Early Rattanakosin period in Thailand coincided wth the rule of Qing Dynasty in China. At the time, Chinese were forbidden from migrating abroad for fead that they might group together to resist the ruling Qing Dynasty of Manchu. However, the law proved no hindrance to migration, particularly from the heavily populated south of the country where inadequate cultivable land and a series of natural disasters prevailed, causing famine and other living shortages. A large number of Chinese from this area came to Thailand in junks hoping for a better living. Concerning foreign trade, foreign cargo ships were restricted to conduct trade negotiations with China only in Guangzhou(Canton). However, Thai trading junks with Chinese operating staff were able to call at different ports ranging from Hainan to Ningpo, Shanghai and Tiensin, similar to local junks. Most intensive trade was found in the north of Guangdong Province neighboring Southern Hokkien, principally in Chaozhou, Or Teochew, Prefecture. The first Anglo-Chinese Opium war lasting from 1840 to 1842 ended with the Chinese defeat, resulting in China being compelled to open up the country as well as pay an enormous amount of war damage compensation. The government, therefore, opted for revenue increase through a series of tax hikes. Widespread unrest and public ills stemming from these constituted yet another cause for the people's migration to other countries

pic below here show Britain warship attacking the Chinese fleet during the Opium War

The Signing of the Treaty of Nanking on board the British warship in 1842 in the wake of China's defeat in the Opium War

Chinese Migrants' Ancestry

Junks from China arrived in Bangkok sometime between January and April. Foreign ships could get as close to the capital as possible while mooring in Sampheng area which lay adjacent to the southern city wall. The river in this area buzzed with an open market atmosphere on deck of these junks. A certain part of cargo was tranported to shops in Sampheng, Bangkok's biggest market which featured a dense cluster of Chinese-owned houses and shops. Houses and house-boats belonging to Chinese merchants were along the bank of the river. Large numbers of Chinese passengers disembarked here. Those arriving in Thailand for the first time relled on help from relatives or acquaintances hailing from the same villages as they struggled to settle in the new land. Many found jobs in Sampheng working as coolies or earning a living as peddlers before changing to other occupations at a later stage.

The majority of the ethnic Chinese population in Thailand traces their ancestry to Southern China. They can be grouped by dialect and domicile by birth as follows:

The Hokkiens from Southern Hokkien Province

The Teochews from Northeastern Guangdong Province

The Hakkas from Northern Guangdong Province

The Cantonese from Central Guangdong Province

The Hainanese from Northeastern Hainan Province

Tax Payment in the Form of phuk pi

Thai government collected taxes from the Chinese through the method called phuk pi in lieu of labor recruitment. Upon payment, the official in charge would tie a string on the chinese taxpayer's wrist. Sealing wax was then applied right on the knot, pressed in a round shape resembling a gambling token (pi) and affixed with an official seal as record of payment. The period of tax collection (phuk pi) was approximately six months, at the end of which the string on the wrist could be discarded. The initial tax was two baht per year per person, followed by a change to four baht for three years per person. The rate happened to be lower than that collected from Thai citizens who were required to pay the monthly tax of six baht per person, should they choose to be exempted from the normal labor recruitment scheme.

Chinese Opportunities in Thai Society in Early Rattanakosin Period

The early Rattanakosin period saw the establishment of the new capital along with the revival of the country, both of which were labor intensive undertaking. Given labor shortage within the Thai community, the state had to recruit from among the Chinese to work in areas such as construction, canal digging and junk trade with China, which happened to be the area where the country's main source of revenue was generated. To encourage the Chinese, who were known for their unrivaled endurance and diligence and also adept in trader, to find jobs in Thailand, the government imposed numerous sets of attractive measures.

It was during the period that the Chinese were the only people entitled to freely enter and exit Thailand. Upon arrival, they could either opt to obtain in tattoo mark on the wrist which sigified to which officials they belonged, just like Thai citizens, of live freely in exchange for payment of a certain government tax called in Thai 'phuk pi'. Through it, they enjoyed the privilege of seeking employment anywhere in the country, instead of being subject to the annual compulsory work recruitment as an official's vassals lasting three to four months the way Thai citizens were. Thus, the Chinese were given a vast array of opportunities to earn their living and attain prosperity. Besides working as labors, many became skilled technicians, traders, fruit and vegetable growers, poultry and pig raisers and, finally, millionares.

The Reign of King Yodfa Chulalok the Great, Rama I : 1782 - 1809

King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great, Rama I, established Bangkok as the country's capital and named it Rattanakosin in 1782. He commanded that the grand palace be constructed at the site where the Chinese community had been located. In relocating the people the king allotted them a plot of land for resettlement at Sampheng. Years later, Phraya Rajasetthi, leader of the Sampheng community, submitted his daughter as one of the king's concubines. Known as Chao Chom Manda Jui, she bore him a son who later became the seventh Supreme Patnarch of Rattanakosin Era, namely His Holiness Prince Paramanuchit Chinorot.

