Tan Sri Loke Wan Tho (; Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: Lu̍k Yun-thàu; 14 June 1915 - 20 June 1964) was a Malaysian business magnate, ornithologist, and photographer. He was the founder of Cathay Organisation in Singapore and Malaysia and the chairman of Cathay Organisation, which included Cathay Cinemas and Cathay-Keris Film Productions. He was associated with the Motion Picture and General Investments Limited (MP&GI) in Hong Kong.

Early life and education

Loke was born on 14 June, 1915, in Kuala Lumpur, the ninth child of Loke Yew, an ethnic Chinese businessman of Cantonese descent, and his fourth wife Loke Cheng Kim, who was of mixed Hokkien-Hakka ancestry.

When Loke was 2 years old, Loke Yew died from malaria. Loke had his early education by a governess and then at age 12, studied at the Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, a school established by the British for Chinese boys, of which his father was one of the founders.

In 1929, because of his poor health, Loke, his mother moved the family to Montreux, Switzerland where Loke studied at Chillon College. They divorced in 1962.

In 1942, after arriving in Bombay from evacuating from Indonesia, Loke was introduced to the Indian ornithologist Salim Ali, who eventually became a lifelong friend and a frequent companion on many major expeditions. Loke credited Salim with inspiring his passion and wrote in his book A Company of Birds: "Under the guidance of an expert (Salim Ali) my interest in birds which hitherto had been but of a dilettante kind blossomed into a deeper passion."

Death

On 20 June 1964, Loke and his wife were killed in the crash of Civil Air Transport Flight 106, along with his chief executives, leaving Taichung after attending the 11th Asian Film Festival.

Legacy

In 2008, Bombay Natural History Society, published the book Loke Wan Tho's Birds. A large collection of his bird photographs is kept in the library of the Bombay Natural History Society at Mumbai.

On 15 November 1996, the Selegie Arts Centre was opened with an art gallery, Loke Wan Tho Gallery, dedicated to Loke.

Honours

Honour of Malaya

  • 50px Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) – Tan Sri (1961)

Memorials

thumb|right|Loke Wan Tho memorial, Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong

  • Loke Wan Tho Photography Exhibit is housed on 3rd floor of Singapore Photography Society
  • Loke Wan Tho Library in Singapore Jurong Bird Park
  • Wan Tho Avenue in Potong Pasir, Singapore
  • Loke Wan Tho Star, No. 38 Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong
  • Museum open to the public housed on 2nd floor of The Cathay

Publications

  • A Company of Birds. Michael Joseph, London 1959
  • Angkor, by Malcolm MacDonald and Loke Wan Tho, Jonathan Cape, London, 1958,59,60.
  • Text by Malcolm MacDonald, with chapters including "The History of Khmers"。"The Ruins of Khmers"。 111 Black and White Plates of Angkor Wat, taken by Loke Wan Tho and M.MacDonald。

References

  • Black Naped Tern, photograph by Loke Wan Tho
  • Cinema Magnate, Ornithologist, Philanthropist
  • Cathay Organisation
  • Victoria Institution
  • Loke Wan Tho map collection at the National Library of Australia