Far East Kingdoms

Patani (Malays)
c.AD 1457 - 1902

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Modern Thailand occupies much of the Indochinese peninsula in South-East Asia. It is bordered by Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Burma. From the twelfth century onwards Thais expanded outwards, predominantly southwards into the Malay-Thai peninsula. State-building swiftly followed in Early Thailand to create a patchwork of kingdoms and minor principalities.

The sultanate of Patani (or Pattani) was located in the central region of the Malay peninsula, in what is now southern Thailand. This small city state was inhabited primarily by Malays but it was also heavily influenced by the Thais.

The Hikayat Patani, a chronicle of the Patani kingdom, indicates that the earliest predecessor state to Patani was Langasaka, founded as early as the second century AD. By the seventh century Langasaka was a Buddhist state with trade connections which reached as far as modern southern Vietnam.

Kota Mahligai was Patani's immediate predecessor, arising following Langasaka's decline in the eleventh century. It was Kota Mahligai as a vassal of Ayutthaya which was transformed into the independent sultanate of Patani around 1457.

The sultanate became tributary to Ayutthaya in 1563. From then on it usually remained a vassal of the Thais as long as the Thais were unified under strong kings. The Dutch made an appearance in 1601, when they were able to negotiate trade agreements with the state. Patani later engaged with the Portuguese as a foil against the Thais.

The Thais of the Bangkok-based kingdom of Siam occupied Patani in 1786 but allowed it to maintain a degree of self-governance under its own kings. This situation did not last however. In 1816 the kingdom of Siam divided Patani into the seven divisions of Jalar, Jering, Legeh, Nongcik, Patani, Rahman, and Sai.

Finally, in 1902, the seven districts were formally incorporated into Siam's kingdom as part of a larger internal reorganisation, along with a good many other subject former states and regions. The British recognised Siamese sovereignty in 1909.

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(Information by John De Cleene and the John De Cleene Archive, from A History of Thailand, Chris Baker & Pasuk Phongpaichit (2005), from Oxford Atlas of World History, Patrick K O’Brien (Gen Ed) (Oxford University Press, 1999), from Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopaedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Keat Gin Ooi (ABC-Clio, 2004), from Early Mainland Southeast Asia, C Higham (River Books Co, 2014), from Encyclopaedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations, Charles F W Higham (Facts on File, 2004), from Historical Atlas of the World, R R Palmer (Ed, Chicago, 1963), and from External Links: Ayutthaya Historical Research, and Hikayat Patani: The Story of Patani, A Teeuw & D K Wyatt (Koniklijk Instituut,1970, available online via the Internet Archive (PDF)), and The Hokkien Rayas of Songkhla, Pimpraphai Bisalputra & Jeffery Sng (Siam Society, PDF), and The Indianized States of Southeast Asia, George Coedès (Walter F Vella (Ed), Susan Brown Cowing (Trans), University of Hawaii Press, 1968, and available online via the Internet Archive), and Siamese Kedah - The Malay Monarchy (Geni), and Thailand (World Statesmen), and The Portuguese in Malacca (The Romance Of The Grand Tour).)

c.1457

In this year the Patani sultanate succeeds the state of Kota Mahligai. According to the Hikayat Patani (a chronicle of the Patani kingdom), Phaya Tunakpa, ruler of Kota Mahligai, founds the city of Patani on a site upon which he had previously spotted an albino mouse-deer. The city is established as his new capital and he becomes its first ruler.

c.1457 - ?

Founder. Formerly ruled Kota Mahligai. Converted to Islam.

?

Phaya Tunakpa converts from Buddhism to Islam, changes his name to Ismail Shah, and takes the title of sultan, seemingly at a date after the founding of the Patani state. Territory is quickly taken from the now-vanished state of Langasaka.

c.1500 - 1511

The sultanate of Patani is a vassal of Malacca during this period, but quickly resumes its independent status from 1511. It subsequent becomes relatively prosperous and powerful.

