If one was to take a trip up Rang Hill - whether it is to visit a restaurant (Phuket View, Tunka Cafe or Khao Rang Breeze) one should always look a little further.
I cannot come here without visiting the Wat Thepkajonjit with the Golden Buddah on the roof and the creative decoration at the front - a wonderful experience.
However there is a monument at the very top constructed to commemorate the Phuket Governor who is credited to starting the Rubber Business in Phuket - Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahisornpakdi.
So what is so interesting about this?
Well he is actually a Chinese Tycoon but he did save the business in Phuket. The price of Tin was dwindling and the price of rice was not doing much better. He persuaded the people of Phuket (and hundreds of Chinese) to plant Rubber Trees - and it was a very successful move.
His second name to which he is referred to is Khaw Sim Bee.
Rumour does tell me that he actually smuggled back the seeds to the rubber trees after a visit to Malaya...
Despite this King Rama V Chulalongkorn of Thailand named him as the most successful Provincial Governor (in that period) and then King Rama VI conferred him Thailand's Highest Honour - The Grand Cross of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
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