A real blessing in disguise – The Bowring Treaty of 1855

[snoop1130]

 

After the 1688 Siamese Revolution, most foreigners were expelled from the kingdom; foreign influence dropped to minimal levels. That situation remained for almost 140 years. However, Western nations, especially the U.K. and the U.S., started looking for new markets for their exports. These countries showed in Bangkok in the late 1810s and early 1820s eager to resume trade and diplomatic relations. However, the Thais were wary since they saw the surrounding nations were being absorbed into European colonial empires: India, Burma, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, China seaports, the Philippines and Singapore. They did not wish to meet the same fate, so they initially resisted these commercial and diplomatic overtures and planned to move slowly. But foreign nations were determined to establish relations so the Thais knew it would only be a matter of time before they had to work out some agreements.

 

The Portuguese were the first to set up an embassy in 1820. The first agreement between the U.K and Thailand called Burney Treaty signed in 1826, but this was not about commerce. Thailand and the U.S. signed a treaty in 1833. It was the first treaty the U.S. signed with an Asian nation. but nothing much came out of it. Only a few European and other foreign traders appeared, but most of the Westerners who arrived during this time were Christian missionaries who doubled as teachers and doctors, both very prestigious professions in the eyes of the Thais. However, trade had always continued with China. Chinese junks of all sizes plied the waters carrying mainly rice and other local commodities to home and all manner of goods to Thailand including porcelain wares, teas, cutlery, silks and thousands of other little trinkets and useful objects. Trade between Thailand and the Dutch East Indies plus Singapore consisted of mainly  European goods and textiles.

 

However, everything dramatically changed overnight when Sir John Bowring, the British Governor of Hong Kong, arrived in Bangkok. He negotiated a trade agreement with King Mongkut (King Rama IV) that was signed in April 1855. In short, the treaty was similar to the forced treaty signed between the U.K. and China, namely one that was unequal or heavily skewered toward the British. Although the agreement liberalised foreign trade between the two nations, the Thais were pressured to accept and not allowed to negotiate under the veiled threat of armed force.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/travel-and-leisure/a-real-blessing-in-disguise-the-bowring-treaty-of-1855/

 

-- © Copyright Expat Life in Thailand 2021-03-26
 

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[TheFishman1]

And your point is TIT

[Old Croc]

If you read the link this agreement opened up the country to world trade and kick started Thailand's booming import/export economy. It had a dramatic effect on taxes, monopolies, entry of foreigners, and many aspects of life in what was a closed country. 

The point is it provides historical background knowledge of the place most of us here live in.