The Role of Chinese Traders on the Growth of Songkhla
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® THE ROLE OF CHINESE actually the Chinese quarter. Kinship was TRADERS ON THE fostered among the Chinese in the community through inter-marriage. Multi-ethnic GROWTH OF interactions between the Thais, the Chinese and SONGKHLA, 1775-1912 the Muslims were carried out through trading activities in which the Chinese acted as Srisu.porn Choungsakul intermediaries. During the same period, Songkhla town had become the center of government for the lower South: the Abstract commanding seat of Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat and other official centers. The article aims to study the growth of 1 Songkhla between 1775-1912, marked Thus the study shows the development and by two periods of change within growth of Songkhla proper between Songkhla proper. First, the Na 1896-1912, the crucial time in terms of Songkhla family played a major role in government administration and the economy the growth of Songkhla between 1775- when the Chinese traders played the significant 1896, and its development into an role in perpetuating the importance of important port city on the gulf coast. Songkhla as a vital city in the economic sphere Second, between 1896-1912, after the on the foundation laid down by the Na gradual decline of the role and Songkhla family. influence of the Na Songkhla family, Chinese traders ascended and took its Introduction place, enabling Songkhla to sustain its economic development and dynamism Formerly known as Singora among Western as a port city . people, Songkhla is a major natural port on the lower Gulf of Thailand and has long been an The study reveals the significant role of important center of trade on the eastern side of families of Chinese traders in the isthmus. Present-day Songkhla is situated mobilizing the economic activities of 947 kms. south of Bangkok along the railway Songkhla and enhancing its status as line, 480 kms. from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the leading city in the regional and 718 kms. from Singapore. Its eastern and economy. Songkhla served not only as northern areas comprise mostly coastal plains a center for the collection of goods adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand and Nakhon Si from the hinterland, but also as a Thammarat respectively. Those in the west and production site of export goods. The in the south comprise mountains alternating center of Songkhla's commerce was with plains and hills which climb up to Bantad located on both sides of Nakhon Nai and Sankarakiri Range, connecting to the areas and Nakhon Noak roa'ds which were in Patthalung, Setul, Y ala, Pattani, and Kedah and Perlis in Malaysia. Due to its strategic 1 Songkhla has two dimensions, first as the position, Songkhla province has retained its center of administration and second as the importance as the center of trade, center of trade in the lower South of Thailand. Downloaded from Brill.com09/24/2021 05:26:35AM via free access The Role ofChinese Traders on the Growth ofSongkhla, 1775-1912 administration and economy in the descendants3 of the family were entrusted by lower South ofThailand Bangkok to rule Songkhla in succession, covering a period of 126 years (1775-1901). Since its foundation in 1605 at 'Hua Under the political and economic Khaw Dang' by Dato Mogol, a Muslim administration of the Na Songkhla family, Persian leader who accepted Thai Songkhla steadily grew until the town of suzerainty, the significant role of Songkhla at Laem Son could no longer expand Songkhla as a maJor political to accommodate further growth. In 1842, the and economic base in Southern town was again moved across the strait to the Thailand has developed continuously. opposite tip at Bor Yang which has remained Economically, the Dato Mogol's liberal the site of Songkhla proper up to the present policy encouraged the growth of time (see map 1 showing the three sites of Songkhla as a major free port city in Songkhla). parallel to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Pattani. Evidence of Songkhla's As mentioned above, the development of prosperity in trade (which brought Songkhla at the present time is associated with about wealth and security) was its two groups of people: the Muslims and the proclamation of political independence Chinese who have contributed to the growth of from Ayutthaya, which lasted for 38 Songkhla at different periods of time. This years (1642-1680). Several times article aims to examine the role of the Chinese punitive troops were sent before on the growth of Songkhla. It will discuss Ayutthaya could completely conquer briefly the role of the Na Songkhla family on Songkhla in 1680. The battles devastated Hua Khaw Dang Luang Inthakireesombat (Yiang) was appointed as the governor of Songkhla he was granted the title of beyond recovery. After that, the town Phra Songkhla (see Prachum Phongsawadan, Vol 30, proper of Songkhla was moved to p. 189). But in 'Phonsawadan Muang Songkhla' written Laem Son area, under the by Phraya Wichiankiree (Chom) while he was Phraya administration first of Phatthalung and Suntharanurak, the governor of Songkhla around 1870, later of Nakhon Si Thamrnarat. As the it is stated that the title granted to Luang new Thai rulers were not keen on trade, Inthakireesombat (Yiang) was Luang Suwankirisombat subsequently the role of Songkhla as a (see Prachum Phongsawadan, Vol. 3, p. 39). The port city stopped for a certain period writer's opinion is that it is likely that Yiang was first until a Chinese named Yiang Hao (the granted the title of Luang Suwankireesombat as the founder of the Na Songkhla family) governor of Songkhla , then was later promoted to the was appointed by King Taksin to be title ofPhra Songkhla. 