Brides go gaga for Baba wedding in Phuket [video]

PHUKET: The Thai Peranakan Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket, along with local government officials, are organizing a mass ‘Baba Yaya’ wedding ceremony at Sukko Spa Resort with dinner to follow at 75 VT Nam Neaung Restaurant in Phuket Town on June 21.

The event celebrates more than 200 years of local traditional weddings in the ‘Baba Phuket’ style, and promotes the island as a wedding and honeymoon destination.

The wedding price for one couple is 39,900 baht, which includes food, three nights’ stay at a pre-selected hotel and traditional clothes and make up. Couples will be welcomed to the island on June 20 and will be given tours of Wat Chalong, idyllic beach locations, an optional photo shoot at Phuket’s iconic Promthep Cape, as well as other activities.

“We hold this ceremony to attract couples from around the world to Phuket. It is a unique wedding experience that is framed by the beautiful views of Phuket, making it an ideal wedding and honeymoon destination,” said Kosol Tang-Uthai, president of the Thai Peranakan Association.

Baba and Yaya are terms used for the descendants of late 19th century Chinese immigrants to Phuket. Baba is used for male and Yaya for female.

Baba men and Yaya women have a long tradition of getting married in a unique style, and in recent years having a Phuket Baba Yaya wedding has been an increasingly popular option for visitors to the island.

The Baba wedding has become an annual event in Phuket and upholding the long ancestral tradition is considered the duty of each new generation.

“The ceremony is held to conserve the great tradition of Peranakan, which is inherited from generation to generation,” Dr Kosol said.

“There is traditional clothing, food and music and the tea ceremony takes place in a Hongyok building, a famous ancient building in Phuket, which acts as the bride’s house.”

Those already in the Kingdom, who have registered for the ceremony, can take advantage of Nok Air’s deal that allows the couple to fly into Phuket from anywhere in Thailand for 999 baht.

— Thanaphon Phromthong