As in many other places, Valentine’s Day in Thailand turns the country into a sea of pink and red. Heart-shaped decorations fill shopping malls, and school students exchange red heart stickers, embracing the festive spirit.
Yet, behind the joyful atmosphere, concerns persist. Thailand has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Southeast Asia, and surveys indicate that many teenagers see February 14 as the ideal day to lose their virginity. For parents, this Western-imported celebration raises worries about how their children understand and express love.
A Different Perspective in Catholic Schools
For Catholic schools in Thailand, Valentine’s Day is not about fleeting romance but an opportunity for deeper reflection on love as taught by Jesus.
Fr. Paul Ekarat Homprathum, Secretary General of the Catholic Education Council of Thailand, is confident in the formation Catholic schools provide. Speaking to LiCAS News, he explained:
“Catholic schools consistently educate students about love through the teachings of Jesus, guided by Gospel values. The goal is to help students develop a character of love and compassion.”
A group of Catholic students in Thailand gathers for an evening of fellowship, reflection, and music. In a warm and intimate setting, they discuss the true meaning of love, guided by faith and community. Photo credit: Malasawan Pittaya School
His words echo the teachings of Pope Francis, who has emphasized that love is central to the Gospel—rooted in God, expressed through service, and requiring respect and generosity.
At Malasawan Pittaya Catholic School in Nakhon Nayok, about 100 km northeast of Bangkok, a group of Indigenous students from the north, who receive full scholarships from the school, reflected on love as:
“A selfless act of giving, mirroring Jesus’ love, which is the very essence of who God is.”
Meanwhile, at St. John’s School in the rural village of Thabom, in Loei Province near the Laos border, high school students, under the guidance of the Assumption Sisters, engaged in small group discussions exploring the deeper meaning of love. Their reflection led to a profound realization:
“I love myself, but love should be selfless and sacrificial. We should focus more on the well-being of the other person, not personal gain,” said one student.
Another student shared:
“Love is not just a feeling for me but a choice—to act with kindness, patience, and forgiveness.”
Love Beyond the Heart Stickers
This understanding of love resonates with the words of Pagarung Rit, a well-known Catholic writer, who poetically describes love as:
“Love is giving, is passing on…
Not receiving or keeping only ‘you and me’
So we still have sunny days to keep us warm
Even though sometimes it’s cold and gloomy with rain clouds!”
While Thailand’s Valentine’s Day culture may be dominated by commercialism and romantic notions, Catholic schools offer a counterpoint—teaching young people that love is not merely about fleeting emotions but about self-giving, sacrifice, and the desire for the good of others.
