Sungai Upe : Little Penang

รายละเอียด

Sungai Upe, also known as "Little Penang," is an ancient community located in the Thung Wa District of Satun Province, Thailand. In the past, it was an important trading port, particularly for commerce between the British colony of Penang and various towns along the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The name "Sungai Upe" comes from the Malay language: "Sungai" means "river" and "Upe" refers to the dried leaves of a local tree, Lao Chao On, that float down the river when they mature. This distinctive characteristic of the river gave the town its name.
At its peak, Sungai Upe was a key hub for the trade of goods like pepper, spices, and mangrove firewood, especially attracting Chinese immigrants who settled in the area to cultivate and export these commodities. As a result, it flourished as a major port in the region.
However, over time, advancements in transportation and the rise of rubber plantations in the southern Andaman coast led to a decline in the town’s significance. The development of nearby districts like La-Ngu overshadowed Sungai Upe, causing it to become quieter.
The revitalization of Sungai Upe began in the post-2007 era with the discovery of important geological sites and fossils in the region. This led to the establishment of the Satun Geopark, which was later recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The renewed interest brought focus back to the old port and town, helping restore its historical and cultural importance.
Today, the old town of Sungai Upe not only serves as a symbol of the region’s prosperous trading past but also as a center for learning about geology, nature conservation, and social history at an international level.