Rayong: An elderly couple, aged 86 and 83, captured the attention of the entire district as they walked hand-in-hand to the Ban Khai District Office in Rayong Province to register their marriage. Officials at the civil registration office facilitated the couple's marriage registration, which was witnessed by a heartwarming atmosphere. Mr. Wichit Phaplongam, the Ban Khai District Chief, personally congratulated them, bringing joy and smiles to their faces.
According to Thai News Agency, reporters visited the couple's home to learn about their love story. Mr. Samnao Srichan, aged 86, and Mrs. Durian Chuenban, aged 83, shared that they have been together for over 60 years. They first met at a village festival in Ban Khai District when Mr. Samnao was 23 and Mrs. Durian was 20. After getting engaged, they married and built a family with three daughters, aged 58, 56, and 53.
Despite their long union, the couple never registered their marriage, believing in the strength of their love without legal formalities. However, they recently decided to divide their inheritance, which led to an unexpected discovery. The land office charged them nearly 100,000 baht in inheritance tax because their marriage wasn't legally registered. They learned that registering their marriage would significantly reduce the tax, prompting their decision to make it official.
Their enduring love, still vibrant in their 80s, is a testament to the saying, "True love never expires." Grandpa Samnao's affectionate gestures, like kissing Grandma Durian on the cheek, illustrate the lasting bond they share. He also offered wisdom on maintaining a long-lasting marriage, emphasizing the importance of love and commitment.