2013
Oct
2

Thio Guan Tat: Pioneer in Remittance Services

0

 

Located by the roundabout in Hill 1 (near the LTA signboard) is the tomb of Thio (Teo) Guan Tat who came from Fujian Province and was a pioneer in the remittance business.

Teo_Thio Guan Tat.jpg  3 Ee Hoon
Thio Guan Tat _Ee Hoon

Thio (Teo) Guan Tat ( photo Khoo Ee Hoon)

On the altar of his tomb, is an epitaph  inscribed in elegant calligraphy

Teo_Thio Guan Tat.jpg 2 Ee Hoon

Thio (Teo) Guan Tat ( photo Khoo Ee Hoon)

Summarised by Brownie  Khoo Ee Hoon:
“Mr Thio Guan Tat came to Singapore as a youth with high aspirations and who strived for many years before succeeding. Finally in 1920 he started “Thio Guan Tong” a import and export business. He profited from his business and shortly after started a remittance agency  at South Bridge Road. His remittance business became  the most well known and popular Hokkien Remittance company.
Mr Thio is a generous and kind man, who lend a hand to his fellow clan men and  society.”
Teo_Thio Guan Tat.jpg 1 Ee Hoon

(photo Khoo Ee Hoon)

Thio’s tomb  stake number 1044  will have to be exhumed to make way for the highway

Print Friendly, PDF & Email