Patani History through the View of Long-term History: From 7 Huamuangs to the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 (1808-1909)

Abstract

Patani History through the View of Long-term History: From 7 Huamuangs to the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 (1808-1909) aims to explore a century of historical change in Patani, starting from Patani being divided into seven Huamuangs (Domains) in 1808 to the conclusion of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty in 1909. This article analyzes changes in political and economic and the roles of intellectual elites. This article is a long-term historical analysis focusing on the process leading to the Anglo-Siam Treaty of 1909. It is thus different from conventional historiography that often describes the Anglo Siam Treaty 1909 from the view of eventual history. As such the historical dynamics and the roles of various groups of people who played important role in Patani historical changes are underexplored. This study reveals that over a century before the Anglo-Siam Treaty of 1909, there were many dynamics that began with the division of Patani into seven Huamuangs in 1808. It was a major political change, when Patani once had only one sultan, had then been divided into 7 Huamuangs ruled by seven Chaomuang (governors). Then, in the 1830s, there was a discovery of tin in the inner Huamuangs which further instigated disunity between the seven Huamuangs of Patani the governors were in conflicts over the enormous benefits of tin. Even though that time emerged a new moral authority, led by the religious network that can support the Patani people, but they were not yet strong enough to move against Siamese imperialism. Finally, the Anglo-Siam Treaty of 1909 was agreed between Siam and British, in a state that the Patani political elites severely were weaken while the intellectual elites were still did not pose much authority and power.