 years old) will enjoy Valentine's Day the most, thus spending more on gifts and related activities.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand wishes those visiting foreigners would enjoy the special sweet day. Honeymooning couples arriving at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport or the international airport on the resort island of Phuket will be able to get a commemorative ticket, cut the immigration queue, and then celebrate the spirit of Valentine.

Kasikorn Research Center forecast that an average Valentine's Day spending this year will reach THB1,280 per person (about 35 U. S. dollars Over 88 percent of those responding to Kasikorn survey said that they would use smartphones or send amorous salutations to loved ones through the internet.

Though the youngster enjoy the marvelous and wonderful holiday, the elderly and parents are concerned. Even some teenagers complained that, when they are looking for date in the APP or via social media, they always get responses from strangers asking for sex.

Thailand media's poll on 1,250 of young boys and girls under 25 years old shows that, when asked by lovers for sex on the Valentine's Day, 40.88 percent of them would say no, 35.68 percent not sure, and 18.88 percent yes.

The government has launched a campaign asking teenagers to restrict their activities on Valentine's Day, officials said Thursday.

"Have a special meal, but not sex" is the slogan of a campaign by the Moral Promotion Center to raise awareness of the dangers of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Thailand's teenage pregnancy rates are among the world's highest. Endi