Chronicles of Old Singapore

Loh Kah Seng
  • 5.0 (1)
  • History
  • 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. 16h ago

    Voices – Old Tanjong Pagar Remembered | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Tanjong Pagar today is unrecognisable from what it used to be in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Eight old-timers recall their childhoods in the Singapore Harbour Board, as well as the staff quarters, flats, schools, and bustling life at Singapore’s historic port. https://youtu.be/4eOaoObW5oc 00:00 Introduction 00:15 M. Subramaniam 07:12 V. Maheantharan 12:46 Meeravathay P.S. 21:05 Sathasivam Kolandaivelu 29:37 Asok Kumar 38:17 Rajandeeren Kanayan 43:43 Chinniah Saraswathy & P. Rajamogan Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian and I document 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

    Voices – Old Tanjong Pagar Remembered | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  2. 2d ago

    Uncle Ringo – Sembawang Bands & Travelling Carnivals Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Uncle Ringo tells the story behind his name – the Beatles (of course) and two kids. He went into the carnival business in 1984 to bring joy to children. He experienced high points and struggles in the business. Today? Uncle Ringo is not quite done. wants to organise musical performances to bring joy to older folks – his generation. He reflects on leaving the old Sembawang Strip in the ‘70s and the end of its bands. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/PDV7_d_WXzA Part 2 | https://youtu.be/BAzGYSyei7Y 00:00 To Make Children Happy 03:57 Becoming Uncle Ringo 07:28 Heartland Carnivals 09:25 1987 Event at Ngee Ann 15:40 Pivoting to Seniors 22:14 Silver Generation 28:54 Decline of Sembawang Strip 33:37 Remembering the Sembawang Bands Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian and I document 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

    Uncle Ringo – Sembawang Bands & Travelling Carnivals Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  3. Oct 27

    Thiyaga Raju – Legends of Singapore Football Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Thiyaga Raju, historian and fan of Singapore football, tells more stories of Singapore football legends: V. Sundramoorthy, S. Rajagopal, Arshad Khamis, Uncle Choo’s team which won the 1977 Malaysia Cup, and the greatest ever Singapore team. We reflect on how this footballing heritage can inspire present and future players. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/DHm8s_g2Mkc Part 2 | https://youtu.be/C06EThnSdQc 00:00 1977 Malaysia Cup Final 08:49 Pele in Singapore 10:19 S. Rajagopal 15:46 V. Sundramoorthy 17:47 Arshad Khamis 24:16 The Greatest SG Team 27:26 Family & Football 33:39 Passion, Determination, Progress 41:22 Malaysia Football Book ROAR: Football Legends of Singapore https://pagesetters.sg/product/roar-football-legends-of-singapore/ Captain Marvel: The T. Pathmanathan Story https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=2e456eb8-6372-554e-90a2-da909e7f81ff&entityType=FormatGroup 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

    Thiyaga Raju – Legends of Singapore Football Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  4. Oct 25

    Sukhdev Singh Gill – Sikhs, Jagas & Policemen Part 4 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Sukhdev Singh Gill remembers becoming interested in politics at a young age. He threw his hat in the ring in the 2015 elections, contesting Jurong GRC as a Singaporeans First candidate. The team lost but kept its deposit. As a ex-police officer, he believes former civil servants have a role to play in Singapore's political life. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/yrwMp7NRj0Y Part 2 | https://youtu.be/Vowo8sDLBmk Part 3 | https://youtu.be/p-uLp9hkWBg Part 4 | https://youtu.be/QOjXxK6UxtI 00:00 Singaporeans First 05:56 Former Civil Servants 09:15 Immigration Policy 10:47 A Think Tank 14:42 My Books Sukhdev’s books: Boh cheng hoo: a Sikh boy in Hokkien gangland https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=d9a97a7b-3534-5db2-9281-f87020349847&entityType=FormatGroup Bang cheng hoo: a Sikh man in SG police force https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=620f135a-c12b-5ded-9b00-d747bb46962a&entityType=FormatGroup Gong cheng hoo: a Sikh elder in Sulawesi & SG politics https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=8a184efd-f699-595e-8896-64910dc74851&entityType=FormatGroup 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

    Sukhdev Singh Gill – Sikhs, Jagas & Policemen Part 4 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  5. Oct 21

