Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909

The Anglo - Siamese Treaty of 1909, also known as the Treaty of Bangkok ( 1909) or Bangkok Agreement (1909 ), is a treaty between Great Britain and Siam, which under Thai administration northern Malay states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu to the British Empire joined.

History

The Burney Treaty, a treaty of amity and commerce between Siam and Great Britain was preceded by the treaty of 1826. Therein Britain had confirmed the Siamese sovereignty over the northern Malay states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu. At the same time guaranteed Siam British rule in Penang and their right to undisturbed trade in Kelantan and Terengganu.

The new Treaty of 1909 between Siam and Britain put the Burney Treaty repealed and made Britain the sovereign over the four Malay States. In addition, significant changes in the jurisdiction of the British nationals living in Siam were made.

The contract was signed on 10 March 1909 by the Foreign Ministers of Siam and Great Britain, and ratified on July 9, 1909 in London and Bangkok. Were signatories to the Treaty

  • Ralph Paget, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister for plénipotentiaire the British king and
  • Prince Devawongse Varoprakar, Foreign Minister of Siam.

That same month, were the High Commissioner Federated Malay States, Sir John Anderson, published in the affected areas corresponding proclamations.

Content of the contract

The contract is divided into eight articles and four annexes.

  • In Article I, Siam transfers all sovereign rights, protection, management and control of their possessions in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis and associated islands to Britain. According to Article II of this transfer is to take place within 30 days after the ratification of the Treaty.
  • Article III provides that within 6 months after the ratification specify the details of the contract set out in Annex 1 of demarcation between the four States and Siam an Anglo- Siamese Commission. Siamese who live by the boundaries now on British soil, can decide if they want to keep their Thai nationality within this period. Concessions granted to individuals or corporations, the Thai government, recognized by the British government.
  • In Article IV of the Government of the Federated Malay States assumes any liabilities and obligations of the Siamese Government in the four Malay States.
  • In Article V of the jurisdiction of the Siamese International Tribunals is extended to British citizens. The details are set out in a separate Annex 2 to the Treaty. Furthermore, it is determined that this system should only apply until the entry into force of a Siamese own jurisdiction. After that British nationals are subject to the Thai criminal, civil or commercial law.
  • Article VI provides Brits who are within Siam legally with the Siamese same. This also applies to ownership and tax matters. The Brits are living in Siam, however, exempt from any military service and exempt from forced loans and military tribute.
  • Article VII provides that all other contracts, agreements and arrangements between Britain and Siam remain in force.
  • Article VIII provides that the contract shall be ratified no later than four months after the signing.
  • Appendix 1 ( Boundary Protocol Annexed to the treaty dated March 10, 1909) contains a detailed description of the future boundary curve between Siam and the four separate states.
  • Annex 2 ( Protocol Concerning the jurisdiction applicable in the Kingdom of Siam to British subjects, and the Annexed to the treaty dated March 10, 1909) contains provisions on jurisdiction over British subjects.
  • Appendix 3 contains an agreement that prohibits Thailand with regard to the military interests of Great Britain to cede certain parts of its territory to foreign governments as well as to allow them in these areas the maintenance of ports or shipyards or the operation of military Bekohlungsstationen. The construction of small coal depots to maintain the navigation operation is, however, agreed.
  • Annex 4 contains further arrangements concerning jurisdiction and the promise that certain provisions in due time a critical evaluation to be subjected.

Construction of the Thai State Railway

Astute observers of the negotiations could not fail to notice that the Siamese assignment of more than 100,000 km ² land had to stand in an appropriate consideration of the British. Although the official treaty contained no indication was leaked to the press that the British established a loan of four million pounds for the construction of the south line of the Siamese State Railway available. This agreement has been "hidden" in an agreement between the Federated Malay States and the Siamese Railway Authority, which was signed together with the Anglo - Siamese Treaty on 10 March 1909.

Consequences of the Treaty

Through the contract, the northern Malay states were divided into two parts. The present territory of the provinces of Pattani ( ڤتنا ( Patani ) ), Narathiwat ( منارة ( Menara) ), Songkhla ( سيڠڬورا ( Singgora ) ), Satun ( مقيم ستل ( Mukim Setul ) ) and Yala ( جال ( Jala ) ) remained under Thai rule while the British sphere of influence to Kedah ( ไทรบุรี ( Saiburi ) ), Kelantan ( กลันตัน ( Kalantan ) ), Perlis ( ปะลิส ( Palit ) ) and Terengganu ( ตรัง กา นู ( Trang canoe) ) has been extended. Together with Johor were these four States later, the " Unfederated Malay States ".

Satun and Perlis were part of the Malay Sultanate of Kedah, but only Satun with a mixed population of Thai and Malay remained in Thailand. Patani, Narathiwat, Yala and Songkhla to the south of it were originally part of the Thai had been tributary to the Malay Sultanate of Patani, the long time.

For the UK, the contract meant an expansion of the British Empire to 103.6 thousand km ². At the same time, the acquisition of the 300 -kilometer coastline closed the last gap in the reaching from the Persian Gulf to Singapore supremacy of the British.

The present border between Thailand and the Malaysian Federation is mainly due to the Anglo - Siamese Treaty of 1909. The latent in the border regions dissatisfaction with the contract is one of the reasons that led from 2004 in the regions of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to the conflict in southern Thailand.

65252
de