Thailand braces for Valentine's Day with warnings, a new hashtag and calls for morality
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brides and grooms, from left to right, Prontathorn Pronnapatthun, Chaiyut Phuamgphoeksuk, ?Daradai Wachirapootthacoon, ?Artit Thanajindawong, Nichapatr Koomsombut? and Pirat Rungthongoran run away from a giant flower ball as a part of an adventure-themed wedding ceremony in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand, Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, on the eve of Valentine's Day. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn) (The Associated Press)
Ah, Valentine's Day. Call the police, or better yet the Moral Promotion Center.
In most countries, Feb. 14 is a highly commercialized day of romance. In socially conservative Thailand, it's also a time for warnings — and this year a new Twitter hashtag aimed at preventing premarital sex.
The Culture Ministry's Moral Promotion Center launched a campaign earlier this week called "Just a Meal for Valentine's Day" that urges teens to go home after their dinner dates. It's also asking youths to show support for the campaign by tweeting (hashtag)DinnerOnly in Thai.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Thai media reported that police have warned nightclubs nationwide not to admit underage customers and to call police hotlines to report cases of youths trying to enter their venues.