The event aims to highlight the shared heritage of Thai, Chinese and Malay cultures, weaving their stories together through fabric, food, architecture and community lifestyles, high-ranking officials announced at a press launch held at the Blue Elephant restaurant in Phuket Town on Thursday (June 12).
At the event, Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam was joined by key officials including Puangphaka Chaowai, Chief of the Phuket Culture Office of Phuket Province; Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourist Association; and Ratchadaporn Oin, Chief of the Phuket Provincial office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Organised by Phuket provincial authorities in collaboration with government agencies and the private sector, the ‘Sai Kabaya Pateh’ event is part of a broader cultural tourism initiative involving the six southern Andaman provinces ‒ Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun.
The project seeks to use cultural soft power to stimulate the local economy and promote tourism by showcasing the region’s unique identity, Vice Governor Suwit explained.
Central to the event is the promotion of the ‘Kebaya’, a traditional garment recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, which reflects the Peranakan influences deeply rooted in Phuket’s history.
The festival’s activities will be split into daytime and nighttime programs. During the day, visitors can explore the ‘Xin Lor Community Open House’ exhibition on Dibuk Rd, attend seminars on topics such as ‘Food, Building, Apparel’, and enjoy cultural exhibitions and performances from various ethnic groups.
In the evening, Dragon Square at Queen Sirikit Park will come alive with cultural performances, local music, a batik and kebaya fashion show, and a provincial costume contest featuring designs made from local materials.
Stalls selling community-made products reflecting Phuket’s cultural identity will also be featured.
The ‘Sai Kabaya Pateh’ festival will not only boost tourism but also foster deeper connections between the diverse communities of the Andaman region, by emphasising the shared cultural roots and Peranakan heritage that unite them, Vice Governor Suwit said.