The ceremony, held on Saturday (Sept 27) at the Thewarat Sapharom Throne Hall in Phaya Thai Palace in Bangkok, was presided over by His Royal Highness Prince Chalermsuk Yugala. The 74-year-old prince, a Thai military general and member of the Chakri Dynasty’s Yugala branch, was granted the rank of Phra Ong Chao (His Highness) by King Vajiralongkorn, making him the first of his house to receive the honour.
Titled ‘Kebaya: The Beauty of UNESCO Heritage’, the event aimed to celebrate the cultural significance of the Peranakan garment while raising funds for a range of charitable causes.
Proceeds will go towards the operations of the Petcharat-Suvadhana Foundation, with some proceeds also going to the construction of a new Radiotherapy Building at Vachira Phuket Hospital, and scholarships for students at the Plook Panya Municipality School, said an official report of the event.
The evening brought together senior cultural officials and prominent guests, including Yuthika Isarangkun Na Ayutthaya, Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion; Kittiporn Jaiboon, a local wisdom expert; and key representatives from the Cultural Heritage Division.
A working group from the Department of Cultural Promotion formally reported the event’s objectives, after which programmes and commemorative souvenirs were presented. Thirty sponsors were also recognised for their support.
Governor Sophon and Ms Busadee represented Phuket throughout the ceremony, underscoring the island’s close ties to Peranakan heritage. Phuket is home to one of Thailand’s most vibrant Peranakan communities, whose distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture and colourful festivals continue to contribute to the island’s identity.
Guests were treated to a performing-arts presentation, ‘The Birth of the Kebaya’, and a fashion show, ‘The Kebaya: The Beauty of UNESCO Heritage’, showcasing intricate designs that have been handed down through generations.
The kebaya ‒ a long-sleeved blouse traditionally worn with a sarong ‒ is an iconic garment of the Peranakan culture that flourished across southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the islands of the Malay Peninsula.
On Dec 4, 2024, during the 19th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción, Paraguay, UNESCO officially listed ‘Kebaya: Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices’ as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
Today, the kebaya remains a symbol of elegance and continuity, worn for weddings, religious rites and cultural festivals. Officials at the Bangkok ceremony highlighted the garment’s enduring role in preserving the shared identity of the region’s Peranakan communities, said an official report of the event.
Governor Sophon said Phuket was proud to contribute to the event, which combined the promotion of cultural heritage with tangible benefits for public health and education. “The kebaya represents not only beauty but also the strength of our cultural connections,” he said.