The 'Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909' or 'Bangkok Treaty of 1909' was a
treaty between the
United Kingdom and
Thailand signed on
March 101909 in
Bangkok.
[1] The agreement, in which the
Malays were not represented, effectively dissected the northern
Malay states into two parts. The area around modern
Pattani,
Narathiwat (Menara),
Songkhla (Singgora),
Satun (Setul) and
Yala (Jala) remained under
Thai control, while Thailand relinquished its claims to
sovereignty over
Kedah,
Kelantan,
Perlis, and
Terengganu which remained within the British sphere of influence as protectorates. Originally, Setul and Perlis were part of Kedah. These four states, along with
Johor later became known as the
Unfederated Malay States.
The British logic for sanctioning the continued Thai occupation of the remaining northern half of the Malaya was the perceived value of Thailand as a friendly buffer against the French in
Indochina.
Previously in
1826, both signees of the 1909 treaty agreed to the
Burney Treaty. The Burney Treaty stated that Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu were Thai provinces while Penang and Province Wellesly belonged to the British while Thailand would not interfere with British trade in Kelantan and Terengganu.
This agreement has had a long lasting effect on both Thailand and Federation of
Malaysia. The border between them was mainly drawn by this treaty. Moreover, to some extent,
Pattani separatist movement is due to Pattani's refusal to recognize Thai domination over it and ultimately the deal made between the United Kingdom and Thailand.
Notes
1. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Office of the Geographer, "International Boundary Study: Malaysia - Thailand Boundary," No. 57, 15 November 1965.