Chronicles of Old Singapore

Loh Kah Seng
  • 5.0 (1)
  • History
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I’m Dr Loh KS, a people’s historian. I’m interested in the history of Singapore and the lives of its people. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city today. We discuss three topics: 1. People and places. 2. Change and continuity. 3. The importance of heritage. Caveat: this is a podcast based on personal memory. As has been well-documented in oral history, memory is not always reliable and what is recalled here should not be taken as fact.

  1. 5d ago

    Jeffrey Eng – Teochew Qiaopi of Singapore & China Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. The qiaopi (remittance letters) came to light in the Teochew hit film Dear You. Local Teochew Jeffrey Eng shows us his large collection, except these were in finger-sized envelopes. Jeff talks about the messages and remittances that linked three generations of the Engs with their home village in Chaozhou. The letters capture major changes in the histories of Singapore and China from the 1930s to the 2000s. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/WdXYrCIj3UI Part 2 | https://youtu.be/H95nfHI9yrM Part 3 | https://youtu.be/89Vj7nBG3s4 00:00 Introduction 02:02 Dear You 06:50 Grandfather was an Immigrant 09:46 My Qiaopi 15:20 Remittances 23:38 Father’s (& My) Remittances 36:04 Home Village 40:37 Grandfather was a Shopkeeper Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Jeffrey Eng – Teochew Qiaopi of Singapore & China Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  2. Aug 12

    Chow Khai Shui – TCM & Teck Soon Medical Hall Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore 周启仕 – 中药与德信药行第二集 | 旧新加坡记事录

    欢迎来到旧新加坡记事录。德信药行于2025年获认定为传统的旧行业。周启仕医师回顾了新加坡中医与食疗的历史及发展历程，并探讨了在中医如何配合健康SG（Healthier SG）政策，助力民众养生保健及疾病预防。 Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Teck Soon Medical Hall was recognised as a heritage business in 2025. Physician Chow Khai Shui traces the history and development of TCM and food therapy in Singapore. He talks about how Chinese medicine can contribute to wellness and prevention of illness under the Healthier SG policy. 第一集 Part 1 | https://youtu.be/-nwkrk8MB2U 第二集 Part 2 | https://youtu.be/syQpSdWZbpE 00:00 西药 Western Medicine 07:14 持续教育 Professional Development 10:48 中医名家 Famous TCM Masters 15:53 药用动物 Medicinal Animals 19:16 健康SG Healthier SG 23:27 传统的旧行业Heritage Business Teck Soon Medical Hall: https://tecksoonsg.com/ Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Chow Khai Shui – TCM & Teck Soon Medical Hall Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore 周启仕 – 中药与德信药行第二集 | 旧新加坡记事录

  3. Aug 9

    Tony O’Dempsey – Forests of Singapore Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Conservationist Tony O’Dempsey aka Uncle Tony talks about the history of forests in Singapore through the 19th and 20th centuries. Through a number of self-made maps, he shows how they fared against successive plantation crops like gambier, tapioca and rubber and the impetus for creating forest reserves. In the mid-20th century, another wave of change and destruction began as the Garden City took shape. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/_vjE_suS99E Part 2 | https://youtu.be/klLBlvczE3M 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Interest in Forests 06:06 SG Primeval 09:32 Mid-19th Century 16:17 Gambier, Gambier Everywhere 21:46 Late-19th Century 35:47 Forest Reserves 40:00 Coconut & Tapioca 42:16 Early 20th century 46:43 Secondary Forests 55:52 21st Century Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Tony O’Dempsey – Forests of Singapore Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  4. Aug 4

    Loh Kah Seng – Voices of the Singapore Story Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Older Singaporeans are generally keen to share their nostalgia for the past, but less so on controversial topics. This was what I found when I started researching the great fire at Bukit Ho Swee. The memory of public housing there will always been tied hand in glove with the widespread rumours of arson. In this podcast, I talk about what the rumours say about Singaporeans' relationship with their pasts. I also discuss how community groups and researchers can use oral history to document the shared memories of our heritage. 00:00 Introduction 02:24 Subjectivity as a Strength 06:19 Nostalgia vs. Silence 09:00 Whose Memories? 12:28 Rumours of Arson 14:05 Maggie Chong 16:05 Heartless Beasts 18:53 Tay Ah Chuan 21:17 Undying Rumours 23:32 Community Oral Histories 24:59 Possibilities 28:01 3 Tips for Oral History 31:14 Conclusion Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Loh Kah Seng – Voices of the Singapore Story Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  5. Aug 2

