
Note: The parks are closed permanently. This website is for documentation and educational purposes only.
Disclaimer: We do not own any information found on this site. All credits to their original owners.
T H R E E
"Worlds"
The singapore legacy.
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H A P P Y W O R L D
DECLINE
After the war, Happy World would resume its role as a venue that provides recreational and entertainment to Singaporeans and foreigners alike. For the next two decades, Happy World played a huge role in Singapore’s entertainment arena. This included being the site of Eng Wah’s first cinema theatre, Victory, in 1945 [1]. It would play a vital role in hosting important events. This included hosting the first Engineering and Trade exhibition in 1948 [2], and the introduction of a new kind of air conditioning - “The Vent-Axia.” [3] It would proceed to host many trade fairs in its subsequent years. Aside from trade fairs, Happy World was known to host sporting events. This included the 1952 Thomas Cup Badminton Tournament [4] and Sepak Takraw in 1978 [5] (Its name have changed to Gay World by then). Its ability to accommodate different types of entertainment enabled it to last the longest among the three “Worlds.”
Yet, despite its varying success, it was not to last. Its inability to maintain itself as a popular destination for entertainment was a result of these factors:

“Name change from Happy World to Gay World Amusement Park,” From Amusement Park to Cement Park, accessed November 11, 2020, https://timesofmylife.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/from-amusement-park-to-cement-park/
1. Prone to fire outbreaks
Happy World was notorious for being prone to outbreak of fire. Since its first mysterious outbreak of fire in 1962 [6] that caused an estimated damage of $80,000 and destroyed ten shops and a cinema, many such incidents would persist. This included two more outbreaks of fire in 1962 alone. [7] [8] Intervals of outbreaks of fire would continue even when the Singapore government took over Gay World (renamed in 1966) in 1973 [9]. This included the 1976 fire that ravaged twenty shops [10] and destroyed $500,000 worth of goods [11]. This would persist in 1977 [12] and 1988 [13]. With the park often faced the threat of fire issue, it was unsurprising that many visitors would not visit the park, fearing for their safety. Moreover, tenants would be less willing to set up shops in the park, fearing that the frequent fire outbreaks will destroy their goods. This combination would play a role in contributing to the downfall of Gay World.

"About 20 shops were gutted and the Gay World Stadium partly damaged when a fire swept through a large section of the amusement park in Geylang," National Archives Singapore, accessed November 11, 2020, https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/b4bffaa1-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad.

"About 20 shops were gutted and the Gay World Stadium partly damaged when a fire swept through a large section of the amusement park in Geylang," National Archives Singapore, accessed November 11, 2020, https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/b4bffaa1-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad.
2. Technology
With the improvement of technology, new forms of entertainment would arise and make Happy/Gay World obsolete. This includes the widespread use of radios in the late 1950s, culminating in the establishment of Radio Singapura in January 1959 [14] since it was more affordable. Singapore radios would not only broadcast news in different languages and dialect in its early years [15], it would later broadcast music [16] to keep listeners entertained. This would probably have the effect of reducing crowds in Happy/Gay World since they need not travel all the way to entertainment outlets such as the cabaret to listen to music.
The introduction of televisions in the 1960s would also be the turning point for the entertainment industry when Singapore’s first television broadcasting station, Television Singapura, was officially broadcasted in February 1963 [17]. Given that television channels could now provide entertainment such as cartoons and dramas, people no longer find the need to travel to Happy/Gay World to keep themselves entertained.

“Residents Watching Television in Tanglin Community Centre During Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s Tour of Tanglin Constituency,” National Archives Singapore, accessed November 14, 2020. https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/bd721bab-1161-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad.
3. Competition

“Other Joy Rides in Wonderland Park, Singapore,” From From Ferris Wheel Joyride to Singapore Flyer, accessed November 11, 2020, https://blogtoexpress.blogspot.com/2012/09/from-ferris-wheel-joyride-to-singapore.html.

“Other Joy Rides in Wonderland Park, Singapore,” From From Ferris Wheel Joyride to Singapore Flyer, accessed November 11, 2020, https://blogtoexpress.blogspot.com/2012/09/from-ferris-wheel-joyride-to-singapore.html.
The introduction of Wonderland Amusement Park in 1969 within its vicinity [18] probably created competition between Gay World and Wonderland Amusement Park. Given that Wonderland was Singapore’s first full-scale amusement park [19], it would introduce many modern rides such as roller-coasters, spinning Ovaltine cups, kiddie trains and Merry-go-round planes. With its rides seemingly more ‘superior’ than Gay World, many Singapore would flock there to enjoy the entertainment, putting a strain to Gay World [20]. Perhaps, to compete with Wonderland’s popularity, Gay World attempted to make its entrance fee free in 1987 [21] in a bid to increase visitorship. By the time Wonderland Amusement Park was forced to make way for a car park to serve the indoor stadium [22], Gay World was arguably already in a state of decline.

