Annual Baba Wedding Festival
The Phuket Baba Wedding represents a spectacular cultural celebration that brings Old Town Phuket’s historic streets alive with vibrant processions, traditional ceremonies, and centuries-old customs. This unique tradition showcases the rich Peranakan heritage through elaborate street parades and authentic rituals held at significant heritage venues throughout the historic district.
Wedding Venues and Historic Locations
The ceremony centres around two key historic buildings that serve specific ceremonial purposes. Hongyok House functions as the traditional “bride’s house” where the formal Pang-Tae (tea ceremony) takes place. This 1930s Sino-Portuguese mansion, built by tin magnate Chin Guan, remains inhabited by his descendants and opens specifically for these wedding celebrations.
The Blue Elephant Restaurant, housed in the former Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion, serves as the “groom’s house” where wedding preparations begin. This 105-year-old landmark represents one of Phuket’s finest examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture and hosts the evening reception dinners.
Street Procession Routes
The wedding procession follows specific routes through Phuket Old Town’s most historic streets. Traditional routes begin at Hongyok House and proceed along Thalang Road, Krabi Road, and past significant landmarks, including the Thai Hua Museum, for formal photography sessions. Recent processions have expanded to include Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket Road to the Clocktower Circle (Surin Circle), Montri Road past the Phuket Pearl Hotel, the Phuket Town Post Office, and conclude at Queen Sirikit Park.
The atmospheric Soi Romanee, once the town’s red light district but now lined with boutique guesthouses and art galleries, forms part of the historic Old Town walking area where wedding-related activities occur. During festival periods, Thalang Road transforms into a pedestrian-only walking street market, enhancing the cultural atmosphere.
Traditional Ceremonies and Processions
The celebrations feature elaborate brass band processions, with musicians playing everything from traditional Chinese music to unexpected selections like the Titanic theme song. Wedding parties travel in decorated luxury vehicles, including extended limousines and traditional songtaews (shared taxis) adorned with ceremonial fabric and used for announcements.
Couples participate in the sacred Cheo Thau (hair combing ceremony) and the central Tuang Teh (tea ceremony), where they serve a mixture of boiled red dates, dried longans, and rock sugar to family elders according to traditional hierarchy. These rituals demonstrate respect for ancestors while formally introducing couples to their extended families.
The annual Baba Wedding Festival, supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, typically occurs in May or June and attracts couples from across Asia seeking this unique cultural experience. The festival transforms Old Town into a living museum where visitors can witness authentic Peranakan traditions practised continuously for over 200 years in the very streets where this community first established their cultural roots.