3 1. Phra Songkhla (Yiang) 1775-1784 2. Chao Phraya Luang Inthakireesombat (Yiang), a Intharakireesombat (Boonhui) 1784-1812 3. Phraya bird-nest revenue farmer, with the title Wisethpakdi (Tienjong) 1812-1817 4. Phraya 2 ofPhra Songkhla. Subsequently, eight Wichiankiree (Tienseng) 1817-1847 5. Chao Phraya Wichiankiree (Boonsung) 1847-1865 6. Chao Phraya 2 In 'Phongsawadan Muang Songkhla' written Wichiankiree (Men) 1865-1884 7. Phraya during the period of Chao PhrayaWichiankiree Wichiankiree (Chum) 1884-1888 8. Phraya (Boonsung) in 1845, it is stated that when Wichiankiree (Chom) 1888-1901. 45 Downloaded from Brill.com09/24/2021 05:26:35AM via free access MANUSYA: Journal ofHumanities Vo/.9 No.2 (2006) the growth of Songkhla between 1775- The Role of the Na Songkhla Family and 1896 to form a basis for understanding the Growth of Songkhla, 1775-1896 the growth of Songkhla in the succeeding period. The emphasis will From the time the Chinese first played a role in focus on the role of Chinese traders the development of Songkhla in 1775, the Na from 1896 when they influenced Songkhla family was the central actor up to Songkhla's internal trading activities 1896 when its influence gradually declined and up to i 912, when they began to change other Chinese traders ascended and took its their economic ventures from trading to place, enabling Songkhla to continue its rubber-plantation capitalists and tin economic development. miners in line with the world economy. S..r:, ..:'i l ... Map I: The Three Sites of Songkhla Proper Source: Office ofSongkhla Province (n.p.,l990) 46 Downloaded from Brill.com09/24/2021 05:26:35AM via free access The Role ofChinese Traders on the Growth ofSongkhla, 1775-1912 Between 1775-1896 the Na Songkhla principalities (Pattani, Saiburi, Yaring, family was the most influential local Nongchik, Ra-ngae, Ramanh and Yala). power and dominated the internal Furthermore, Songkhla's territory expanded to economic activities of Songkhla. It was cover Tambon Ban Phatong in 1811, Tambon backed by the central power through the Ban Karum, Tambon Ban Pha Koh in 1839 'farming system,' which was the state (Prachum Phongsawadan, vol. 3, p. 52-53, 74) apparatus in the local administration of and Tambon Ban Kamphaeng Phet in 1854 the distant provinces. As characterized by (Prachum Phongsawadan, vol. 30, p. 248) the system, a pattern of 'semi (Rataphum district at present). The annexation independent' economic practices of the of these territories was economically vital to Na Songkhla family was followed Songkhla as they are fertile lands which abound whereby the family was allowed to with natural resources and provide trading undertake economic activities within routes between Songkhla and Kedah. Songkhla city and those under its administrative authority. Nevertheless the The political and economic importance of Na Songkhla family was subjected to the Songkhla was further affirmed when the central political dominance of the central power power introduced the Thesaphiban system to and relied on the power of the latter to govern local provinces, and Songkhla was seek economic interest i.e. bird-nest chosen as the seat of the administrative farming, undertaking internal and external command of Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat trade, tin-mining and economic in 1851. The underlying reason was the exploitation both within Songkhla and economic potential of Songkhla with increasing other provinces under its administrative economic progress as perceived by the central authority. These economic activities in power and the amicable relationship between time enhanced lower-level economic its local elite, the Na Songkhla family, and the practices within Songkhla and Siamese court. The Na Songkhla fanily was a surrounding areas. Through the political new power group. They were Chinese shrewdness and economic undertakings of immigrants who were more favourably the Na Songkhla family, Songkhla responsive to the central power than the deep gradually developed into an important rooted indigenous elite of Nakhon Si port city on the gulf coast. Thammarat, the Na Nakhon. The latter fact was evident in the preparation for the reception of Aside from its economic significance as a King Rama IV on his visit to Songkhla in 1859 leading port city, Songkhla gained which impressed the King so much that he was political importance in the South as it had quoted as saying 'I have visited many towns been entrusted by the central power to but have never seen anyplace welcome me like govern the peripheral provinces in place this.