Junk trade with China under the tribute payment system of Thonburi Era continued under King Rama I. Trade with China was the country's main source of revenue as Bangkok gradually became one of Southeast Asia's significant junk trade centers. This was achieved through the Thai government's policy to encourage skilled junk traders from China, including navigator, merchants and junk builders, to settle in Bangkok. Record shows that, toward the end of the reign, approximatery 25,000 Chinese were residing in Bangkok.

The Reign of king Buddha Lertla Naphalai, Rama II 1809 - 1824

Under King Buddha Lertla Naphalai, Rama II, Bangkok became a significant center for junk building. It was also in his reign that the Sino-Thai junk trade reached its apex, thereby generating enomous revenue to the country. According to Dr. John Crawford, British ambassador to Thailand who came in 1821, Thai cargo fleet had the annual load capacity of 24,562 tons, requiring labor force of 4,912 Chinese. Besides, his record shows that junks used in the Sino-Thai maritime trade brought with them approximataly 7,000 Chinese immigrants annually. It was in this reign that the Thai government initiated the policy to hire Chinese for jobs requiring physical labor instead of recruiting labor from among the citizens. Simultaneously Chinese immigrants in Thailand began to form a social group rendering one another help like in a combine.

King Rama II, in the meantime, accepted as wife one of the daughters of Phraya Indra Akon(Chao Sua Tao Katha), a wealthy junk trader in Sampheng. The lady, Chao Chom Manda Ampha, born him, among other children, two sons who became the predecessors of the royal Kapittha and Pramoj Families, respectivery.

The Emergence of Bangkok's Chinatown(1782-1851)

In ancient times, Chinese traders travelling by junk from their homeland came to settle in many parts of the Thai kingdom, Such as in Bangkok, or Thonburi, where the Hokkien Chinese had inhabited the west bank of Chao Phraya River since Ayutthaya Era. Son of a Teochew Chinese father, King Taksin the Great established Thonburi as the new capital, During his reign, a large number of Teochews came to settle here and formed a new Chinese community east of the river.In 1782, King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great, or Rama I, relocated the capital city to the east bank and founded Rattanakosin. As a result, he had the local Chinese residents relocated to another area on the river bank south of the city and allotted them land to settle between Wat Sam Pluem and Wat Sampheng canals. The area known later as Sampheng became the biggest trading center of the capital. The first three reigns of Rattanakosin Period saw quite a rapid growth of Sampheng Chinese Community which reflects growth in Thai-Chinese trade where immigration of Chinese labor force was encouraged for various types of employment. The majority of the newly arrived sought to settle down in Sampheng before moving to other places where better prospects could be located.

The Reign of King Rama III and China 1824-1850

King Nang Klao, Rama III, became highly conversant with junk trade when he wass still Prince Jesadabodin during the reign of his father, King Rama II, Equipping the royal junks for trade with China had been under his direct jurisdiction. His endeavors were fruitful, as evidenced the huge profit that went to enrich the Royal Treasury. Futhermore, his special interest in Chinese art made it become widely popular in Thailand.Early in his reign, in 1825, Great Britain sent Captain Henry Barney to Thailand for the purpose of trade treaty signing. As a result of this, the Thai government was compelled to abolish its foreign trade monopoly policy. This allows private Chinese concessionaires to run the export business. Thus, King Rama III had to adopt a policy to generate additional revenue for the state. whereby authorization of monopoly holders was launched. A private person could make a bid to become authorized tax/duty collector in 38 types of business. Most of those who won in the bid happened to be wealthy Chinese trader, thus enabling them to enjoy an increasingly better representation in the Thai economic arena. With the ever growing number of Chinese immigrants in Thailand, the government moved to initiate the title of a Chinese District Chief Officer whose duty was to see to the welfare of the Chinese in each locality.

Junk Trade

Junk trade with China was the main source of state revenue during early Rattanakosin period. The Royal office of State Godown acted as goods collector as well as sole holder of state monopoly on foreign trade, although the office had to rely solely on the Chinese who supervised the complete cycle of operation ranging from navigation to contact with trade partners in China. Thai cargo ships in those days resembled the Teochew junks, With their bow painted in white, they were referred to as white-bow junks. On their return trips, the empty ships were loaded with Chinese goods.

Chinese Goods

Goods from China which were in demand during this period were mostly processed goods meant for members of both the upper class and the general public.

* Unbleached cloth: silk: satin: black cloth

* Porcelain

* Paper: fan: umbrealla; items for sacrificial offering

* Dried and preserved vegetable and fruit; tea; medicine

* Flooring rock; roof tile; Thai exports in those days mainly include forest as well as agricultural products, along with junks built in Thailand from quality but inexpensive wood.

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The New Wave Brought on by Steamships

The number of Chinese immigrants entering Bangkok

1882 - 1892 177,500

1893 - 1905 455,100

1906 - 1917 815,700

1932 - 1945 473,700

1946 - 1955 267,800

1918 - 1931 1,327,600

From 1857 onwards, many steamship lines were launching their regular, year-round service of transporting cargoes and passengers on multiple routes between Bangkok and Southern China. All these routes required a traveling time of merely seven to ten days. Thus, the number of arriving Chinese was found to skyrocket, especially on the routes originating from Swatow (Shantou) and Hainan. This new generation gradually emerged with a significant role to play in the modern Thai economic arena, replacing the Chao Suas who had attained wealth and proserity under the old system.