Today's Pattani province in southern Thailand is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant local communities as one of four provinces which comprise this far southern area with its diverse population of Thai Buddhists, Thai Muslims, and ethnic Malay Muslims

? - 1563

Son. Sultan. Died in battle.

1563

Patani becomes tributary to Ayutthaya and remains so as long as Ayutthaya and its successors have strong kings. During a Burmese invasion of Ayutthaya the king calls for the help of his powerful vassal, which Patani remains. Patani sends an army and a fleet of two hundred ships.

When Ayutthaya's army is defeated and withdraws, Patani switches sides and briefly occupies the city before the Ayutthayan army returns and expels Patani forces.

The sultan of Patani, Mudhaffar Syah, dies during the fighting to end a particularly strong spell for Patani. From this time until the 1590s the state still remains relatively independent of Ayutthaya however, as Ayutthaya is preoccupied with hostilities against its neighbours.

Ayutthaya took on influences from many external players, including Sukhothai and the Khmer, as well as China, Japan and - later - several European countries, with that influence being seen in Wat Chaiwatthanaram

1563 - 1572

Brother. Died.

1572

Manzur's instructions upon his death are that Madfar Shah's posthumous son, Patik Siam, should succeed him, thereby bypassing his own six children as well as Madfar's older son, Raja Bambang.

Turmoil follows the decision. Patik Siam is aged only nine when he ascends the throne so his aunt, Raja 'A'isha, the last surviving daughter of Isma'il Shah, becomes his regent.

Raja Bambang, son of a secondary wife of Madfar Shah, and Raja Bima, a son of Manzur Syah, team up to kill Patik Siam and Sultan Bahdur Syah, a son of Manzur Syah's consort. The killings leave the three daughters of Manzur Syah by his consort as the final legitimate heirs. Each succeeds in turn beginning in 1584.

Tai-speaking people (of which Thais form a sub-group) first arrived in the region of today's Thailand around 600 BC, but heavy inwards migration only took place between the eighth to tenth centuries AD

1572 - 1573

Nephew. Murdered.

1573 - 1584

Son of Manzur Syah. Murdered.

1584 - 1616

The 'Green Queen'.

1584

Under Ratu Hijau and the successive queens, male officials begin to run the state. Ratu Hijau is not permitted to marry but she is allowed whichever lovers she desires.

1601 - 1602

The Dutch visit Patani in 1601 and conclude a trade agreement. Dutch traders establish a factory to assist them in their work. In the following year the Thais plan to sabotage Dutch trading efforts but are foiled by a Dutch ruse which makes it appear that their forces are greater than they really are.

1616 - 1624

Sister. The 'Blue Queen'.

1624 - 1635

Sister. The 'Purple Queen'.

1629

Patani begins a period of extended revolt against Ayutthaya after the usurper Prasat Thong seizes the throne of the greater state. Patani is emboldened by its new friendship with Johor, Pahang, and the Portuguese in Malacca, all of whom are united in facing the threat of the growing power of Aceh. Patani even captures some southern Ayutthaya ports.

La Porta de Santiago in the 1900s, surviving in what was Portuguese Malacca (now Malaysia) survives thanks to Sir Stamford Raffles, who halted the destruction by British troops of the Portuguese city wall during a brief interregnum between 1795-1818 when Britain ruled Malacca for the first time

1634 - 1636

Patani repulses a huge Ayutthaya invasion force with assistance from the Portuguese of Malacca. Ayutthaya attempts a second invasion in 1635 but has to withdraw when the rice harvest fails and the soldiers are needed to plant a new crop. Patani abandons its rebellion in 1636 and resumes paying tribute to Ayutthaya.

1635 - 1688?

Daughter. The 'Yellow Queen'. End of inland dynasty.

1635 - 1688?

