Tanah Merah, Singapore
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Tanah Merah ( ta, தானா மேரா), is a geographical region located along the south-eastern coast of the East Region of
Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
. Although its boundaries are not exactly clear, it is widely accepted that the term refers to the southern coast of present-day
Bedok Bedok () is a planning area and matured residential town located in the geographical region of Tanah Merah along the south-eastern coast of the East Region of Singapore. Bedok is bounded by five other planning areas: Paya Lebar to the north, ...
,
Tampines Tampines () is the regional centre of the East Region of Singapore. With a population of 265,340 living across its five subzones, it is the second-most populous planning area in Singapore, according to the DOS Population Trends 2022. It is h ...
,
Changi Changi () is a planning area located in the geographical region of Tanah Merah in the East Region of Singapore. Sharing borders with Pasir Ris and Tampines to the west, Changi Bay to the southeast, the South China Sea to the east and the Seran ...
and
Changi Bay Changi Bay is a planning area located in the geographical region of Tanah Merah in the East Region of Singapore. The planning area is bordered by Changi to the west and the South China Sea to the east, north and south. This planning area also i ...
.


Etymology

The name "Tanah Merah" appears in the seventeenth century (1604) map by
Manuel Godinho de Erédia Manuel Godinho de Erédia, or Emanuel Godinho de Erédia (16 July 1563 – 1623), was a Bugis-Portuguese writer and cartographer. He wrote a number of books, including an early account of the Malay Peninsula that is a source of information on th ...
on Singapore, written as ''Tana Mera''. This place name is likely to have been an important reference point for the ''
orang laut The Orang Laut are several seafaring ethnic groups and tribes living around Singapore, peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau Islands. The Orang Laut are commonly identified as the Orang Seletar from the Straits of Johor, but the term ma ...
'' (sea people) in their activities in the region. The
Malay Malay may refer to: Languages * Malay language or Bahasa Melayu, a major Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore ** History of the Malay language, the Malay language from the 4th to the 14th century ** Indonesi ...
name for this area is derived from the red
lateritic Laterite is both a soil and a rock type rich in iron and aluminium and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are of rusty-red coloration, because of high iron oxide content. They develop by ...
cliffs along the
coast The coast, also known as the coastline or seashore, is defined as the area where land meets the ocean, or as a line that forms the boundary between the land and the coastline. The Earth has around of coastline. Coasts are important zones in n ...
that were visible from the sea, hence the name ''Tanah Merah'' or "red land". The earliest written reference comes from James Horsburgh's 1806 chart of "Singapore and
Malacca Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
", which has the name "Red Cliffs". Later, two sets of red cliffs were identified in Franklin and
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Qu ...
's 1830 map: "Large Red Cliff" (Tanah Merah area) and "Small Red Cliff" (present
Bedok Bedok () is a planning area and matured residential town located in the geographical region of Tanah Merah along the south-eastern coast of the East Region of Singapore. Bedok is bounded by five other planning areas: Paya Lebar to the north, ...
area) and "2nd Red Cliffs" (Tanah Merah area). J.E. Tassin's 1836 ''Map of Singapore'' refers to the area as "1st Red Cliffs" (Bedok area) and "2nd Red Cliffs" (Tanah Merah area). Old maps also show the existence of Tanah Merah Road as early as the 1840s, which stretched from
Kallang River The Kallang River (, ms, Sungei Kallang) is the longest river in Singapore, flowing for 10 kilometers. from the Lower Peirce Reservoir (originally named "Kallang River Reservoir") to the Kallang Basin. It originates in the planning ...
to
Changi Changi () is a planning area located in the geographical region of Tanah Merah in the East Region of Singapore. Sharing borders with Pasir Ris and Tampines to the west, Changi Bay to the southeast, the South China Sea to the east and the Seran ...
Point. Now, the road ran mostly along the original route but was renamed
Geylang Geylang is a planning area and township located on the eastern fringe of the Central Region of Singapore, bordering Hougang and Toa Payoh in the north, Marine Parade in the south, Bedok in the east, and Kallang in the west. Geylang is perha ...
Road, Changi Road and Upper Changi Road, with a section between
Siglap Siglap is a neighbourhood located in Bedok in the East Region of Singapore. The area also encompasses the Frankel and Opera Estates and their names have sometimes been used interchangeably to refer to the approximate same area. The planning su ...
Road and Tanah Merah Kechil Road lost after the hills of
Chai Chee Chai Chee (), also known as Kampong Chai Chee, is a housing estate located in the town of Bedok in Singapore. The estate was named after a village known as Kampong Chai Chee which formerly occupied the vicinity. It is served by two major namesake ...
and
Bedok Bedok () is a planning area and matured residential town located in the geographical region of Tanah Merah along the south-eastern coast of the East Region of Singapore. Bedok is bounded by five other planning areas: Paya Lebar to the north, ...
were levelled, and another short section lost under
Changi Airport Singapore Changi Airport, commonly known as Changi Airport , is a major civilian international airport that serves Singapore, and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. As one of the world's busiest airports by international passe ...
. Later, the road leading to "Large Red Cliff" was named "Tanah Merah Besar Road" while the other was named "Tanah Merah Kechil Road". ''Besar'' means "large" while ''Kechil'' means "little" in Malay. The presence of
weathered ''Weathered'' is the third studio album by American rock band Creed, released on November 20, 2001. It was the last Creed album to be released until '' Full Circle'' came out in October 2009, with Creed disbanding in June 2004. It is the only Cr ...
lateritic
soil Soil, also commonly referred to as earth or dirt, is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life. Some scientific definitions distinguish ''dirt'' from ''soil'' by restricting the former te ...
provided the red-orange colouring of the area that led to its name even before Raffles' founding of Singapore. The exposed red lateritic soils were probably visible to many passing boats and hence the "landmark" was captured in early maps of Singapore.


