22 NOVEMBER 2024 ~ After checking out from the hotel at about 10:00 a.m., we all traveled down south for 60 kilometres, heading to the bigger city called Satun. The destination was Satun National Museum.
Unfortunately we did not have the time to explore Satun city. Do you know that Satun was once a part of Kedah? However, because of the treaty between British and the Thai government in 1909, Setul [the original name of Satun] was handed over to our neighbour country - as easy as that.
We were the only visitors when we arrived there in the afternoon. The building looked so much like a a British colonial house.
Here are some interesting facts about the museum:
- Completed in 1916, the museum is also known as Ku Den mansion - the house of Tuanku Baharuddin, the Governor of Satun.
- Originally, the mansion was meant to be transit residence for King Rama V when came visiting, but was then changed to the Governor's house or the accommodation for official guests.
- During World War ll, the building was used by the Japanese administration.
- The building was renovated in 1994.
- The museum was opened to the public on 9th June 2000.
The museum was divided into six sections but we found the Living Room area the most interesting. It looked like a traditional Malay house, with minimum furniture and decoration, simple and yet comfortable because of its spaciousness.
It was only a small space and we spent about an hour there.
The map should provide you with the information on the route taken from Pakbara to Satun city that day.
When I did the research before going on the road trip and after coming home, one good thing is that I got to learn more about the history of Southern Thailand. I just have to say that we have been the victims of cruel colonialism where lands were divided according to the colonialists' whims and fancies.
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