The Siamese ruled over the Malay States through the Chinese in Southern Thailand: The Analysis from Ayutthaya to Thonburi Era

Abstract

After the fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767 , it marked as a transition period for Siam. The collapsed of the Ayutthaya Kingdom caused the kingdom be divided into several independent states, the new Siam's leader must first reunite the kingdom in order to bring peace and security through military campaign by eliminating or limiting the local lords' power that emerged after political turbulence. Siamese leaders used the "Chinese" group as a key player to secure peace among the local lords, especially in Southern Thailand. The Chinese were able to gain power and stepped up to play a political role in the Malay peninsula under the patronage system of Siamese court. This article will analyze the relationship between Chinese community and Siam in securing the Northern Malay Peninsula after the fall of Ayutthaya.