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| Kedah: Thai Influence |
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Thai Influence in Kedah
During the 13th century, leaders from a Southern state of Siam at Phetburi moved downwards to the Malay peninsular and took up residence in Malay speaking areas. The Siamese cleared forests and established rice fields in these states and claimed them under Siam control. Kedah was one of the several lands taken under the 'wing' of the Siamese. However the Siamese appointed local Malays to rule over their lands, but under the loose control of the Phetburi royal family. With this, the Malay rulers had some autonomy in which to rule their states but were coerced to supply food, army and send tributes to their overlords.
Yet the Indian traders continued to travel to Kedah, happy to trade in spices that were otherwise under tight Dutch control in the 1600's. Kedah, with access to the Pepper Island (Pulau Lada) of Langkawi was favoured by the Indians.
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| Related Article |
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Kedah: Overview
Kedah: Early History
Kedah: Thai Influence
Kedah: Domestic Disputes
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