    Winston Wong – Gillman Barracks, Combat Engineers & Heritage Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Winston Wong remembers Gillman Barracks in the early 1970s. Trained in bomb disposal, he moved with the School of Combat Engineers from Blakang Mati (which was becoming Sentosa) to the former British camp. Near the camp was the village of Heap Guan San, whose residents had worked as gardeners and cooks for the British forces. There was also the Bourne School where the forces' children had studied. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/41X1lZL5CBM Part 2 | https://youtu.be/RtRWXt9orDY 00:00 Introduction 02:50 Leaving Blakang Mati 06:17 Pulau Brani 10:12 Gillman Today 17:39 Heap Guan San Village 22:16 School of Combat Engineers 25:18 Forested Areas 28:13 Block 9 & Regal Cinema 29:59 Bourne School 33:01 Environmental Impact Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Winston Wong – Gillman Barracks, Combat Engineers & Heritage Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  6. Jul 31

    Frederick Puah – My Hainanese Heritage | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Frederick Puah, owner of British Hainan Restaurant at Kallang Way, talks about his Hainanese roots. His father was a cook for a British family and later a sailor, while his mother was a strong woman who ran the household while he was away. Full episodes: Part 1 | https://youtu.be/RFOhmO4ZTQ8 Part 2 | https://youtu.be/V-qqatZ9eoI Part 3 | https://youtu.be/UVFN7CEuDik 00:00 Introduction 02:48 Father was a Cook 05:32 Oxtail Stew 07:53 Sailing 13:59 Kampong Loyang 16:25 Mother was Strict British Hainan: https://british-hainan.com/ Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Frederick Puah – My Hainanese Heritage | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  7. Jul 28

    Wan Chan Peew – H.M. Naval Base Walkthrough Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. In Part 2 of the walkthrough, ChanPeew Wan takes us through the famous H.M. Terror and Beaulieu House, as well as the Asian School (which became Naval Base School) and the shops before Sembawang Gate. He remembers the drunken British servicemen falling into drains but also the massive change to the Asian community when they were relocated from the base to the JTC flats at 14 Mile, Sembawang. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/RY4-YQ-sUfk Part 2 | https://youtu.be/MQ22A-iCHW0 00:00 Terror Barracks & Sultan Cinema 04:40 Water Tower & Old Medical Quarters 08:54 Asian School 10:34 Wah Hin & Cold Storage 16:33 ANZUK & the American Forces 18:22 Beaulieu House 22:29 Sembawang Village 23:46 Drinking Culture 28:40 JTC Flats 31:24 Parenting & Loss of Community

    Wan Chan Peew – H.M. Naval Base Walkthrough Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  8. Jul 26

    Lee Kok Leong – Twakows, Workhorses of the Rivers | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Former naval architect Lee Kok Leong talks about his love for the twakows of his childhood along the Singapore River. These wooden boats, called lighters in English, were vital to Singapore’s trade, carrying cargo over the last mile of water. Kok Leong remembers the masters who built these remarkable boats, the tough men who worked on them, and how the industry folded when loose cargo was replaced by the standardised box called the container in the '70s. https://youtu.be/R9tUS3PP5FU 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Boats of My Childhood 06:03 Tua-kor 10:09 Origins of Twakow 14:10 The Lightermen 21:01 Last Mile of Water 25:28 Workhorses of the Economy 29:05 The Builders 32:37 Sea Coolies 39:32 Cargo & Covers 43:55 Lighter Business 44:59 Container Revolution 50:18 Twakow as Heritage 53:29 Current Projects Lee Kok Leong李国樑: 新加坡河的船事, https://navalants.blogspot.com/2016/05/blog-post_6.html 驳船苦力走过斑驳岁月 Kuli working on lighters, https://navalants.blogspot.com/2017/05/kuli-working-on-lighters.html 新加坡的木船时代, https://navalants.blogspot.com/2021/10/blog-post.html 拥抱新中潮汕情的古老臂弯：粤东第一大港樟林港, https://navalants.blogspot.com/2019/09/blog-post_6.html 广东妈姐, https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/book-detail?cmsuuid=3a55f548-7bb7-43e2-adb2-d7140b6d4327 Toh Lam Huat, Peng Lee Er & Lim Jen Erh, Kindred Waters – Stories of the Jinjiang Coolie Community in Singapore (江河情缘), https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/Kindred_Waters:_Stories_of_The_Jinjiang_Coolie_Community_In_Singapore/bw/9789815319880 Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Lee Kok Leong – Twakows, Workhorses of the Rivers | Chronicles of Old Singapore
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Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I’m Dr Loh KS, a people’s historian. I’m interested in the history of Singapore and the lives of its people. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city today. We discuss three topics: 1. People and places. 2. Change and continuity. 3. The importance of heritage. Caveat: this is a podcast based on personal memory. As has been well-documented in oral history, memory is not always reliable and what is recalled here should not be taken as fact.

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