View Full Version : 'Para' Rubber
http://www.woodenframe.com/b2b/rubber_wood.asp
Some history of 'Para' Rubber bought to you by Laem Chabang Industries; who export rubberwood picture frames.
And this basic history of the industry in Thailand from:-
http://www.pktcoms.com/resources.htm
The rubber tree was introduced to Phuket and South Thailand at the start of the century, coincidentally at the same time as onshore tin supplies started to dwindle and prices dip. Cash from rubber production breathed life into Phuket's small and faltering economy. Rubber plantations expanded to cover some 40% of Phuket's surface. Today it is around 33%.
You can recognize rubber plantations by their regimented rows of trees growing 4 m. apart - the assertion of symmetrical order and monoculture over the riot of native species which preceded it.
The rubber tree is indigenous to South America but was introduced to colonial South East Asia by the British, last century. There was strong competition and intense pressure to increase plantation yields. Europe, in the mid of an industrial revolution, developed an insatiable demand for rubber.
There was a lot of experimenting with hybrid strands to increase yields. Thailand was slow to start. In 1899 Trang governor Phraya Ratsada enviously inspected the new rubber estates of North Malaya.
It wasn't until 1901 that he finally sailed to Dutch Indonesia. While there he wrapped dozens of rubber shoots in wet cotton wool, covered them with newspaper and placed them in four boxes aboard his private steam boat. According to one Thai version, he then "took a very rapid and instantaneous trip back to Thailand."
The governor planted 18 acres near Trang and forced government officials to distribute seeds to farmers. Temporary laws were quickly written in Bangkok to allow rice growers to clear native forest for rubber production.
The agricultural ministry distributed seeds of the Indian rubber tree (ficus elastica) at cost price throughout South Thailand where the climate was suitable. The government brought in a European expert from Java, HWL Couperus, to teach cultivation techniques.
By 1910 rubber was a big player in Phuket's economy. The main market was North Malay, from where sheets were sent to meet industrial demand in Britain. Chinese immigrants who came to work the tin mines in Phuket switched to rubber tapping. Most rubber holdings in Phuket were Chinese owned. The Chinese were the only non-Thais allowed to own plantations in South Thailand. Family-run small holdings abounded on the Thai side of the border, while North Malaya encouraged larger estates with hybrid strains, Indian migrant labor, and foreign ownership.
Nevertheless, Thailand's small holdings supplied 4% of the world rubber market by 1936. With over 2,000 mm. of rain a year, the fertile growing climate of South Thailand propelled the country to the position of world's number one by the mid 1990s. Thailand now produces around 1.8 mil tons a year, 90% of which is exported, earning some 60 billion Baht annually. Indonesia and Malaysia follow closely behind.
Rubber for car and plane tires is by far the biggest end product, followed by industrial casings, shoes, bags, elastic bands and condoms
Not to mention gloves! The Hat-Yai/Sadao area is probably the biggest production area for medical gloves in the world. Safeskin Corporation alone has about 4 plants with over 10,000 employees.
The original first Para Rubber planted in Thailand was still alive a few years back. I'll cast around for a photo.
http://www.versteegde.nl/Bambustic/RubberBands/
This site actually seems to be dedicated to the construction virtues of bamboo; which is probably worthy of its own thread.
Still haven't found that picture of the original (& still current) 'para' rubber tree in Thailand, in Trang Province. Did find out a few other details about how the tree arrived, however!
King Rama V assigned Phraya Ratsadanupradit Maissara Phakdi as the Governor of Trang Province (Formerly AKA Thap Thiang Province) in 1890. Phraya Pakdi brought the first rubber tree seedlings to Trang from 'Malaysia' in 1899.
The only description I have of the tree's location is that it is on the Kantang road out of Amphur Muang Trang.
I seem to remember that Singapore Botanical Gardens claim that they provided the first rubber tree; though there is no doubt that Phraya Pakdi was the person who carried it to Trang. Could it be that there is confusion here between what we now call Malaysia and what was then a collection of 'Malay' entities under British administration (of which Singapore was one)?
This Monument to Phraya Phakdi is located 1 kilometer out of Amphur Muang Trang, on the road to Phattalung:-
http://www.trang-hotel.com/images/view-25.jpg
The Phraya Phakdi Museum is situated at No. 1 Thanon Khai Phithak, about 200 meters from the Kantang Municipality, in Amphur Kantang . The museum is based in an old house that once belonged to Phraya Pakdi AKA Khor Sim Bee Na Ranong. The house is a two-storeyed wooden building. Inside, there is a waxworks figure of the Governor and a complete collection of his daily personal items. Today, the Na Ranong family still looks after this house. It is open to the public every day except Monday. (It is open on public holidays but closed the following day.) Groups requiring a guide must contact in advance Kantang Phitthayakon School, Tel. (075) 251100:-
http://www.lostinthailand.com/images/Trang/trang-att-PhakdiMuseum.jpg
Presumably, this was the Governor's Official Residence, as kantang was the Provincial Capital of Trang Province until 1915. King Rama V decided to move the capital to its present site because Kantang was subject to annual flooding; and was also thought to be overly susceptible to naval attack by other nations.