    Loh Kah Seng – The British Bases Part 3: End of an Era | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. The British military bases were vital for Singapore’s economy and defence. When they closed down in the late 1960s, the withdrawal became a catalyst for Singapore’s development. But for many in the former bases – residents, communities, villages, bars, and music bands – it was the end of an era. Families were dispersed to different parts of the world. Britain would no longer be No. 1 and the old jobs were gone, replaced by new regimes of labour discipline and productivity. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/1gowQfMb44E Part 2 | https://youtu.be/zjajjG3agts Part 3 | https://youtu.be/8OAnQpxBmCc 00:14 Retraining Photo 00:46 People of the Bases 04:36 Peter Dorairaj 05:31 Redundancy & Retraining 09:49 Big Vision, Grim Faces 11:30 Lim Meng Jock 13:06 Labour Laws 18:12 The Amahs Depart 19:23 Kochu Kerala 20:35 Rehousing 22:32 End of Villages & Bands 23:49 Families Split Up 25:58 C. Sarojini 27:12 Demolition 29:03 New Sembawang 30:34 Conclusion 32:03 Redevelopment 2.0 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 – The British Bases Part 3: End of an Era | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  6. Oct 18

    Tong Kok Wing – 110 Years of Chop Wah On in Chinatown Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Founded in 1916, Chop Wah On is a manufacturer of the Shake Hand brand of medicated oil and balm. Tong Kok Wing, who runs the shop with his siblings, traces his roots in Chinatown. He tells how his father once kept a mini-zoo at the back of their original shophouse at Pagoda Street and the origins of their crocodile and herbal oils. Today, Chop Wah On is a certified heritage business. 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Our Books 03:52 30 Years in Chinatown 07:00 My Father from Special Branch 12:22 Animals of Pagoda Street 16:10 Crocodile Oil & Shake Hand Brand 22:57 Herbal Oils 29:49 Story of Wah On 32:32 Family Business 37:21 GM vs. Shopkeeper 40:38 Ax Brand & Tiger Balm 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

    Tong Kok Wing – 110 Years of Chop Wah On in Chinatown Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  7. Oct 12

    Loh Kah Seng – Shopkeepers of Chinatown Part 2: People’s History | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. My new book, co-authored with Stephen Dobbs, recounts the little-known history of shopkeepers. As a varied group of small capitalists, they made Old Chinatown such a fabulously memorable place. Over the last 60 years, they struggled to cope as Chinatown was drastically redeveloped. I discuss two businesses that are trying to survive today – the effigy carver Say Tian Hng and small Chinese bookstores. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/1gowQfMb44E Part 2 | https://youtu.be/zjajjG3agts Part 3 | https://youtu.be/8OAnQpxBmCc 00:00 Introduction 02:02 Origins of the Book 04:35 People’s History of Shopkeepers 06:46 Ji Ji Noodles 08:30 The Shopkeepers’ Town 12:24 The Research 14:36 Letter-Writer 17:06 UN Reports & Other Sources 21:03 Speaking to Shopkeepers 26:19 Eng Tiang Huat 27:09 Thye Shan Medical Hall 27:51 Pearl’s Optical 28:36 Signcraft, Brothel, Goldsmith 30:42 Say Tian Hng 34:21 Chinese Bookstores 38:50 Conclusion Shopkeepers of Chinatown: A Business World in Motion, 1819-2025 Kinokuniya https://kinokuniya.com.sg/products/9786297575698 Shopee SG https://shopee.sg/Shopkeepers-of-Chinatown-Loh-Kah-Seng-Stephen-Dobbs-(SIRD)-i.279887392.52914597553 City Book Room https://citybookroom.com/products/pre-order-shopkeepers-of-chinatown-loh-kah-seng-stephen-dobbs SIRD (Publisher) https://www.gerakbudaya.com/product/shopkeepers-of-chinatown NLB https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=ccfd463e-d61b-53ef-9843-956e9a0d8652&entityType=FormatGroup 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 – Shopkeepers of Chinatown Part 2: People’s History | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  8. Oct 11

    Yeo Hock Yew – NAFA, Comics & My Love for Art & Football Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I learned a lot from speaking to Yeo Hock Yew about little-known parts of our history. He grew up in a kampong house in Kampong Bahru near Singapore General Hospital (See Pai Poh) before moving into an SIT flat at Strathmore Avenue, Queenstown. Hock Yew loved art as a kid and studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, where he was taught by the Nanyang artist Lim Yew Kuan. This merged with his other interests – football and reading – and led him to the exciting, forgotten world of football comics. 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Kampong Bahru Childhood 08:07 SGH & Other Places 11:18 Peranakans from Riau 16:43 Moving to Strathmore Avenue 21:00 Straits Times 22:52 My Schools 30:31 Early Interest in Art 34:38 Sociology in University 38:03 Painting at NAFA 45:29 Art in Church & University 47:35 Football Comics 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

    Yeo Hock Yew – NAFA, Comics & My Love for Art & Football Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
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About

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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