Project a first step to revive Ubin's charm

Rebuilding of drinks stall a testbed for future kampung homes on the island

Remote video URL
Madam Lai Huat So and her daughter Ivy Choo outside Ah Ma's Drink Stall, which will be rebuilt by NUS architecture undergraduates. The stall is set to be rebuilt according to the artist's impression (top right) of the new design by NUS architecture s
Madam Lai Huat So and her daughter Ivy Choo outside Ah Ma's Drink Stall, which will be rebuilt by NUS architecture undergraduates. The stall is set to be rebuilt according to the artist's impression of the new design by NUS architecture student and project leader Ethan Chung. The picture at bottom right shows Madam Lai and her granddaughter at work as the original drinks stall was being built in 1995. PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI, ETHAN CHUNG, IVY CHOO
Madam Lai Huat So and her daughter Ivy Choo outside Ah Ma's Drink Stall, which will be rebuilt by NUS architecture undergraduates. The stall is set to be rebuilt according to the artist's impression (top right) of the new design by NUS architecture s
The stall is set to be rebuilt according to the artist's impression (above) of the new design by NUS architecture student and project leader Ethan Chung. PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI, ETHAN CHUNG, IVY CHOO
Madam Lai Huat So and her daughter Ivy Choo outside Ah Ma's Drink Stall, which will be rebuilt by NUS architecture undergraduates. The stall is set to be rebuilt according to the artist's impression (top right) of the new design by NUS architecture s
The picture shows Madam Lai and her granddaughter at work as the original drinks stall was being built in 1995. PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI, ETHAN CHUNG, IVY CHOO
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Every weekend, 80-year-old Pulau Ubin resident Lai Huat So mounts her motorbike and takes a short ride from her home to her kampung drinks stall.

There, she sells coconut juice and cold beverages to thirsty cyclists and other day trippers.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 29, 2018, with the headline Project a first step to revive Ubin's charm. Subscribe