“Other Joy Rides in Wonderland Park, Singapore,” From From Ferris Wheel Joyride to Singapore Flyer, accessed November 11, 2020, https://blogtoexpress.blogspot.com/2012/09/from-ferris-wheel-joyride-to-singapore.html.
Moreover, the introduction of shopping malls [23] such as Tangs [24]. and Isetan [25] in the 70s’ and 80’s provided better forms of entertainment as compared to Gay World. That is because shopping centres allow one to “shop, eat, market and entertain your kids with coin-operated amusement machines, all at the same time.”[26] As a result, many families no longer visited Gay World, possibly because it does not offer the type of entertainment that fulfils their ‘modern’ needs.

“C.K. Tang Department Store at Orchard Road Singapore,” National Archives Singapore, accessed November 11, 2020, https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/b86f3e27-1161-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad.
4. Loss of relevance
The construction and completion of the World Trade Centre (now Harbourfront Centre) in 1978 [27] saw trade fairs now being held at this new venue. This included the Singapore Fair of 1978 being held at this new venue [28], with many bookings for its exhibition hall up to 1980 at that time [29]. With the introduction of a new platform to host trade fairs, Gay World could not attract any potential crowd since there was hardly any new exciting events that could awe the public.
“World Trade Centre, 1980s,” National Library Board, accessed November 11, 2020,
https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/printheritage/image.aspx?id=69189e6b-9cef-4697-9122-a3f3f5249d82.
Likewise, Geylang Indoor Stadium role, which is situated in Gay World Amusement Park, lost its purpose as the largest indoor stadium to hold sporting events when the Singapore Indoor Stadium was built in 1989 [30]. Its rapidly ageing venue was deemed antiquated with its rundown surroundings and appearance, and lack of proper ancillary facilities was cited for its replacement [31]. With sporting events now mostly held at the newly constructed Singapore Indoor Stadium, Geylang Indoor Stadium no longer could attract crowds who would visit Gay World amusement park because of the exciting sporting events that were held there previously.

Eventual demolition
Despite the government take over of Happy World’s management in 1973 [32], partly because it needed to prepare the site for the Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) games [33], the above factors made Gay World hard to survive. While there were attempts to attract visitors, such as free admission on 1 January 1987 and movie starring Hong Kong actors like Chow Yuen Fatt and Andy Lau [34], it failed to improve the state of Gay World. As a result, by the year 2000, the land office, owner of the 3.2-hectare site ordered tenants of Gay World to vacate the premise by 31 March that year [35]. Three tenants, Tai Thong Restaurant, New Happy Cinema and Datoh Rajah Theatre and Cabaret – stayed on beyond the deadline on temporary leases [36]. Gay World would officially cease to exist in 2001 when its indoor stadium, Gay World Indoor Stadium, was demolished in 2001 [37].

“The last days of Gay World,” From Amusement Park to Cement Park, accessed November 11, 2020, https://timesofmylife.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/from-amusement-park-to-cement-park/.
Current state