Trang to develop Thailand's first planted rubber tree as province's attraction
(Mcot,27/10/2002)
TRANG, Oct 27 (TNA) - The southern province of Trang, in an aim to promote the first rubber tree of Thailand as a tourist site, plans to refurbish the nearby area of the epic perennial plant.
The first rubber tree occupies a spot in the Kantang municipality in front of Trang Highway District.
Originally, there were only a small garden and a tree named signboard. The municipality will enlarge the garden and build Thailand's rubber museum as well as lavatories for serving tourists.
The renovation would be designed by architects of Trang Technical College.
Santipab Cheevapreecha, an engineer of Trang Highway district said that the construction required a part of Trang Highway district's land so the permission would be sought from the authority.
However, he personally thought it was a good idea to make improvements around Thailand's first rubber tree as many tourists often visited the site to take a picture with the historic tree.
I seem to remember that Singapore Botanical Gardens also claim that they provided the first rubber tree; though there is no doubt that Phraya Pakdi was the person who carried it to Trang. Could it be that there is confusion here between what we now call Malaysia and what was then a collection of 'Malay' entities under British administration (of which Singapore was one)?
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=5730&postcount=1
The above (previous) post (in this same string) suggests that the seedlings were not brought from Malaysia (or Singapore). And not in 1899, but from Dutch Indonesia (Which part?) in 1901. Phraya Ratsada was AKA Phraya Ratsadanupradit Maissara Phakdi AKA Khor Sim Bee.
In 1899 Trang governor Phraya Ratsada enviously inspected the new rubber estates of North Malaya.
It wasn't until 1901 that he finally sailed to Dutch Indonesia. While there he wrapped dozens of rubber shoots in wet cotton wool, covered them with newspaper and placed them in four boxes aboard his private steam boat. According to one Thai version, he then "took a very rapid and instantaneous trip back to Thailand."
The governor planted 18 acres near Trang and forced government officials to distribute seeds to farmers. Temporary laws were quickly written in Bangkok to allow rice growers to clear native forest for rubber production.
This article also says 1901, but seems to think the seedlings came from Malaysia:-
http://koh-lanta-thailand.com/articles/rubber.htm
Phraya Phakdi AKA Phraya Ratsada AKA Phraya Ratsadanupradit Maissara Phakdi AKA Khor Sim Bee ASA Khaw Sim Bee ASA Kho Sim Bee ASA Ko Sim Bee.
Pictures of Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi Museum :-
http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/South/Trang/data/place/ko_sim_bee-museum.htm
Waxwork Figure at Museum:-
http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/South/Trang/images/phraya-pradit-museum/wax.jpg
It appears that Phraya Phakdi also became Governor of Monthon Phuket after 1901. He was also the son of the famous & well-regarded 'Chinese' Governor of Ranong.
Quote from 'The Penang Story' Website below the link:-
http://www.penangstory.net/chines-content-paperPraneeSakulpipatana.html
Khaw Sim Bee, Governor of Phuket: A Centenary View
Pranee Sakulpipatana
Chinese emigrated to Phuket during 1853 -1932 because of the food shortage and political events in their country. Most of the Chinese emigrants were Fukeinese from Fujian the Southern district of China. Some of them became tin mine owners, merchants and holders of a government monopoly.
Khaw Su Jiang, the founder of Na Ranong clan, was also one of the well-known governor in Ranong the southern border state of Siam. Khaw Sim Bee, his youngest son, was the most outstanding regional governor of the western coast provinces of Thailand during A.D. 1901 - 1913. He had been appointed to be Phraya Rasdanupradit, the Governor of Monton Phuket (The State provinces of Phuket) in 1901.
He was named "The Jewels of The Ralanakosin Reign" from the ministry of the Interior Affairs because of his wisdom in administration.
During his time as the governor of Monton Phuket, he success fully solved many of the problems Monton Phuket had.
Even though Phraya Rasdanupradit had passed away for nearly ninety years, his working techniques in civil works, agriculture and tin mining business is always discussed on how he could manage it due to the lack of money and manpower.
Though, be didn't have an opportunity to study in class. His father Khaw Su Jiang, accompanied him to the nearby provinces and foreign countries especially the Straits Settlement.
He learned the new knowledge, the Westernizing thinking and technology from the State of Malaya. He dreamed of changing Monton Phuket into a modem state.
One of his dreams is the Government's House of Penang that can be seen as the Phuket Government's Hall, the 99 doors European Style architecture mansion which was built in 1907 and finished in 1913.
The wide canal of Bang - Yai in the center of Phuket, which connected with the Phuket Bay is now difficult to trace because of the lack of the vision of the next governor.
We owe a lot to his vision to start the Para Rubber Plantation, the economic plant which dated back 100 years ago and it still plays an important role in an exporting goods for Thailand.
He learned from his experience that most of the Chinese emigrants were the main disease carriers especially "Plague". He ordered to build a big quarantine station at the Bay of Phuket (Na-res Bay). All the emigrants had to be kept there at least three days. 'They should have their hair shaved and burned all their own clothing. Monton Phuket at that time was really in need of tin-mining labors. Therefore, Phraya Rasdanupradit tried his best to draw attention of the Chinese emigrants to work here in Phuket with some special conditions.
