ไทย
Phuket – On June 12, 2025, Phuket Province, in collaboration with government and private sectors, held a press conference announcing the upcoming cultural tourism event titled “Sabai, Kebaya, Batik” Andaman Retro 2025, set to take place from July 4–6, 2025, in Phuket Old Town and at the Dragon Square in Mueang District, Phuket. This event is part of a regional initiative involving the provinces of the Andaman Coast in Southern Thailand.
The press conference was held at Blue Elephant Restaurant in Phuket, presided over by Mr. Suwit Phunsingiam, Deputy Governor of Phuket Province. He was joined by Ms. Puangpaka Chaowai, Director of Phuket Provincial Culture Office; Mr. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, President of the Phuket Tourist Business Association; and Mrs. Ratchadaporn O-In, Director of the Phuket Office of Tourism and Sports, who shared details of the event’s objectives and plans.
The event aims to promote cultural tourism and stimulate the local economy through cultural soft power, highlighting the historical and cultural roots of Thai, Chinese, and Malay heritage as reflected in traditional clothing, cuisine, architecture, and community lifestyles. A key focus is on promoting the “Kebaya”, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, which is present in the “Peranakan” culture of Phuket.
The “Sabai, Kebaya, Batik” event will be divided into two-time segments:
- Daytime: “Open House at the Sin Lor Community” on Dibuk Road, featuring a panel discussion on “Food, Architecture, and Attire,” cultural exhibitions, and performances by various ethnic groups.
- Evening: At Dragon Square, visitors will enjoy cultural performances, traditional music, a fashion show featuring batik fabrics and kebaya outfits, a local costume design competition using indigenous materials, and a community market offering unique local products from across Phuket.
“Sabai, Kebaya, Batik” represents a new dimension in Phuket’s tourism landscape and is part of a broader initiative across six Andaman coastal provinces: Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. The event aims to connect tourism with local identity and narrate shared cultural stories through “Peranakan heritage”, which forms a common cultural thread in the region.
News/Photos: Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office – Report & Photos
