Page 52 - วารสารแสงธรรม เล่ม 9

The Light of Dharma July 2020 – June 2021 51

The gods in Kathu Shrine now

the epidemic came to an end. This has
now become an annual festival of
brothers and sisters of Chinese descent
(and others) around Phuket. This festival
has now spread as a vegetarian Taphao Noi lighthouse
observance festival, almost nationwide.
checkpoint in Thailand occurred at
(2) Phuket, nessesitated by the arrival of
Quarantine Station labourers from other countries,
The second part will discuss the health predomiantly China. These immigrants
system of this important, the Island of had set out to make their fortune from
royal wealth, of the past continuing on tin mining, Thailand’s important export
from the previous part. at that time and their skills. This was
To prevent the epidemic spreading, during the reign of King Rama IV to Rama
prior to entering the Island, a temporary V of the Rattanakosin Period (1851-1910).
“quarantine checkpoint” was The Bowring Treaty between the
established. The first quarantine British Empire and The Kingdom of Siam
in 1855 saw a lot of Chinese who,
seeking their fortune, arrived by Junk
from the Hokkien province and destined
for the tin mines of Phuket. They were
first taken to stay on Taphao Yai Island
not far to the southeast of Phuket.
There, they were made to thoroughly
clean themselves, their clothes, and
their belongings and included having
their heads shaved and undergoing a
Map showing the Taphao Yai and Taphao Noi health check by a doctor, before being
Islands