Friday, September 4, 2009

No.98 Krabi Road, Phuket

It had been my lifetime dream to visit the ancestral home where my parents got married in Phuket some 50 years ago. My grandpa who was the CPO in Phuket then, was also the CPO in Krabi prior to that, where both towns come under the county of Nakhon Si Thammarat. 

I have taken the trouble to dig out many wedding albums of my parents but I am too lazy to scan them all. So I am posting just 4 will do lah.



The above photo shows my dashing father and mum being flanked by my Grandpa and Grandma. Do I look like my grandma? LMAO!
My parents wedding was held at No.98 Krabi Road, Phuket where it has become a museum today. It houses the finest antique collections from China and this mansion belongs to my great uncle who was then, the wealthiest tin miner in Phuket. Their family alone has 3 huge mansions where I heard tin ore was later found in the lawn of one of the houses!


My grandpa was taking a puff outside the mansion with my parents and grandma behind.


At the wedding reception, here my parents were photographed chatting with the Governor of Phuket.


I am posting this group photo which seemed hilarious to me. They were all so many men and I guess they were police officers! My grandpa actually forbade my mum to marry my dad as he felt that he would be losing his daughter to some foreigners who could not give her the good lifestyle.

After 11 years of endurance, my grandpa finally gave away his princess to my dad for his patience!

Please view this You Tube to get the earlier complete look of the mansion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DzPYr5-YhLIg



This is the same house TODAY which has been fenced off in front. The 'group photo' posted above was taken at the spot where the fence is today. They are building many new shop lots in front now and they still have several acres behind and beside the bloody big house!


This is the side entrance of the Chinpracha House which is a public museum today. I guess his "Chinpracha" title was given by the King Rama the 5th of Thailand. 

Hollywood's film director Oliver Stone has filmed a movie part in this mansion too.


I was walking curiously everywhere looking at all the familiar photos of some relatives. I think Leumas would have labeled it as another haunted house in his blog.



This is the mother of pearl-laid tea table by the court yard. Come join me to have teh tarek here!


The same furniture used by my parents for the typical Thai wedding ceremony.


This must be the Princess Michi of Phuket! Muahahahaha!



I was looking at the room and poster bed where my dad spent his night.


All the furnitures were imported from France and China which have all survived through the 3 generations. 


This is the indoor court yard which has nice Roman pillars and shallow water features. I have finally closed this chapter of the wedding house and my next trail would be a trip again to Phuket & Krabi to seek a temple's shrine built in the memory of my grandpa's name.


26 comments:

  1. hmmm... interesting adventure to search for memories. Did you ask them to allow you to spend a night in the house?

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  2. i didnt say tat it is haunted... >.<
    give me the address, i wanna go and visit my papa's hometown leh~ :P

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  3. TZ - They don't allow sleep overs and I wouldn't dare for fear of invoking their ancestors!

    Leu - Apa la you, the address was written twice lah include its title No.98 Krabi Road, Phuket. It is very difficult to find and I had to rent a bike to get there.

    The house has some old spirits lingering around coz it is quiet and quaint in old luxury settings. You will love the spooky feel. Ha ha!

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  4. Such a lovely house! Wouldn't mind having one of my own one day.

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  5. What keeps you awake at 4am huh Twinkle...

    Anyway, nice to see the old places still in one piece... My grandma place.. Used to be near a river, now duno build what shopping complex and shop lots de...

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  6. Soooo nice. I love heritage and culture!!

    The photos you posted on your parent's wedding is so nostalgic... very nice you know.

    I am a fan of all things old you see, so this sort of things spark interest in me.

    Great post!!

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  7. the house looks nice, i like the last pics :)

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  8. Ooooo I love this post! Granny's ancestors had sucha glorious life. I particularly liked all the tongkat twilight camwhore pics. I'm sure camwhore KeenYee wld be glad to induct u into the camwhores hall of fame. :)

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  9. i thot that grandma in the photo is YOU.. LMAO~~~ :p

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  10. Savante - what is holding you back doc? I know Malacca has lots of exotic homes for takes.

    Jerry - I was so busy searching the albums and scanning, that speaks for the late hour. It won't happen again as I am not young like you - BURUNG HANTU JERRY!

    A Common S'porean - I love to admire antiques and old stuffs too. You should visit Penang since the NY Times has voted it as 2nd Top Must Visit Destination in the world.

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  11. Medie007 - What royalty? You must have heard Anton calling me Queen Mother izzit...?

    Vincent - The house is big and eerie somewhere. You might see my old uncle walking here and there.

    SK Thamby - Yeah that was me indeed! We have same brown hairs anyway.

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  12. twilight, you didn't share your encounters visiting go go bar? LOL

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  13. wow.. its os interesting to have such great story as part of ur life history...
    n totally love those antique pics.. so dramatic n glam... wish i can have pics like that.. free free can feeling feeling a bit maa...LOL ;p

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  14. Your late grandpa's kinda cute. :P

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  15. Thank you ever so much for sharing with us this post and your past.

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  16. WOW! are u like the son of the prince and princess? lol

    what should I call you now then? Sir? :)

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  17. Willy - Mai tong pai go go bar! But I have many katoey pixs! Will post them soon.

    Danny - I think we share many common interests like antiques! Visit Penang and I can show you the mansions.

    William - I am surprised you also think my grandpa is cute! How did you guess that? He was fierce but kind.

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  18. Bengbeng - Thanks! I wish I can catch up like you in blogging. You guys are fast man!

    Rad Sujanto - What son of a prince? Who? Me? I am just a grandma! LOL

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  19. haha, hey I was giving you a compliment! hehe

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  20. It is wonderful that you can revisit the location of your parent wedding venue.

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  21. nice design...wish i can have a visit as well le...:)

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  22. poster bed ...where you were created :p

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  23. i remember the museum. last year i stayed in Thanon Krabi and i passed by that museum every day but i didn't enter. the entrance fee is 50 baht for thais.

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  24. Your father is such a patient man and must love your mother very much to wait for her for 11 years. Going back there to visit must have brought back many happy memories for you.

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  25. I found the blog post of your parents's wedding!

    Should have read this one earlier so I can go cari the mansion.

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