The annual campaign to ensure good behaviour on February 14 saw city officials
turn on all lights at public parks in the capital Bangkok, while parents were
urged to make sure their teenagers come home early.
Police and "student inspectors" from the Education Ministry were checking
discrete "curtain" motels to make sure youths under the legal age of 18 were
not using them for amorous interludes.
"We sent patrols to check out public parks, restaurants and shopping malls,
which are the starting points for potential sexual activities that will be done
at home or motels," Bangkok police spokesman Suporn Pansuea said.
Thailand's moral guardians are taking action after an Assumption University
poll showed 27 percent of 2,400 Bangkok teenagers surveyed said they might have
sex on Thursday.
Despite Bangkok's reputation as one of the world's sex industry centres,
predominately Buddhist Thailand is generally a conservative country.
This year's St Valentine's Day celebrations have been tempered by a sluggish
economy after two years of political strife and a 2006 coup, and nationwide
mourning for King Bhumibol Adulyadej's sister who died in January.
Rose vendors have complained about sagging sales because people have less
disposable income.
"I don't think we'll have robust sales this Valentine's Day," Den Yarum, a
florist at Bangkok's main flower market, told the Thai-language Daily News.
A number of annual high-profile events, such as weddings conducted on mountain
cliffs, underwater or in hot-air balloons, have been cancelled or postponed due
to the 100-day mourning period for Princess Galyani Vadhana.
Bangkok's "District of Love", a city office where superstitious couples flock
to register their marriages on Valentine's Day, were open for business, but the
ceremonies were low key.
"People are still mourning Princess Galyani Vadhana so the activities will be
simple, with an emphasis on her love for the people," district chief Pravit
Panviroj said.
Reuters and staff
