Hongsyok Mansion
It’s the name of the house that LuangAnuphasphuketkarn (Mr.Chinguan Hongyok) the founder of Anuphas & Son Co.Ltd. built in 1930, designed by Khun Pisansaragram. It took about three years for the construction of the house. It was called “Ang Mor Lao”, which means “Western Building” because the house was a mix of European, Chinese architect , unlike the popular townhouse in those days.
Some groups have called for a building that looks like this in Phuket. “Chino-Portuguese,” because it was mixed of Europian and Chinese style of construction. There are unlikely to be left until these years because this culture has a long history. It should be a “colonial style” rather than due to the influence of the Europeans trading in later generations which can be seen from the neighbors, Penang, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The house was planted on five acres land. Only the house using a 3/4 acre with one guest bedroom, five bedrooms for the residents, one working room, a Buddha’s statue room, one big visitor room, one small visitor room,one 18 seat dining room, a living room or multipurpose room which is a big main hall, a laundry room and etc.
All furniture was custom made from Bangkok, that currently still in use. The floor tiles are mosaic and the roof tiles were ordered from England because of the good quality. The roof color remained and preserved through years of flood, and rainy season. Additionally, fans, lamps, power outlets are still in use with well condition.
Mrs.Boonsri Hongsyok who married to the eldest son of Luangauphasphuketkarn, Mr.Virat Hongyok who was passed away. She received the legacy of the house and still upheld the original intention of Luanganuphasphuketkarn who wanted this place to be the center of “Hongsyok” family so every year, all the brothers , sisters and members of the family will come back to rest in this house and celebrate the ancestor ceremony (Cheng Meng Ceremony) together at the family cemetery. Moreover, if anyone honorable guests or company important guests or visitor, this house resident will be honorably served to them. It’s also a place where organized “Traditional tea ceremony” of southern wedding ceremony as known as “Pang Te” including the bride and groom bedroom ceremony. The family members have tried to maintain this building as its first built condition. It’s received the certificate from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand in the exhibition “Architecture 30” in the year 1987. This place is also contributed as field trip landmark for various institutions, filming scene or magazine photography set consistently.
