Far East Kingdoms

Singora / Songkhla (Thais)
c.AD 1605 - 1901

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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.

Singora was a Thai state in the far south of the modern country, the origin of today's Songkhla. Human habitation here can be traced as far back as 4000 BC, with late Neolithic foragers settling in the vicinity of Lake Songkhla as far back as 1000 BC.

The state of Singora originated in the second century AD as part of the Langasaka kingdom. At that time it formed the northern part of that kingdom. Archaeological evidence has revealed a major urban area and centre of trade with Guangzhou in China during the period between the tenth and fourteenth centuries. The short Sanskrit name for the city which existed at that point was Singhapura (the long-form name has been lost), not to be confused with the city state of Singapura, a predecessor of Singapore.

A sultanate was founded here about 1605 in the form of Singora (Singgora), meaning 'city of lions'. The name was altered through several centuries of use to become today's Songkhla. This new sultanate's prosperity would come from its decision to establish a tax-free port. It attracted trade from the Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and various Islamic states. A vassal of Ayutthaya, the sultanate declared its independence in 1642. Ayutthaya retaliated by destroying it in 1680, although it was later re-established as a vassal of Siam.

For a brief time Songkhla was tributary to Nakhon Si Thammarat until the Na Songkla family established hereditary semi-autonomous rule in 1777. The family's ruling line would survive in office until the post was abolished in 1901. Prior to that, in 1778, the Thai Thonburi kingdom brought much of modern Thailand under direct rule.

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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 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 Forced Resettlement Campaigns in Northern Thailand During the Early Bangkok Period, Volker Grabowsky (Oriens Extremus, 1994, available via JSTOR), and The Hokkien Rayas of Songkhla, Pimpraphai Bisalputra & Jeffery Sng (The Siam Society, 2020, 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 Songkhla National Museum, and Thailand (World Statesmen), and Unesco.org, and Viva Hotel.)

c. 1605 - 1620

Persian founder from Java. Shia Muslim. Died.

c.1605 - 1642

In this period, and presumably close to 1605, the sultanate of Singora is founded as a vassal of Ayutthaya. It remains a vassal until the sultan declares independence in 1642 after some years of building up the state's finances and strength.

1620 - 1668

Son and sultan. Died.

1646 - 1648

Ayutthaya's three southern states of Kedah, Singora, and Patani revolt against their state of vassalage and are not restored to Ayutthaya's control until 1649. At this time Singora is a flourishing trade port.

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

1668 - 1680

Son. Retained independence until 1680.

1670 - 1674

Diagreement breaks out with Patani, with that state having the advantage of better-equipped and trained soldiers. War lasts between 1670-1671 but, in 1673, when Patani again revolts against Ayutthaya's overlordship, Narai of Ayutthaya puts down the rebellion (in 1674), eliminates the Patani elite, and captures Raja Mansur.

1680

Ayutthaya retaliates following Songhkla having declared its independence. The port city is now destroyed. The aftermath is retained in the city's archaeological record even after the city is re-established at an unknown date.

1750

Songkhla is re-established and is known to have Siamese governors in place to hold various titles in sequence. A precise date is unavailable for the city's restoration, but it certainly exists and is thriving again by 1750.

Hao Yiang, patriarch of the Wu clan, arrives with his wives in Songkhla having made the long journey from China. He begins to establish his family and they prosper. In time the family collects the localised name of Na Songkhla.

While the Mac of Dai Viet were refusing to give up dreams of ruling a united Viet country, their Ming overlords were being replaced by the intruding Manchu

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Governor sent from Nakhon Si Thammarat.

?

When Taksin of the Thonburi kingdom leads his Siamese resurgence, he conquers Nakhon Si Thammarat as part of that process. Governor Vithian flees to Patani, so Hao Yiang is able to pay Taksin for trading rights and for authority over a couple of Songkhla islands.

Hao Yiang also receives the title 'Luang Inthakhiri' while Taksin appoints Yom as the state's governor (phra Songkhla). Not long after that, the king raises the 'Luang Inthkhiri' to the position of governor (in 1775) in recognition of his effectiveness as a tax farmer.

? - 1775

Governor, appointed by Taksin of Thonburi.

1775 - 1784

Governor (praya Songkhla). Removed with rise of Chakris.

1784 - 1785

Son. Governor (praya pichaikiri). Deposed and fled.

1785

The Burmese strike Siam with 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. These victories prompt a series of insurrections. Chim (Khun Rongrajmontri), the son of former governor Yom, seizes Songkhla.

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

1785

Son of Yom. Seized city for 4 months.

1785

Governor Boonhui flees to Bangkok where he obtains reinforcements and is restored to his throne after just a four month absence. Rama I of Siam is generous in victory to Chim, uncertain which leader would best be able to advance his southern defensive strategy.

1785 - 1811

Restored as governor (praya pichaikiri).

1786

Boonhui's planted informants within a Patani which has continued to refuse Siamese suzerainty - even after all of its neighbours have given in - now help Rama I of Siam conquer this recalcitrant city. Rama nevertheless allows the Patani kings to continue to rule as vassals (until 1791).

1791

Following a revolt in Patani, Rama I gives Boonhui authority over that state as well as the Malayan sultanate of Terengganu, which is presently also under Siamese rule.

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

1811 - 1817

Nephew. Governor (phraya wisetphakdi). An able general.

1817 - 1847

Brother. Governor (praya soonthorn nurak). Tiger hunter.

1827 - 1828

Thienseng overcomes a prickly relationship with his overlords in Bangkok by providing substantial support to the Siamese army as it repels a Laos Vientiane invasion and turns the tables by conquering that state.

1847 - 1865

Cousin. Governor (phraya wichian kiri).

1865 - 1884

Son of Thienseng. Governor (phraya wichian kiri).

1884 - 1888

Son of Boonsung. Governor (phraya wichian kiri).

1888 - 1901

Grandson of Men. Governor (phraya wichian kiri). Retired.

1894 - 1896

Commander in Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, & Phatthalung.

1894 - 1901

Bangkok corrects the recent corruption of the Wu clan which has been ruling Songkhla since 1775 by appointing a governor in 1894 to take control of the state's administration. Chom remains nominal ruler.

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

Songkhla is added to Monthon-Nakhon Si Thammarat in 1896 but, in 1901, the royal line is abolished. Songkhla is detached from Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat in 1933 to become a province in its own right and today remains part of a fully unified Thailand.