The real ruler during Raja Kuning's time on the throne is the bendahara (prime minister), Datuk Cerak Kin. The state now suffers from a series of powerful bendahara.

1646 - 1649

The three southern states of Kedah, Singora, and Patani revolt against the overlordship of Ayutthaya and are not restored to its control until 1649.

1670 - 1674

Patani has the advantage of better-equipped and trained soldiers in a war against Singora between 1670-1671. But, in 1673, when Patani again revolts against Ayutthaya's overlordship, Narai of Ayutthaya puts down the rebellion by 1674, eliminates the Patani elite, and captures Raja Mansur, taking him back to Ayutthaya.

Songkhla (Singora or Singgora) is a city which today lies in Songkhla province in southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia

1688 - 1690

Sultan. First of the Kelantan dynasty.

1690 - 1707

Queen. Revolted but surrendered.

1707 - 1710

Sultan for the first time.

1710 - 1719

Queen.

by 1718

European visitors note that Patani is in a state of decline. Traders have moved to places which offer greater security, and lawbreakers are rampant. The state experiences a great deal of political instability during the reign of the Kelantan dynasty.

1719 - 1723

Relationship uncertain.

1723 - 1724

Relationship uncertain.

1724 - 1726

Sultan for the second time.

1726 - 1729

Sultan. Last of Kelantan dynasty.

1729 - 1749

Relationship uncertain.

1749 - 1771

Relationship uncertain.

1771 - 1786

Sultan. Defeated.

1785 - 1786

The Burmese attack Siam in a six-pronged attack, instigating what the Thais call the Nine Armies War. While the Thais ultimately prevail, the Burmese have early successes, particularly in the south, prompting a series of insurrections. In Songkhla, Chim (Khun Rongrajmontri), son of former Governor Yom, seizes control.

The Siamese royal barge is shown here on the River Chao Phraya at a time at which Siam's king worked hard to avoid being subsumed within French Indochina

The overthrown rightful ruler of Songkhla, Boonhui, flees to Bangkok where he obtains reinforcements and is restored to his throne after an absence of four months. Rama I of Siam is generous to Chim in victory, uncertain which leader would best be able to advance his southern defensive strategy.

Boonhui's planted informants within Patani which, unlike the other southern states, is refusing Siamese suzerainty, aid in the conquest of the recalcitrant city in 1786. Rama nevertheless allows the Patani kings to continue to rule as vassals, although governors are installed in 1791.

1786 - 1791

Last independent / vassal ruler of Patani.

1791

Patani revolts, inspired by a Muslim cleric, Toh Sayat, who claims that his magic makes Patani's soldiers invulnerable. The Siamese prove him wrong, and now they install governors who are answerable to the ruler of Songkhla.

This photo shows a floating dock on the River Chao Phraya in Thailand's Bangkok around 1900, over a century after the city's founding by King Rama I

1791 - 1808

Siamese governor.

1808 - 1815

Siamese governor.

1815 - 1816

Siamese governor.

1816

After Patani rebels against Siam's governance, the Siamese divide Patani into the seven divisions of Jalar, Jering, Legeh, Nongcik, Patani, Rahman, and Sai. The overall state retains its subject ruler with the title of raja dan sultan di Pattani Darussalam.

1816 - 1832

Retained vassal governance of seven divisions.

1832 - 1842

Relationship uncertain.

1842 - 1856

Relationship uncertain.

1856 - 1881

Relationship uncertain.

1881 - 1890

Relationship uncertain.

1890 - 1899

Relationship uncertain.

1899 - 1902

Son. Deposed and imprisoned by Siam. Died 1933.

1902

During a period of internal consolidation and reorganisation the seven districts of the former sultanate of Patani are now incorporated fully into the kingdom of Siam, with Britain recognising that sovereignty in 1909.

King Chulalongkorn's funeral in 1910 was a state affair, documented in photographs and mourned by people wearing the seventeenth century costumes of Ayutthaya, Siam's former capital