Jayant Soni from Mhow in Indore district and Naruepak ‘Nan’ from Thailand tied the knot according to Hindu rituals on December 5 in Mhow. Nan travelled thousands of kilometers from Thailand to India to be part of the wedding, and a week after the ceremony, she returned to her maternal home in Thailand, planning to come back to India in the coming days. During her short stay, she immersed herself in Indian culture, experiencing its traditions, food, and family life. Language barriers posed a challenge, as Nan does not know Hindi and Jayant’s family does not know English. Most conversations took place through gestures, with her broken Hindi adding a charming touch to interactions. Indore’s daughter-in-law Naruepak (Nain) and Jayant Soni spoke with Dainik Bhaskar. Read the full report.. How it all began? Jayant and Nan first met in 2015 while working together at a private company in Thailand. Initially colleagues, their professional interactions gradually developed into friendship, and over time, this friendship evolved into love. In 2016, their relationship started taking a romantic turn, and in 2017, Nan visited India for the first time to attend Jayant’s sister’s wedding, where she met his family. Despite living in different countries and facing distance, language, and cultural differences, their bond grew stronger. In 2019, Jayant moved to Bangkok for work, but the couple maintained their closeness. After years of understanding, patience, and mutual respect, they decided to formalize their 10-year-long relationship with marriage at the end of 2024, with the wedding ceremony taking place in early December 2025. See visuals of the wedding ceremony.. Embracing each other’s culture Nan shared that she noticed many differences between Thai and Indian traditions, especially in food and festivals. Indian cuisine, including vegetables, lentils, and rotis, appealed to her, with dal curry and rice becoming her favorite comfort meal. Festivals like Diwali and Navratri were new experiences for her, and she participated actively to understand Indian culture better. Jayant said that Nan also made an effort to learn the language and basic customs before the wedding, which helped her adjust smoothly to her new environment. Nan admitted that communication at her in-laws’ home is often challenging. Since she does not speak Hindi fluently and her family does not speak English, most conversations rely on gestures. She expressed herself in broken Hindi, which she plans to improve gradually over time. Despite these hurdles, she enjoys living with her in-laws and learning about their lifestyle. Shared values and mutual respect When asked about what she admires most about Jayant, Nan stressed his kindness and respect. She appreciated how he values her culture and treats her as an equal partner, fostering an environment of understanding despite their cultural differences. She also noted that Jayant tends to keep his emotions private and does not openly express his feelings, which she hopes he will gradually learn to share more openly. Jayant, in turn, praised Nan for her positive and supportive nature. He highlighted her encouragement throughout their long-distance relationship and her motivation for him to excel in his business pursuits. Jayant described Nan as good-hearted and said that he has no desire to change any aspect of her personality. Before the wedding, Nan made deliberate efforts to learn about Indian traditions, festivals, and food habits. She participated in Diwali celebrations and tried various Indian dishes, gradually becoming comfortable with local cuisine. Jayant mentioned that Nan’s willingness to understand and adapt to Indian culture impressed him and strengthened their relationship. Nan shared that her favorite aspect of Indian families is their warmth, unity, and hospitality, which she found very different from her own experiences growing up in Thailand. The couple agreed that understanding each other’s cultural background, accepting differences, and maintaining clear communication are the pillars of their relationship. Wedding celebrations and family bonding The wedding ceremony on December 5 was held in Mhow, with Naruepak’s family travelling from Thailand to participate. The celebrations included traditional rituals and dancing, reflecting a blend of Indian and Thai cultural elements. The couple enjoyed every moment, sharing their happiness with family and friends from both countries. Pre-wedding events allowed the families to bond and understand each other’s traditions. Communication became the key to strong relationship Despite occasional misunderstandings due to language barriers, Jayant and Nan rely on gestures, patience, and empathy to communicate. Nan admitted that learning Hindi is a priority, while Jayant emphasized the importance of understanding each other’s emotions. Both consider open communication as the most strength of their relationship, allowing them to overcome distance, cultural differences, and other challenges. From colleagues in Thailand to life partners in India, Jayant and Nan’s relationship exemplifies how love can transcend borders, languages, and cultures. Their 10-year journey highlights patience, understanding, and respect for each other’s differences. Post navigation 1,200 suspicious ‘Banjara Muslims’ identified in Jabalpur district:No permanent residence, yet have PAN, Aadhaar voter ID; alleged Rohingya from Bangladesh Bhind farmer dies after being administered injection in private clinic:Family alleges negligence; claims quack doctor gave wrong treatment for simple cold