How Little Thailand’s “Cruise Liner” Came to Be

This “ship” was actually designed in accordance with nature!

Singapore is a tiny island nation surrounded by water. Thanks to its prime location, it’s a key port for freighters and cruise ships that have helped Singapore become a global maritime centre. Hmm…perhaps it’s an overloading of our port that has caused some ships to go onto land?

Confused? Don’t be! What we mean is that Singapore has several buildings that are shaped like vessels, such as The Salvation Army Eratchippu Corps at Upper Bukit Timah Road, Beach Road’s Golden Mile Complex and more. These buildings look like ships parked on land – Golden Mile Complex looks like a luxury cruise liner slowly but steadily sailing towads Kallang River, meeting the newly completed Singapore Sports Hub to head out to the world!

Golden Mile Complex stands near Kallang River on Beach Road. Before extensive land reclamation works, Beach Road actually ran along the coastline, as its name would imply.

From a Landform feng shui perspective, the Singapore River and Kallang River are Singapore’s two “water dragons”, and Beach Road, which is located between these two “dragons”, is the rare and precious “pearl” in the highly desirable “Twin Dragons Holding Up a Pearl” feng shui formation. No wonder Beach Road was once an important goods distribution and transportation centre, with throngs of foreigners and tourists settling here. Even today, this area is a popular spot for tourists.

Is this why Golden Mile Complex’s developers and architects modelled the building after a ship – to reflect and emphasize its function as a goods distribution centre? No one can confirm this; nevertheless, our deduction is based on feng shui perspectives.

The Chinese classic I Ching explains this in a most straightforward manner: What shows in the sky, shapes the land and changes man. When a place has accumulated a certain amount of momentum, its surrounding environment, including the appearance of buildings, will naturally follow that momentum.

This previously excellent location was developed into a distribution centre (momentum gained). Naturally, buildings that resembled ocean liners began appearing (following the momentum).

However, because of land reclamation works, the “pearl” that is Beach Road has gradually shifted towards Marina Park. Furthermore, buildings constructed in the 70’s were lacking in design and did not make good use of the superior feng shui environment. Many of the buildings along this road often impart a “trapped” feeling, leading to a lifeless atmosphere and the eventual loss of its position as a goods distribution centre (momentum lost).

Golden Mile Complex’s faded glory is reflected in its tired, unrenovated façade. We can only lament: “the ships are still here, but the people are gone.” However, Golden Mile Complex today still maintains its role in “transport” with many travel agencies as tenants. It’s also a terminus for coach services to and from Malaysia and Thailand.

Thanks to its convenient location, Golden Mile Complex has become a gathering spot for most Thais in Singapore, hence the nickname “Little Thailand”.

“What shows in the sky, shapes the land and changes man”. To those of you running businesses here, you’ll need enough smarts, courage, and insight in order to create a competitive edge!