An old Phuket style groom’s procession using rickshaws started from the Phuket City office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT which represented the groom’s residence. The procession went along roads in old Phuket town heading for the Hongsyok family’s old colonial mansion, which represented the brides’ residence. This procession took place after the grooms and families performed a ceremony to pay respect to god, seeking their auspicious day for the wedding and hope for a blessing that day and in the future, with Phuket Governor Preecha Ruangjan and his spouse Piyatida, leading the ceremony. The governor hoped that the event would promote a cultural value among the younger generation. This was no ordinary wedding. It was the ‘Two island’s One culture’ wedding in which 8 couples from the island of Taiwan joined in the TAT’s invitation to get married in the traditional Thai Baba or Peranakan style in Phuket. They were joined by one local Thai couple, among many who are still fond of the traditional style of Baba wedding ceremonies, plus some 20 honeymooners as witnesses, and several young bridesmaids, girls and boys. The Director of the TAT’s local office in Phuket, Settaphan Buddhani, earlier explained more to us about the background of the special event:

Arriving at the bride’s residence, the grooms were greeted and welcomed in before a tea ceremony took place. During this ceremony red envelopes were presented to the couples. Settaphan explained that traditionally the envelop would have money in, but for this special occasion in an resort island of Phuket, the newly wed couples received many gifts for them to enjoy while staying in Phuket. Also performing in the ceremony were Taiwanese stars, Ms. Queenie Tai and Mr. Alan Huang, who were also impressed with the ceremony. Accompanying the group was a writer from the China Times Weekly in Taiwan, Danny Wen, who expressed his impressions about the wedding in Phuket: In the evening a celebration party was arranged at the old Thai Hua Museum in a nice and relaxed atmosphere where the newly weds were blessed and wished a prosperous future by the Phuket Governor. While the organizer was pleased with the turn out and enthusiasm about the wedding of participants and international press, local people were also happy to see the traditional ceremony. Traditional dance displays by Taiwanese and Thai artists, including a young group from British International School Phuket, was also put on stage to end the nice happy Valentines weddings.

Special Report for Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 7pm & 1am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Monday 16 February 2009 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews Send comments to AndamanNews@yahoo.com