This land plot was purchased by my grandparents, Lim Kay Sean and Lim Pai (Kim Pai), on 23 January 1936 for about 5,000 Bahts (A bowl of noodles was about 0.05 Bahts at the time). Its initial size was 421.7 square Wah (1,686.80 sq.m.). They built up a very beautiful wooden house on this land but did not have much time to raise up their children before the World War II began in 1939. As my grandfather had English citizenship, he and my grandmother moved to Penang, Malaysia just to be safe from the war and grew up their children.
The house above belong to Kun Pitak Borihan, a government official in the reign of King Rama VI.
The tragedy was actually not from war, but from the departure of my grandmother during her stay in Penang leaving my grandfather growing up all their children alone.
After the war, the family returned to Bangkok and grew the children with help from my grandmother’s sister, Kim Kia. However, since the house was deserted for years without any maintenance and was not in good condition after the war. The house was demolished in late 1970s and some of the remaining pieces of wood were used to build the new house ‘Yesterday Sathon.’
Unfortunately, my grandfather did not have much time to enjoy the new house. He passed away in 1980 leaving the house with one of his son to take care of.
The ‘Yesterday Sathon’ house was built in old Thai style of the 70s. Part of the garden was preserved which still has a huge banyan tree, giant bamboos, wild coconut, bananas and ponds. The place is adjacent to the main road surrounded by many attractions but still quiet and cozy. Traveling around is easy by many public transportation including BTS skytrain, taxi, pick-up taxi, expressway, motorcycle taxi or even on foot.
I try my best to preserve this house as it is one of the most memorable part of my childhood. Please stay as if you are part of our family and help bringing back the living history of ‘Yesterday Sathon.’
Kayasidh Kasyapanun
Lim Kay Sean and Lim Pai’s grandson
23 August 2019
