A Thai Engagement

Before leaving England recently Pensri and I had a very pleasant duty to perform. We knew that Liew, one of our nieces, was coming to visit us for the weekend and her mother had let us know that she wanted us to represent her and her husband because Liew's boyfriend had something to ask. Liew's mother is Pensri's youngest sister. Here is Liew with her mother:

 

Liew came to England four years ago to study for an MSc in Polymer Science at Loughborough University and when she had completed the course she was offered a job in the lab there, working for the company she had been doing some research for as part of her course. She and her boyfriend Ashleigh have been together now for over three years. Here they are:

 

Now, when young Thai people get engaged it is the custom for the man to ask two 'old people' to represent him and sound out the woman's parents as to their willingness to sanction a marriage. The 'old people' are most often  an aunt and uncle. When I went through this procedure in Thailand I asked the oldest couple I knew to perform this role. They protested that they were much too young (they were in their late thirties or early forties) but they eventually agreed to do so.

Ashleigh decided to represent himself although he did ask his older brother and his wife to come along to give him moral support and to act as witnesses. Here they are, and as you an see they really are too young to play the part of 'the old people':

 

 

The few pictures we took were mostly taken by Liew and as you can see, her hands seemed to be shaking a bit. I suppose she didn't know whether or not I approved of Ashleigh. As you can see, she needn't have worried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So it all ended happily and we have a wedding in Thailand to look forward to at some unspecified time in the future and then I am sure Liew and Ashleigh will live happily ever after.

 
 
 
 

 

 

Comments

[Martyn]

Lawrence - Congratulations to Liew and Ashleigh on their engagement and I bet the boy is pleased he passed the family's approval.

When I was younger one of my sayings was "always make passes at women with glasses". Liew's photo proves I was right. I'm a sucker for a beautiful woman with specs.

[Lawrence]

So you don't approve of her wearing contacts in the other pics then?
I'll pass on your congratulations next time I'm talking to them. I'm staying with Liew's mum the first night we are back in Thailand so I'll see how pleased her family is.

[Pink]

Congratulation to P'Liew 's engagement !!! ;)))
I'm really looking forward to see them soon :'). By the way, P'Liew is still pretty wheter she wears glasses or not in my opinion. LOL

[Lawrence]

Thanks for your comment, Pink. I agree with what you say about Liew and you know it applies to you, too (well, WITH your glasses on, I can only imagine you without them.
Enjoy your stay in Japan, and please take a look at my blog again when you have time (not studying!).