The festival, this year held under the theme “Under Andaman Sky”, started at the Hongyok Mansion on Thalang Rd in Phuket Town at 3pm, where the six couples – including two from Thailand and three from Taiwan – received blessings from Ms Boonsri, Mr Narong and Ms Yaowaluck of the Hongyok clan.
At the mansion, the couples took part in traditional Baba wedding activities, such as making offerings to Chinese gods, paying respect to their parents and ancestors, and a flower ceremony witnessed by family and friends of the couples as well as media from Taiwan and members of Peranakan associations from Phang Nga and Ranong.
The highlight of the wedding was the street parade down Thalang Rd, which drew large crowds of both Thais and foreigners to Phuket Town.
The parade departed the Hongyok mansion at 4pm, continued along Thalang Rd and arrived at the Phuket Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Rd, where the couples entered the another ceremony – the marriage registration.
Leading the lucky couples along the route were the ceremonial wedding couple of honour, Phuket Vice Governor Khajornkiet and his wife Pitima Rakpanichmanee, already married but undertaking the Baba ceremony for the first time. In tow were the two couples from Thailand and three couples from Taiwan.
Phuket City Deputy Mayor Dr Kosol Tang-utai, who is also President of the Peranakan Association Phuket, said, “The Baba wedding ceremony is considered one of the most valuable and beautiful traditions that reflects the life of the Baba people, how we respect sacred beings and honour our parents and ancestors.”
“Next year, the Baba Wedding Festival will be held in June, but at a time and day we have yet to decide.” he added.
Anoma Vongyai, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office, noted that the TAT fully supported of the festival every year. “Each year we have many couples interested to join the Baba Wedding festival. This time we have three couples from Taiwan to marry at the event.
“The Baba wedding help promote Phuket tourism in general, and also put Phuket on the map as a place for a weddings. Organisers for wedding ceremonies from across Europe and Asia are now considering bringing their clients to Phuket to have their weddings here.”