Kitjar Na Bangsar's 'Thailand-Malaysia: A shared History'[Scroll!]:-
http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?author=174
The Phuket-Penang connection is among the least-explored themes of Thai-Malaysian history. You would be surprised to note that in the 19th century, King Rama V Chulalongkorn appointed a Penang Chinese, Khaw Sim Bee Na Ranong (Phraya Ratsadanupradit) as the Monton (Governor) of Phuket.
http://www.thai-blogs.com/media/lastscan_01.jpg
It was in Thailand that Sim Bee made history. He was a bureaucratic tycoon and an appointed Thai Governor of Kraburi, Trang and later the Monthon of Phuket. His commercial and business skills in Penang were put to good use in Southern Thailand especially in tin-mining and shipping.
In the 1890s, King Rama V Chulalongkorn of Thailand named Sim Bee as Thailand's most successful provincial governor. Even King Rama VI Vajiravudh counted Sim Bee as a close family friend. Vajiravudh conferred Sim Bee with Thailand's highest honour, the title Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahisornpakdi or The Grand Cross of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
In Penang, Sim Bee founded the Koe Guan Company Ltd, then one of the biggest shipping companies in British Malaya. He also pioneered the insurance business in Malaya with his Khean Guan Insurance Company. Sim Bee also had business interests in Tongkah Harbour Tin Dredging Co Ltd and Eastern Shipping Co Ltd.
However, Sim Bee's illustrious political and business career was cut short when he was assassinated in 1913. Known as the Trang Outrage, the tragedy marked the slow decline of the Khaw business empire. In 1922, the Khaws sold their interests in Eastern Shipping Co to the British.
Today, the vestiges of Sim Bee's legacy remain largely in Penang and Southern Thailand. The busy Jalan (Thanon/Road) Khaw Sim Bee in Penang was named in his honour, while in Trang, there is the Phraya Ratsadanupradit Monument – the only public monument in Thailand to be dedicated to a Chinese businessman.
Ahoerstemeier
26-08-05, 04:51 PM
Wow, you've collected a lot of material on him, I have to work it through so I can enlarge the rather short article on Wikipedia I wrote some time ago WP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratsadanupradit_Mahison_Phakdi)
As I haven't read it all yet - was the original question of then location of the first rubber trees already answered. IIRC when I researched for that article, I came across one text which said that he grew the first trees in the garden of his governour residence in Kantang.
BTW: The website of the Ranong province (http://www.ranong.go.th/english/khaw.html) has a good biography of his father, the founder of the na Ranong family. The brothers of Phraya Pakdi also were governours of provinces and monthon.
It's an honour to meet a Wiki contributor whose article I've read.
Yes, there's some conflicting info on where the seedlings came from and where they are actually planted. I think it's possible he had more than one house anyway. I'll probably visit Trang some time & see if the Museum, the Governor's House and the tree site are all the same place or not.
And I don't claim any great authority on this at all.
A friend used to work with one of the female members of the Na Ranong Clan. This clan member still lives in the Na Ranong Compound in Amphur Muang, Jungwat Ranong. I once went there with my friend around 1996. Unfortunately, I didn't enter the house. I'm now told that the house contained many photos of Khaw Sim Bee, his father & brothers; and later generations.
Older inhabitants of Ranong are often very able English speakers. Many of them did their secondary education in Penang. The weekly tramp steamer to Penang made that city much more accessible than Bangkok for Ranong people.
I would ALSO like to recommend the link below from Ranong's Provincial Government Site. Vital info here on the Na Ranong Clan:-
http://www.ranong.go.th/english/khaw.html
'A Short History of Malaysia: Linking East & West' - Virginia Matheson Hooker (2003, Published by Silkworm Books of Chiang-Mai) credits the various members of the 'Khaw' Clan (AKA 'Na Ranong' in Thailand - See previous posts in this thread) with having made a considerable contribution to the development of present day Malaysia. Hooker is particularly appreciative of the Clan's skills in wooing the support of the then Siamese establishment.
It seems the 'Khaw' Clan are still significant players in Penang, as indeed are the 'Na Ranong' Clan in Thailand. [Although I was told just yesterday that the Thai 'Na Ranongs' are embroiled in a legal battle over land deeds of a will made almost 100 years ago; the land having been 'squatted on' for most of that time. I wonder if this is the will of Khor[Khaw] Sim Bee, who was assassinated in the 1913. I'll try to find out!]
Hooker cites:-
Cushman, Jennifer W. (ed. Craig J. Reynolds) 1991, 'Family & State: The Formation of a Sino-Thai Tin-Mining Dynasty 1797-1932', Oxford University Press, Singapore
Wish I had known more about this family when I was living in Ranong. [I even met one of the family.] I certainly knew that the family had a history, but had no idea it was this interesting. Scroll Down on this link:-
http://www.dusit.com/hotel/prr/attraction/attr00086/
http://www.dusit.com/media/images/attr00086_detail_big_attr_img_name.jpg
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