For the last couple of years the Thai Peranakan Association have been arranging a 3 day Wedding Package for couples who want a Colonial Style Wedding in Baba tradition. The package includes a first day introduction to the ceremony, a cooking class and reception dinner and hotel stay. The second day beginning with preparations before lunch and various traditional ceremonies held in Hongyok House (a Sino-Portuguese Mansion in Phuket Old Town), a parade through Phuket Old Town with a photo session at the Thai Hua Museum, dinner at the Governor's Mansion (Blue Elephant Restaurant) and a honeymoon night in one of the nearby beach resorts. The last day includes various tours and photo sessions.
I almost missed the parade this year, in fact I caught it about half way through. As I got near to Tanon Krabi I could see and hear the brass band playing the theme tune to the Titanic movie at full blast, not Baba style but...
The bass brand was followed by a big orange truck with a trio playing classical music, the power system came from a generator in a pick-up truck attached by a cable and following very closely behind, I don't know why, but I found it kind of amusing. The truck was followed by a brand new, very long, limousine, and, maybe the only traditional vehicle in the ceremony, a 'songtaew' bus all decorated with fabric and used as a public announcement vehicle keeping everything under control!
I almost missed the parade this year, in fact I caught it about half way through. As I got near to Tanon Krabi I could see and hear the brass band playing the theme tune to the Titanic movie at full blast, not Baba style but...
The bass brand was followed by a big orange truck with a trio playing classical music, the power system came from a generator in a pick-up truck attached by a cable and following very closely behind, I don't know why, but I found it kind of amusing. The truck was followed by a brand new, very long, limousine, and, maybe the only traditional vehicle in the ceremony, a 'songtaew' bus all decorated with fabric and used as a public announcement vehicle keeping everything under control!
Like all parades in Phuket Town, traffic control is a major factor and keeps the local police force busy for a few hours!
The local residents came out to see the show and the quite Sunday afternoon had suddenly changed to a moderately chaotic hustle and bustle of photographers and onlookers.
The parade finally arrived at the Thai Hua Museum which made a nice backdrop for the photographs in the late afternoon sunlight. It was almost impossible to take a shot without someone walking through or rushing in to take a photograph, so many photographers with everything from mobile phones and I-pads to professional photographers with their equipment.
With photos taken I left the happy couples to finish their photo session before they headed off for dinner at the Blue Elephant (Governors House) Restaurant.
