Planning a destination wedding is equal parts exhilarating and overwhelming. From budgets to guest lists, from rituals to resorts, couples often find themselves scrolling endlessly, searching for answers. Who better to turn to than the person shaping Thailand’s wedding and honeymoon story for Indian couples?
In this special edition of our Ask Me Anything series, we sit down with Mr. Nattachit Oonsiam, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai Office. With years of experience connecting Indian families to Thailand’s most breathtaking venues and experiences, he answers the real questions couples ask before saying “I do” in Thailand.
Because when love blooms, it deserves the perfect stage — and Thailand is ready to deliver.
Thailand has become one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian weddings. What do you think makes it such a favorite among couples and families?
Because it feels effortless and joyful. Short flights from many Indian cities, simple entry, and teams that truly understand Indian celebrations. Thailand hosts hundreds of Indian weddings every year, so planners, hotels and vendors already know the trends, how to stage a mehendi by the pool, a baraat with a live dhol, pheras at sunset, and a sangeet that goes late yet runs on time. Add warm Thai hospitality, dramatic backdrops, and great value for quality, and families get a wedding that is beautiful, well run, and fun for every generation.
And when families weigh the idea of a big wedding in India versus celebrating in Thailand, how does the value — both emotional and financial — compare?
It is not a helpful comparison. India offers extraordinary choice, just as Thailand does. Couples who want to marry in India will do so. Our role is for families who specifically want an international-destination wedding. In that space, Thailand stands out for cultural comfort, catering expertise with Indian food, experienced vendors for large multi-day functions, and holiday-worthy settings that keep guests smiling. Financial value varies by city, season, venue and guest count, so the best advice is to cost real options. The emotional value is clear. You are not only celebrating a wedding. You are giving the family a shared travel memory.
In addition to all of this, we offer a few incentives to both the planner and the family as a small token of our appreciation.
Venues are often the heart of any destination wedding. Beyond beaches, which Thai settings — from ballrooms and jungles to vineyards and cliff-top resorts — feel most special for Indian celebrations?
There are many!
- Urban riverside: grand ballrooms and lawns along the Chao Phraya in Bangkok, with boat arrivals and firework-ready views.
- Mountains and forests: Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for misty mornings, teak architecture and lantern lit evenings.
- Vineyards and countryside: Khao Yai for pre-functions among vines and European-style estates.
- Clifftop and lagoon resorts: Krabi, Koh Samui and Phuket for dramatic ceremony decks, over-water walks and golden-hour photography.
- Heritage and culture: Ayutthaya and Lanna style spaces in the North for couples who want a touch of history.
Food is such an integral part of our weddings. How well can Thailand support requests like 100% Jain catering, purely vegetarian spreads, or even over-the-top Indian food experiences like midnight mithai and chaat counters?
Food is the heart of any wedding. Grandparents want familiar flavours, children want their favourites, and everyone wants to feel cared for. Thailand respects that. Hotels work with trusted Indian chefs and specialist caterers to deliver 100 percent vegetarian or Jain kitchens where required. Live chaat, mithai or other regional stations and tandoor set-ups are common. The brief can be as detailed as you like, from separate utensils to specific sourcing, and the teams will follow through. The result is a menu that is authentic, abundant and aligned with the family’s traditions.
On the other hand, couples are also experimenting with new flavors. Have you seen exciting Thai–Indian fusion menus that leave guests talking long after the wedding?
Absolutely, and the options are endless. Couples often add a playful course or two to surprise guests without losing comfort. Think green curry samosas, tom yum pani puri, Thai basil paneer tikka, or mango sticky rice with saffron. Mocktails with Thai herbs etc keep the core Indian menu intact, then weave in Thai notes where they shine.
We’re seeing couples extend their celebrations — from proposals to pre-wedding shoots to the wedding itself. How is Thailand positioning itself as a destination for this entire journey of love?
Thailand gives you varied backdrops within one country. Proposals on a quiet beach cove, a private rooftop by the river, or a hot-air balloon morning in Chiang Mai. Pre-wedding shoots in Old Phuket Town’s pastel streets, heritage ruins in Ayutthaya, bamboo forests and mountain viewpoints in the North, or city-chic frames in Bangkok. Then the main events across villas, lawns and ballrooms that can handle serious scale. One creative team can storyboard the entire arc so the visuals, décor and food tell a single story across days.
One of Thailand’s biggest draws is the “wedding + honeymoon” advantage. How do couples design a celebration that flows seamlessly into a romantic escape?
Many couples choose to stay on after the guests fly back. Some keep the same resort and switch to a private villa for two. Others change the setting for a fresh mood, for example Phuket to Koh Yao Noi for quiet island time, Bangkok to Khao Yai for vineyards and cool nights, or Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai for mountain tea trails and boutique lodges.
And for those who want something beyond the beaches, which offbeat Thai destinations are emerging as fresh favorites for honeymoons or even intimate “weddingmoons”?
I would suggest-
- Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for temples, hill cafés, night markets and spa rituals.
- Khao Yai for vineyards, countryside drives and starry skies.
- Koh Kood, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Lanta for privacy, clear waters and owner-run resorts.
These places feel personal, photogenic and unhurried.
As more Indian families look outward for destination weddings, how do you see Thailand deepening its bond with this audience in the years to come?
By listening closely and acting on it. In India we meet the trade, wedding planners and airlines through roadshows, workshops and focused dinners, then build joint programmes that reflect what Indian families value most. Vegetarian and Jain friendly dining, family-first itineraries, spa and wellness, and easy movement between cities are a given. New experiences are arriving too, from curated green routes in smaller cities to festival calendars that make every month a good month to visit. India is already one of Thailand’s top markets, and we will keep shaping our product, service and storytelling around what Indian families tell us matters.
Finally, if you could share one piece of advice with Indian couples dreaming of a Thailand wedding, what would it be?
Thailand has everything you can imagine for your big day. From beaches and ballrooms to private islands, it is all here. The beauty is that every detail can be customised. You just have to wish it, dream it, and ask for it, the teams in Thailand will make it happen.
Start with your non-negotiables and plan early. Dates, venue buyouts, kitchen requirements, baraat routes etc. Lock those first. Keep one host hotel if you can, it keeps energy high and logistics simple. Most importantly, leave room in the schedule to simply be together. The best memories often happen between the big moments.
As Mr. Nattachit Oonsiam reminds us, Thailand isn’t just a destination — it’s a canvas where Indian traditions, tropical landscapes, and world-class hospitality come together in perfect harmony. Whether it’s a grand 1,000-guest celebration or an intimate beachfront vow exchange, couples can find their dream wedding setting here without compromise.
From seamless logistics to personalized cultural touches, Thailand continues to prove why it is the ultimate stage for love stories that deserve to bloom larger than life.
Because in the end, a wedding is not just about where you say “I do” — it’s about how beautifully that moment lives on. And in Thailand, that beauty is simply unforgettable.
