Once a year, couples from Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, and China come to Phuket Town to get married. All on the same day. At the same time. It is the annual Baba (Peranakan) Wedding in Old Town Phuket.
“Baba” refers to Chinese immigrants who migrated to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand during the 19th century. Here in Phuket many came to work in the tin mines. A Baba wedding during that time was a way to show the wealth and social standing of ones family. It was regarded as one of the most important ceremonies in a person’s life.
This tradition lives on during the Baba wedding weekend here in Phuket. Brides and Grooms, along with their families and friends, came to Phuket Old Town this past weekend to perform the ceremonies and procession that make up their marital beginnings.
The feeling in the air was excitement and respect as we waited on Thalang road for the wedding procession to begin. I had a difficult time finding any good information about the event (in English at least) but for a little bit of the history of the event, check out Jamie’s Phuket Blog post about it. We waited on the side of the road as the procession began… I wanted to show you what we saw, so I am going to share my pictures of the wedding procession in order.
Now it’s your turn! Would you get married at a mass wedding? If you aren’t married yet, want to come to Phuket next year and get married here with tons of other people? Leave a comment and join in the fun!
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