Wichit Songkhram hounoured for founding Phuket Town
PHUKET VICE GOVERNOR Adul Chuthong last week led a ceremony to pay tribute to Phraya Wichit Songkhram, credited as the ‘founding father’ of Phuket Town.
The ceremony was held at the revered Phraya Wichit Songkhram Monument (Tat Rattanadilok Na Phuket) at Wat Wichit Sangkharam (Wat Kuan) in Phuket Town Feb 28.
Present were dignitaries, government officials and descendants of the respected Rattanadilok Na Phuket lineage.
“We gather here today to remember and praise the virtues of Phraya Wichit Songkhram, whose contributions laid the foundation for progress in various fields. His dedication to the betterment of our community serves as a beacon for all civil servants,” said Vice Governor Adul.
Phraya Wichit Songkhram served as Governor of Phuket from 1849-1869, and died in 1890 at the age of 54. His terms as Governor spanned three reigns, from the end of King Rama III to King Rama V.
Phraya Wichit Songkhram is mostly honoured for his pioneering efforts in tin mining, particularly in the Thung Kha Bay area, which at the time was nothing more than wild undergrowth and mangrove forest.
His initiatives transformed the once-desolate area into a bustling city teeming with commerce and cultural exchange, Vice Governor Adul said.
“He developed the area into a thriving city with shops, and bringing a lot of people. There was trading of tin ore with foreigners. and a large amount of money was sent to the central government in taxes,” he said.
“He was granted a fief of 10,000 rai starting at the foot of Khao Toh Sae, which he designated as the location of the Provincial Hall, Provincial
Court and various government agencies, including Wat Wichit Sangkharam (Wat Kuan),” he added.
The commemorative ceremony, held as part of an annual tradition to honour the forefathers of Phuket Town, saw the laying of wreaths by a selection of governmental bodies, private organisations and community leaders. Joining the occasion were Phuket Town Mayor Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob.
The ceremony coincided with the anniversary of the enshrinement of the Phraya Wichit Songkhram statue at Wat Wichit Sangkharam, and included a service led by Buddhist monks. The Phuket News