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Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown.<The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown.<The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown.<The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Limehouse, in Stepney, was London's first Chinatown. The Chinese began settling in Limehouse before 1850, arriving as seamen or ship's launderers. By 1890 sailors from Shanghai were colonizing Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street, while those from Guangzhou (Canton) and southern China chose Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway, slightly further west.<br/><br/> From the 1890s the Chinese community in the East End grew in size and spread eastwards, from the original settlement in Limehouse Causeway, into Pennyfields. The area provided for the Lascar, Chinese and Japanese sailors working the Oriental routes into the Port of London.<br/><br/> The main attractions for these men were the opium dens, hidden behind shops in Limehouse and Poplar, and also the availability of prostitutes, Chinese grocers, restaurants and seamen's lodging-houses. Hostility from British sailors and the inability of many Chinese to speak English fostered a distinct racial segregation and concentrated more and more Chinese into Limehouse.<br/><br/> From the 1970s, London's Chinatown was increasingly established further to the west, in Soho, centred on Gerrard Street.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi, born Khaw Sim Bee, was a Thai provincial administrator. He was the youngest of the six sons of Khaw Soo Cheang, a trader from Zhangzhou in China.<br/><br/> As a member of the na Ranong family which held the governor's post in Ranong for generations, Khaw was assigned to become governour of Trang in 1890.<br/><br/> His most significant contribution was the introduction of the rubber tree to Thailand, which at his time was only grown in Malaysia. It has since become one of the major crops of Thailand. He also initiated the connection of Trang with Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung by road as well as the railroad connection to Nakhon Si Thammarat, one of the first railroads of Thailand.<br/><br/> In 1902 he was assigned to become the commissioner of Monthon Phuket, where he stayed till his death in 1916. A monument commemorating him was erected in the city of Trang.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Khaw Soo Cheang was a Chinese immigrant from Zhangzhou, Fujian Province. He was an officer of the Small Swords Secret Society, which was fighting to restore the Ming Dynasty. In 1810 he arrived in Penang and stayed in Sungai Tiram where he engaged in small-scale vegetable farming. Once a week Khaw Soo Cheang would take his produce down to Jelutong to sell. Khaw Soo Cheang subsequently went into trading and started a small sundries shop business under the name of Koe Guan. Subsequently he started trading up the coast of what is today Southern Thailand.<br/><br/> Khaw Soo Cheang had six sons, of which Khaw Sim Cheng was the eldest, Khaw Sim Kong the second, Khaw Sim Chua the third, Khaw Sim Khim the fourth, Khaw Sim Teik the fifth, and Khaw Sim Bee the sixth. The eldest son Sim Cheng is believed to be the son by his China born wife who remains unknown to the descendants today. Sim Kong, Sim Chua, Sim Khim and Sim teik are the sons of his wife Sit Kim Lean who is venerated by the descendants as the lady ancestor and is buried in Ranong. Sim Bee his youngest son was from one of his Thai Wives.<br/><br/> From trading Khaw Soo Cheang diversified into tin mining, shipping and supplying immigrant labourers. In 1844 he was appointed Royal Collector of tin royalties in the Ranong area, and received the title Luang Ratanasethi. In 1854 King Mongkut made him governor of Ranong and elevated him to the rank of Phra. At the time Ranong was subordinate to Chumphon province, but in 1864 it was elevated to full provincial status, and Khaw Soo Cheang became a Phraya. He successfully defended the new province against being invaded and annexed by the Burmese. The family became close to the Thai royal court, especially Prince Damrong, who stayed at the family home in Penang, which was named Chakrabong in honour of the Thai royal family. in 1872 Khaw Soo Cheang who was then an old man of 81 sailed back to China where he married an 18-year-old girl.
Tin was discovered several centuries ago in the Kathu district of Phuket and was mined until 1992 when the last mine on Phuket closed. The tin business drew migrant workers from South China to Phuket, and many of these Overseas Chinese settled permanently in the area.
Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, formerly known as Talang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang, i.e. 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries.<br/><br/> Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea.<br/><br/> Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Khaw Soo Cheang was a Chinese immigrant from Zhangzhou, Fujian Province. He was an officer of the Small Swords Secret Society, which was fighting to restore the Ming Dynasty. In 1810 he arrived in Penang and stayed in Sungai Tiram where he engaged in small-scale vegetable farming. Once a week Khaw Soo Cheang would take his produce down to Jelutong to sell. Khaw Soo Cheang subsequently went into trading and started a small sundries shop business under the name of Koe Guan. Subsequently he started trading up the coast of what is today Southern Thailand.<br/><br/> Khaw Soo Cheang had six sons, of which Khaw Sim Cheng was the eldest, Khaw Sim Kong the second, Khaw Sim Chua the third, Khaw Sim Khim the fourth, Khaw Sim Teik the fifth, and Khaw Sim Bee the sixth. The eldest son Sim Cheng is believed to be the son by his China born wife who remains unknown to the descendants today. Sim Kong, Sim Chua, Sim Khim and Sim teik are the sons of his wife Sit Kim Lean who is venerated by the descendants as the lady ancestor and is buried in Ranong. Sim Bee his youngest son was from one of his Thai Wives.<br/><br/> From trading Khaw Soo Cheang diversified into tin mining, shipping and supplying immigrant labourers. In 1844 he was appointed Royal Collector of tin royalties in the Ranong area, and received the title Luang Ratanasethi. In 1854 King Mongkut made him governor of Ranong and elevated him to the rank of Phra. At the time Ranong was subordinate to Chumphon province, but in 1864 it was elevated to full provincial status, and Khaw Soo Cheang became a Phraya. He successfully defended the new province against being invaded and annexed by the Burmese. The family became close to the Thai royal court, especially Prince Damrong, who stayed at the family home in Penang, which was named Chakrabong in honour of the Thai royal family. in 1872 Khaw Soo Cheang who was then an old man of 81 sailed back to China where he married an 18-year-old girl.
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)
Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian-Malay Archipelago during the Colonial era.<br/><br/> Members of this community in Melaka identify themselves as 'Nyonya Baba' instead of 'Baba-Nyonya'. Nyonya is the term for the women and Baba for the men. It applied especially to the ethnic Chinese populations of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java and other locations, who had adopted partially or in full Malay customs to become somewhat assimilated into the local communities.<br/><br/> In colonial times they were an elite in Singapore, Melaka and Penang, identifying strongly with the British administration. Most have lived for generations along the Straits of Malacca. They were usually traders, the middleman of the British and the Chinese, or the Chinese and Malays, or vice versa because they were often educated in English. Because of this, they almost always had the ability to speak two or more languages. In later generations, some lost the ability to speak Chinese as they became more fully assimilated into the Malay Peninsula's culture and started to speak Malay fluently as a first or second language.<br/><br/> While the term Peranakan is most commonly used among the ethnic Chinese for those of Chinese descent also known as Straits Chinese (named after the Straits Settlements), there are also other, comparatively small Peranakan communities, such as the Indian Hindu Peranakans (Chitty), Indian Muslim Peranakans (Jawi Pekan) and Eurasian Peranakans (Kristang or Christians)