Picture below show the Steamship Route from southern China to Bangkok Thailand

Route Year started

Red after 1857

Blue after 1873

Green after 1882

Yellow after 1888

Steamship : The Beginning of a New Age

It was toward the end of King Rama III's reign that junk trade began to lose out to western-styled steamship, an innovation of a new age that proved to enhance international cargo and passenger transports as well as helped lessen the traveling time. Steamships also signified an entry into the age where western power was making its presence felt globally. During the peak period of steamship, Thailand opted to mainly trade with the west, producing as well as exporting rice, teak and tin to world market. Through it, the country was able to generate an influx of revenue never before experinced in its history. However, despite the fact that Sine-Thai trade was getting less prominent, the number of Chinese immigrants arriving by steamship with the hope of finding jobs in Thailand multiplied, while new employment channels opened up, e.g. at rice mills, saw-mills and mines.
Chao Phraya Steamship, Thailand's first commercial steamship liner that started operating during King Rama IV's reign to provide service on the route Bangkok-Singapore.

Red-Bow Junks: From Motherland to Siam

Chaozhou or Teochew Prefecture in Northern Guangdong Province was where Sino-Thai trade was at the strongest in early Rattanakosin period. Janglin in Tenghai District was the main port of call for both Thai and Chinese cargo ships. As the bows of the latter leaving janglin Port were painted in red, they were called red-bow junks. Aside from cargo, they also carried large numbers of passengers hoping to find jobs in Siam(Thailand). Having heard much talk about Thailand's fertility and persuaded by relatives who had taken the trip, young men from poverty-stricken villages of Teochew and nearby prefectures came aboard these red-bow junks filled with hope, just as northeastern monsoon sent them on the south route toward Thailand.

While the hold of the ships were full of cargo, each passenger on the deck had only a few pieces of belongings, mostly a mat, a bamboo pillow, a straw hat and a water jar. The food he brought along mainly consisted of steamed Chinese pastry, Which nicely kept for several days, and ash-pumpkins which were refreshing in lieu of water and could also be used as lifebuoy in case of shipwreck. The voyage from Janglin to Bangkok took about one month, during which the passengers could do almost nothing except pray that God bless them with a safe journey and let them emerge unscathed from all kinds of danger stemming from a potential storm, famine or disease while at sea

steam Chinese Pastry(without molded) may be these can kept almost a year.

Chinese Goods, Thai Goods

Goods from China which were in demand during this period were mostly processed goods meant for members of both the upper class and the general public. * Unbleached cloth: silk: satin: black cloth * Porcelain * Paper: fan: umbrealla; items for sacrificial offering * Dried and preserved vegetable and fruit; tea; medicine * Flooring rock; roof tile;

Thai exports in those days mainly include forest as well as agricultural products, along with junks built in Thailand from quality but inexpensive wood.

The Reign of King Rama IV (1850 - 1868)

King Mongkut adopted the policy to open the country and welcome western civilization along side with free trade with foreign countries. Intiated by the British envoy headed by Sir John Bowring who came to sign the treaty of 1855, as a result of which state monopoly on trade was abolished once and for all. To compensate for the loss, however, the existing tax collection system operated by authorized Chinese proved to prosper even more simultaneously the Chinese came to play am important role as go betweens in the rapidly growing trade with the West besides, the free trade scheme proved to generate a higher demand on labor required in the manufacturing of export goods. All these meant that great opportunities were awaiting the Chinese who came flocking to Thailand looking for jobs, which in turn gave rise to fierce competition centering around labor management, as evidenced the emergence of numerous small-sized 'family' circles that eventually evolved into the so-called secret societies. Given the constant clashes involving these. Given the constant clashes involving these, the government was compelled to impose a measure to better control the Chinese community, i.e. to appoint a Chinese affairs administrator who acted as advisor on lawsuits involving the Chinese.With the expansion of the capital city to the east through Phadung Krungkasem Canal which served as outer city moat, Sampheng became a community within the city. Situated on Bangkok's first modern road named Charoen Krung, or new Road, the Chinese commercial enterprises in the area trived even further. Situation in China China's defeat in the first Opium War gave rise to rebellious Taiping movements against Qing which spread to many provinces during the period 1850 - 1860. Due to the emperor's stringent move to subdue the rebels, large number of people fled to find refuge abroad. As the Second Opium War against the western superpower erupted during 1856 - 1860, China was again defeated and forced to open many more ports to facilitate trade with foreign countries as well as abolish the law prohibiting its citizens from traveling abroad, thereby legalizing the export of Chinese labor. The official launching of Swatow as a seaport in 1861 proved to stimulate an even greater influx of the Teochews into countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand included.

Steamships sailing Chao Phraya River in Bangkok


steamship



Bangkok Harbour


Steamships sailing Chao Phraya River in Bangkok