BANGKOK, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Any couple who file for divorce in the provincial seat of Thailand's northeastern province of Roi Et will be turned down on Thursday, the St. Valentine's day, newspaper The Nation reported Thursday.

    "The district chief has issued a policy not to recognize any divorce paper signing during the festival of love," the newspaper quoted Suthep Pimpirat, assistant chief of the Muang district (provincial seat), Roi Et province as saying.

    Suthep said divorce on the Valentine's Day could hurt a family, a key institution in Thai society.

    "If a married couple shows up for a divorce, we will recommend they go back home and talk to clear up any misunderstanding. That may rekindle their love," Suthep said.

    For a couple who applied for marriage registration on Thursday, Suthep said officials would ensure they enjoyed swift service.

    Originated from the West, the Valentine's Day is widely celebrated in modern Thailand. Businesses and local governments will hold special promotion activities on Feb. 14 every year to cater for young lovers in Thailand and western tourists.

    A recent survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has predicted that despite Thailand's sluggish economy and a higher cost of living, spending by young people for Valentine's Day is expected at 2.16 billion baht (about 65.4 million U.S. dollars), a 15-percent rise from last year.

    In Bangkok, many district offices are set to offer registration services and sweepstakes prizes for newly-wed couples on the day, a practice sponsored by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for years.

    Prizes for lucky couples include travel and life insurance packages.

    Bangkok's Bangrak district has been traditionally the most favored district among couples who apply for marriage registration, as the name "Bangrak" means "village of love" in Thai language.

    This year, a hotel in the district is destined as the registration venue, as the Bangrak district office is too small for an expected large flux of applicants.

    The first couple that show up to register will be given a life insurance package and the first ten couples will receive gold-inscribed wedding registration documents.

    Other district offices will probably see a higher number of couples applying for wedding registration on Valentine's Day, but new couples are expected to shun the district Bangchak, which literally means the "departing village."