Eight couples marked their Valentine's Day by riding off to a secluded island in southern Thailand to get married.

The giddy lovebirds hopped on a boat to the idyllic Koh Phra Thong island in Phang Nga province on February 13 to prepare for the mass wedding ceremony the following day.

After registering, they received flower crowns and other gifts from the islanders.

Khura Buri district chief Chalermdit Nooprom said: 'This event is the first of its kind here in the Khurabari district, and it was formed through a collaboration of the locals.'

The wedding, which also served to promote tourism to the area, included traditional performances and a religious ceremony - all free of charge for the lucky newlyweds.

The annual Christian festival remembering Saint Valentine has proved a commercial success in the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country.