“View of the empty plot of land where Gay world was once situated,” Wikipedia, accessed November 11, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_World_Amusement_Park#/media/File:Gay_World_Amusement_Park.jpg.
The site of the once-popular entertainment venue was zoned for residential development [38]. Two concrete making plants briefly used the former site as a result of the Nicoll Highway Collapse [39]. Other than that, it now stood as barren land, with the new Singapore Sports Hub in sight. One might wonder, why would the government not preserve the former site, which holds a form of nostalgia for those who had enjoyed the amusement park during its heyday.
[1] “The cinema man,” The Straits Times, November 3, 2020, 71, accessed October 30, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20071103-1.2.89.3.5.
[2] “Singapore’s First Combined Fair,” Malaya Tribune, July 31, 1948, 1, accessed October 22, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19480731-1.2.80.
[3] “Something New In Air-Conditioning,” Malaya Tribune, July 31, 1948, 3, accessed October 22, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19480731-1.2.91.
[4] “Happy World is Chosen,” The Singapore Free Press, February 8, 1952, 7, accessed October 20, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19520208-1.2.101.
[5] Sepak Takraw : Singapore vs Malaysia, Gay World Stadium, 23.12.78, 2:30pm & 7:30pm. Photograph. National Archives of Singapore, 1978. Singapore Sports Council. https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/posters/record-details/30df7dc5-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad.
[6] “Cinema, 10 Shops Gutted In Park,” The Straits Times, March 22, 1962, 10, accessed October 20, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19620322-1.2.61.
[7] “Fire razes stores, part of cabaret,” The Straits Times, May 31, 1962, 18, accessed October 20, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19620531-1.2.136.
[8] “Fire at beer garden,” The Straits Times, November 2, 1962, 11, accessed October 20, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19621102-1.2.90.
[9] “Govt takes over Gay World,” The Straits Times, July 25, 1973, 1, accessed October 21, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19730725-1.2.7.
[10] “20 shops gutted in Gay World Fire,” The Straits Times, November 13, 1976, 1, accessed October 20, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19761113-1.2.9.
[11] “$500,000 goods lost in fire at amusement park,” The Straits Times, November 14, 1976, 7, accessed October 20, 2020,
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19761114-1.2.37.
[12] “Gay World fire,” Business Times, June 18, 1977, 1, accessed October 20, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19770618-1.2.2.2.
[13] “Fire at Gay World razes 20 shops,” The Straits Times, June 27, 1988, 32, accessed October 20, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19880627-1.2.54.
[14] Vidya Murthy and Jermaine Huang, “Celebrating Radio: Stories from the Past,” Roots, accessed November 14, 2020,
https://www.roots.gov.sg/learn/stories/celebrating-radio-stories-from-the-past/story.
[15] Christopher Toh, “Some radio milestones through the decades,” Today, April 20, 2016, accessed November 14, 2020, https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/some-radio-milestones-through-decades.
[16] Toh, “Some radio milestones through the decades.”
[17] “Raja to launch Singapore TV,” The Straits Times, February 13, 1963, 1, accessed November 6, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19630213-1.2.17.
[18] “Park opening,” The Straits Times, August 19, 1969, 7, accessed October 22, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19690819-1.2.51.
[19] “That $5M Funfair Ready Ahead Of Schedule,” The Straits Times, May 20, 1969, accessed October 22, 2020, 4, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19690520-1.2.36.
[20] “Oh, so many worlds apart!” 32.
[21] “Pleasure domes of the past,” The Straits Times, July 8, 1987, 2, accessed October 22, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19870708-1.2.64.2.1.
[22] “Reprieve for Wonderland,” The Straits Times, February 23, 1988, 12, accessed October 23, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19880223-1.2.24.26.4.
[23] “Oh, so many worlds apart!” New Nation, July 13, 1976, 32, accessed October 21, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19760713-1.2.75.
[24] Esther Tay, Interview by Dr Sian Eira Jay, July 23, 2008, Accession No. 003333. Reel No.1/3, Page 13-14, Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore, accessed October 15, 2020,
[25] “About Us,” Isetan Singapore, accessed October 22, 2020, https://www.isetan.com.sg/pages/about-us/.
[26] “Oh, so many worlds apart!” 32.
[27] “Trade Centre gets booking up to 1980,” New Nation, March 20, 1978, 4, accessed October 23, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19780320-1.2.19.
[28] “Singapore Fair’ 78 Opens On Friday,” The Straits Times, October 2, 1978, 7, accessed October 23, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19781002-1.2.37.
[29] “Trade Centre gets booking up to 1980,” 4.
[30] “Indoor stadium idea mooted 18 years ago,” The Straits Times, December 31, 1989, 12, accessed October 23, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19891231-1.2.69.15.1.3.1.
[31] Koh Jia Jie, “Singapore Indoor Stadium,” Singapore Infopedia, accessed October 23, 2020,
https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1596_2009-10-30.html.
[32] “Govt takes over Gay World,” 1.
[33] “Gay World Stadium gets $22,000 face-lift for Seap basketball matches,” The Straits Times, July 29, 1973, 6, accessed October 23, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19730729-1.2.35.
[34] “Pleasure domes of the past,” 2.
[35] Marsita Omar and Nor-Afidah Abd Rahman, “Gay World (Happy World),” Singapore Infopedia, accessed October 20, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1044_2006-06-01.html.
[36] “Gay World (Happy World).”
[37] “Business as usual for Gay World tenants,” The Straits Times, July 18, 2000, 40, accessed October 23, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20000718-1.2.49.7.
[38] “From Amusement Park To Cement Park,” Times Of My Life, accessed October 23, 2020, https://timesofmylife.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/from-amusement-park-to-cement-park/.
[39] "From Amusement Park To Cement Park."