Siam's foreign relations in the reign of King Mongkut, 1851-1868
Issued Date
Copyright Date
2024
Resource Type
Language
eng
Book
Book
File Type
application/pdf
No. of Pages/File Size
832
ISBN
9786163411327
Author(s)
Abstract
The International Studies Center (ISC) wishes to
express its deep appreciation to the family of the late
Thanpuying Neon Snidvongs, through her nephew Dr. Anond
Snidvongs, for permitting the ISC to publish for the first
time her doctoral thesis “The Development of Siamese Relations
with Britain and France in the Reign of Maha Mongkut, 1851-1868”,
under the title “Siam’s Foreign Relations in the Reign of King
Mongkut, 1851-1868”, as another volume in the ISC’s series of
books on diplomatic history. Following the practice with
theses that the ISC has published, editorial changes were
made only when necessary or prudent in order to keep the
book as close as possible to the original thesis submitted to
The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of
London, in 1960. The original spelling of personal and place
names have also been retained.
The conclusion of the Bowring Treaty with Great
Britain in 1855, at the beginning of the reign of King Mongkut
(Rama IV), ushered in the new era of Siam’s (as Thailand was
then known) relations with Western nations. Under the
Bowring and the “Bowring-type” Treaties, Siam relinquished
its autonomy in judicial and fiscal matters to these Western
countries. But what had begun as purely commercial relations
soon took on a more political nature. The change was due
mainly to the impetuous entrance of France into Indo-China,
following the establishment of a French colony at the mouth
of the Mekong River in 1862. Subsequent colonial expansion
caused further problems for Siam. Consequently, Siam’s
foreign policy was highlighted by its efforts to maintain
independence in the face of encroaching colonial powers.
In Thanpuying Neon’s work, Siam’s policies in dealing
with Britain and France were examined in detail, based on
Siamese, British and French archival materials, which had
not yet been analysed extensively by that time. Her meticulous
use of these archival materials gave us a tantalizing glimpse
into the negotiations and diplomatic relations between Siam
and the two major powers, the process as well as the characters
involved. Her work clearly showed how Siam was able to
adjust to the changing circumstances and how King Mongkut
contributed to the formation of Siam’s foreign policy.
The ISC believes that this work is crucial to the
understanding of modern Thai diplomacy and hopes that
readers will find it a useful source material on the subject of
Siam’s foreign relations.
Table of contents
Foreword 4--
Abstract 8--
Chapter I Introduction 10--
Chapter II Siam at the Accession of King Mongkut: Administration24--
Chapter III Siam at the Accession of King Mongkut: Tributary States 56--
Chapter IV Siam at the Accession of
King Mongkut: Relations with the West
106--
Chapter V King Mongkut and His Councillors 180--
Chapter VI The Bowring Treaty of 1855 and
the Opening of Siam
I. The Mission of Sir John Bowring,
March - May 1855
II. The Ratification Mission of
Harry Parkes, March - May 1856
III. Network of Siam’s Treaty Relations
with the West
Chapter VII Anglo-Siamese Relations 1851-1868 294--
Chapter VIII Franco-Siamese Relations 1856-1868 374--
Chapter IX The Montigny Mission to Cambodia
in October 1856
428--
Chapter X The French Protectorate of Cambodia,
August 1863
466--
Chapter XI The Secret Siamese-Cambodia Treaty of
December 1863 and the Franco-Siamese
Agreement of April 1865
550--
Chapter XII The Settlement of the Cambodian
Question and the Formation of Siam’s
Foreign Policy
I. The Franco-Siamese Treaty over
Cambodia: The Paris Treaty of
15 July 1867
II. King Mongkut’s Contribution to
the Formation of Siam’s Foreign
Policy
III. Conclusion
592--
593--
603--
719--
Notes 724--
Bibliography 801--