History

When land reclamation works began in the early 1970s, most of the coastal hills were levelled and dumped into the sea to create the present
East Coast East Coast may refer to: Entertainment * East Coast hip hop, a subgenre of hip hop * East Coast (ASAP Ferg song), "East Coast" (ASAP Ferg song), 2017 * East Coast (Saves the Day song), "East Coast" (Saves the Day song), 2004 * East Coast FM, a ra ...
. The
East Coast Parkway The East Coast Parkway (Abbreviation: ECP) is an expressway that runs along the southeastern coast of Singapore. The expressway is approximately in length, and connects Singapore Changi Airport in the east to the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, in ...
was constructed almost completely on reclaimed land. The location of ''Tanah Merah Kechil'' cliff is where
Temasek Primary School This is a list of primary schools in Singapore. Children typically start their primary education in the year they turn seven. Primary education lasts six years, and is compulsory for all Singapore citizens. Primary schools in Singapore are clas ...
now stands. One can still see where the hills abruptly end at the junction of Bedok South Avenue 3 and Upper East Coast Road at one end, and New Upper Changi Road at the other end. ''Tanah Merah Besar'' was a large coastal cliff located approximately at the southern end of
Changi Airport Terminal 3 Singapore Changi Airport is Singapore's primary international airport and a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. It is one of the commercial airports in Singapore, the other being the Seletar Airport. Since the rankings for the World' ...
. Its base was exposed to large tidal surges which created a 'thunderous roar' as the waves crashed on its rocky base and the sound echoed in the hollows and cavelets. It was reported that the booming sound was loud enough to be heard at a nearby village, especially during the
monsoon A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscil ...
season. Hence the name of that village, ''Kampong Ayer Gemuroh'', or Thundering Water Village. Now, the only reference to the village is a drainage canal sometimes referred to as Ayer Gemuroh Canal, which was once ''Sungei Ayer Gemuroh'', that runs along the West Perimeter Fence of Changi Airport, behind
Changi Prison Changi Prison Complex, often known simply as Changi Prison, is a prison in Changi in the eastern part of Singapore. History First prison Before Changi Prison was constructed, the only penal facility in Singapore was at Pearl's Hill, beside t ...
. Number 48A, Tanah Merah Besar Road was the home of David Marshall. He was a barrister in what was then The Malay Federation,a champion defender of the poor and of the accused facing execution (which he abhorred). Marshall became Singapore's first Chief Minister when it separated from the British Colonial rule of the Malay Federation.


