BANGKOK — The wedding of Thai celebrity couple Nadech Kugimiya and Urassaya Sperbund has attracted widespread international attention, with fans praising the ceremony’s strong cultural identity.
The couple held their wedding in Khon Kaen, Nadech’s hometown in northeastern Thailand, following traditional Isan customs. The ceremony featured authentic local attire and rituals, including blessings performed while the bride and groom sat on the floor and the tying of sacred threads around their wrists — a practice known in Thai culture as bai sri su khwan.
Images and videos from the event circulated widely on social media, with many viewers expressing admiration for the preservation and presentation of regional Thai traditions.
However, the celebrations also triggered backlash from some Cambodian social media users. A number of posts accused Thailand of appropriating Cambodian cultural practices, particularly the floor-seated blessing ceremony and wrist-tying ritual.
Critics, however, pointed out that such claims overlook the diversity of Thai wedding traditions, which vary significantly across regions. Ceremonies in Thailand differ by locality — including those in the North, Northeast (Isan), Central Plains, and South — each with its own distinct cultural elements and historical roots.
Supporters of the couple and cultural commentators noted that the rituals seen in the wedding are long-established practices within Thai society, especially in the northeastern region, and are not exclusive to any single country.
The debate reflects ongoing sensitivities in Southeast Asia over shared cultural heritage, where traditions often overlap across borders due to historical and ethnic connections.
