Bangkok Lane曼谷巷(10250 Penang)

Bangkok Lane or Lorong Bangkok, is the most beautiful lane in Penang. It is located between Burma Road(Jalan Burma) and Kelawai Road(Jalan Kelawei), located in the Pulau Tikus area (literally means Rat Island), but the area is neither an island nor the place infested with rats) area. But it may be named after a little isle or small rocky island shaped like a mouse, off north-east coast of Penang island, about 2km away from Pulau Tikus. It is actually one of the high end residential area in Penang, mainly Eurasians.

The Bangkok Lane is lined with two rows of beautiful linked townhouses, totalling 41 units which are all of similar design. The houses were built in 1928 by Cheah Leong Keah, who started out as maker and repair of horse carriages and pioneer the motor firm in Penang. All these colonial pre-war buildings belong to one family. In old days,only the family members of Cheah and Kee can lived in these houses. But it was reported that the grandchildren of the owner are now staying oversea, and they now rented out the buildings.

While walking along the road, you feel like you are now walking in one of the European town.

From the Burma Road end, there is famous Mee Goreng(Fried Noodles, mamak style) at the left of Burma Road/Bangkok Lane junction. It is located in the Chinese coffee shop, Seng Lee Cafe(胜利茶室), the owner of the mee stall is an Indian Muslim(or Mamak) who can speak Hokkian.

From the Kalawei Road, it started with two mansions at the frontage facing the road. On the right is the house once stayed by the former CEO of Sin Ping Jit Pau, who is my classmate Danny Goh's father. I have once visited the house during my sixth form days.










MR. CHEAH LEONG KEAH(谢永嘉局绅), J.P.(b1875~d1941)

1875 - He was born in 1875 in

Chenghai District(澄海区),Swatow City(now known as Shantou City(汕头市), Guangdong Province(广东省), South China. He is son of Mr. Cheah Chin Seah (谢振声).  He is a Teowchew. Hardworking, and intelligent with the rare gift of vision and a sound belief that life is full of opportunities, he had a great urge to get away from China and seek his fortune in the wide world.

1914 - He had to choose a country where opportunities were abundant. With courage, confidence, foresight and a great belief in himself he left China in 1914 with his family and came to Penang. Penang was one of the three Straits Settlements under British rule along with Malacca and Singapore.

It was in Penang that his first vision was realized. He was the pioneer of the horse and carriage business and thereafter his company Chin Seng & Co. was born. It was located at Kimberley Street, Penang. Subsequenthly Chin Seng was the first importer of motor cars in Penang. When the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward the Eighth, visited Penang, Mr Cheah Leong Keah, JP , took the Prince ceremonially sightseeing in his car.

He was an entrepreneur and from cars he expanded his vision to rubber planting. He developed rubber estates: Napoh Estate and Chang Loon in Jitra, near the Thai border. He amassed land in Transfer Road and Kelawai Road and also a substantial plot of land stretching from Gurney beach to Kelawai Road and part of Burmah Road. He built residential properties at Phuah Hin Leong and retail outlets in Pulau Tikus and also at Trusan Road.

1928 - he built houses which are now Heritage houses in Bangkok Lane and it was his aspiration that the houses would be for his descendants. True to his dream some of  them are living there today or have a house to cherish his memory.

1931-1938 - he was one of the committee member(信理员) of Penang Teochew Association((source: http://www.penangteochew.org.my/viewpost.php?post=5)

1935 -he donated 22.5 acres of land in Sungai Dua for the Jubilee Home in honour of the anniversary of the coronation of King George V. He wanted to give 50 acres but it was considered too large a plot to handle at that time. He gave alms to various charities, the Buddhist association at Anson Road was one of them and also at Beow Hong Lim temple near the foot hill of Ayer Itam. There are a hundred and thirty one units of residential and commercial properties which are rented out or lived in at Bangkok Lane by his descendants.

He was decorous in manner and conduct and though Bangkok Lane could be named after him, it seemed he would rather remain anonymous and let Bangkok Lane be a historical name.

He was a philanthropist and in his lifetime helped finance the poor, young entrepreneurs to gain a foothold in business. He was awarded the very rare and highly honoured title, in those days, Justice of the Peace.

1940- He was giving a speech at Kek Lok Si Temple(一九四0年，太虛大師受重慶政府邀請，組織「國際佛教訪問團」， 以國府林森主席為名譽顧問，印光法師為名譽導師，他為團長，率領慈航、葦舫、等慈、惟幻諸師為團員，至印度、緬甸、越南等東南亞各國佈教。歸經星馬，曾來檳城數日，在極樂寺歡迎會演講佛法，參加的僑領有林耀椿、陳肇琪、謝永嘉、何如群、及會泉和尚，相繼演說)。(http://www.pohootoong.org/home/wenhuaxuehui/wenhuaxuehui/2009-05-26/77.html).He is active in Buddhist community in Penang, and donated graciously to temple and Buddhist associations.

1941- A great man of honour and integrity, he died on 25 March 1941, never suspecting that within a few months the Japanese would overrun his beloved Penang.


谢永嘉，祖籍广东澄海，潮籍。出生於马六甲。字元度，幼因家贫进入牙民万兰皇家学校读英文，仅二年即停习。当时其父振声，创有振成号，经营汽车钟表等。永嘉帮助父亲料理店务。待父逝世时，生意仍亨通。一九一0年，将店转售英人，改组为有限公司，仍聘永嘉为总经理。此外自置树胶园千亩。他深富唐山观念、民国刚成立，即邀约朋友赴华，游览北京、上海、汉口、九江、天津等名胜。昔年潮汕水灾，本屿组有救灾团，他被推选为理事。其他如平章会馆协理、韩江学校董事、广汀会馆信理员、欧洲红十字会及各地赈恤，皆量力捐输。战前（第二次世界大战）送双溪赖地一幅予政府兴建银禧老人院。一九四一年谢世。妻王氏，子四，女八。（郑永美）
8-9-2003 09:19 PM