Transport

Tanah Merah's
suburbs A suburb (more broadly suburban area) is an area within a metropolitan area, which may include commercial and mixed-use, that is primarily a residential area. A suburb can exist either as part of a larger city/urban area or as a separate ...
has a number of available transport routes in and out of the area, making its accessibility little cause for concern. New Upper Changi Road, which runs through the residential area of Tanah Merah, offers a number of bus services, some of which travel long distances. Raised above the middle of New Upper Changi Road is
Tanah Merah MRT station Tanah Merah MRT station is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West line located in Bedok, Singapore. Other than the main service for the East West line, Tanah Merah station is also the terminus for the Chang ...
, a railway station which also operates as an interchange for passengers who wish to travel by train to
Singapore Expo Singapore EXPO is the largest convention and exhibition venue in Singapore with over 100,000 square metres of column-free, indoor space spread over 10 halls. The center was designed by Cox Richardson Rayner, built by PSA International, and funded ...
,
Changi Business Park The Changi Business Park (Abbreviation: CBP; ms, Taman Perniagaan Changi; Chinese: 樟宜商业园; ta, சாங்கி பிஸினஸ் பார்க்) is a business park located in Changi South, in the eastern part of Singapore. ...
and
Singapore Changi Airport Singapore Changi Airport, commonly known as Changi Airport , is a major civilian international airport that serves Singapore, and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. As one of the world's busiest airports by international passe ...
. Its neighbouring stations are
Expo MRT station Expo MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West line (EWL) and Downtown line (DTL) in the Tampines planning area, Singapore. The station lies between Changi City Point and the Singapore Expo, located alon ...
,
Bedok MRT station Bedok MRT station is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East West Line in Bedok, Singapore. Located at the town centre of Bedok, this station is built on a traffic island in the middle of New Upper Changi Road. It is one ...
and
Simei MRT station Simei MRT station is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East West line in Tampines planning area, Singapore, at the centre of Simei housing estate flanked by Simei Street 1 and Simei Street 3 next to Eastpoint Mall. This ...
. The bus stops next to Tanah Merah MRT station are usual pick-up and drop-off points for buses which take passengers to nearby places such as National Service Resort & Country Club and
Changi Naval Base Changi Naval Base (CNB), officially known as the RSS ''Singapura'' – Changi Naval Base, is a naval base of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Located about 1.5 kilometres east of Changi Air Base (East) and 3.5 kilometres east of Singapore C ...
. By sea, it is also home to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal with regular service to the Indonesian
Riau Islands The Riau Islands ( id, Kepulauan Riau) is a province of Indonesia. It comprises a total of 1,796 islands scattered between Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, and Borneo including the Riau Archipelago. Situated on one of the world's busiest shipping la ...
, as well as Sebana Cove and Tanjung Pengelih in
Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
.


Recreation

Being home to four recreational clubs, Tanah Merah offers a vast spectrum of recreational choices such as golfing, tennis, bowling, swimming and water sports amongst other activities. *Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) has one of the most expensive club membership rates in the country. This is justified by its plethora of amenities including golf courses, swimming pools, a gymnasium, a jackpot room, tennis, squash and basketball courts as well as lessons and courses on various interests such as dancing. *National Service Resort and Country Club (NSRCC), established to be a recreational spot for full-time National Servicemen, abuts the East Coast beach on the outskirts of Tanah Merah. *Laguna National Golf & Country Club, aside from being a golfing club, offers spa services and other recreational activities such as tennis. *Singapore Armed Forces Yacht Club (SAFYC), founded by a group of sailing enthusiasts in 1967, specialises in sea sports and activities. It offers water sports courses and an array of other amenities for
MICE A mouse ( : mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus' ...
and private functions. Residents of Tanah Merah also enjoy using the Bedok Park Connector – which is a route that connects Bedok Reservoir to East Coast Parkway. It spans several kilometres long, and runs along a canal/waterway. Residents often use the connector for daily walks or runs. Some also use it for roller blading, or cycling, whilst some even fish, although is not strictly legal. There are many dining options in Tanah Merah. This includes the restaurants located in East Village, hawker center in The Bedok Marketplace and restaurants in the shop houses along Jalan Pari Burong.


References

*Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2004), ''Toponymics – A Study of Singapore Street Names'', Eastern University Press, {{Singapore border crossings, state=autocollapse Places in Singapore Bedok