The bishop and the French connection

(BRIEF CAPTION): PIC FOR WONG CHUN WAI.Bishop street general view. /CHAN BOON KAI/THE STAR/(7th AUG 2013)

BISHOP Street is today regarded as just another link road leading to busy Beach Street, which is part of the state’s vibrant financial and commercial district.

But unknown to many Penangites, there is a French connection here. The road is actually named in honour of Bishop Garnault, who escaped from Siam together with his congregation to escape religious persecution in southern Thailand in 1781.