[Sawa]

I thought it better to write up the Thai perspective in a new thread all together, as some part of the article from [http://www.samurai-a...ia.html#_edn62] did raise me some questions. (By all means it was a nice article Chiang Kai-shek, why all the sudden interest in Samurais?)

The Japanese in Siam

Plagerized *blush* translated/summarized from Dnai Chayotha's Thai History: the Ayutthaya Era

Japanese merchants have been trading in Ayutthaya since the reign of King Chakrapat (ruled 1548-1568), before the first fall of Ayutthaya. Thai records showed that there was a large population of Japanese as early as 1540 in Siam, and by the Burmese war of 1591 (where the duel between King Naraesuan and the Crown Prince of Pegu, Minchit Sra, took place at Nong Sarai) 500 Japanese volunteers also served in King Naraesuan's army.

Official diplomatic relations began in 1604 during the reign of Sanpet III (King Ekkatotsarot 1605-1610), where Iayasu send an official message requesting an exchange of gifts. Thus began a friendly relationship with the results that Japanese merchants and immigrants came to Siam in numbers, averaging around 700 people per entrance, and at times up to 7000. (hey, I'm just plagerizing) Anyhow, a large population of Japanese immigrants were present throughout the kingdom. Many served as volunteers soldiers, as Ayutthaya's law has it that foreigners were not required for military service, but could volunteer for the crown. (The point being that they were not mercenaries.)

Near the end of King Ekkatotsarot's reign, a Japanese rebellion occured at Petchaburi, while the reasons are not known, the rebellion was put down and the Japanese were relocated to Bangkok (at that time a fishing village). It is an interesting event, as Ayutthaya requested Lan Chang to send troops to put down the rebellion - indicating the degree of the rebellion. The result being around 100,000 'assistant' troops and Ayutthya ended up fighting the Lan Chang army instead, driving them out by April 1611.

While King Ekkatotsaroth ordered the Japanese out, it seems that they were relocated and relationship between the two country continues. During the reign of King Boromma Ratcha I (Songtham 1611-1628) (allegedly 500 Japanese storm the Palace during his reign), relationships were even warmer, as 5 diplomatic missions were recorded by the Japanese - a particular one requesting the Shogun to instruct Japanese merchants to stop trading with Cambodia during a war between Siam. The reply message, to cut it short, was 'thankyou for informing us, merchants are useless, please do as you wish.' Anyhow, it is still puzzling why relations would still be warm if the Japanese have stormed the palace, and why, Yamada Nagamasa would became a favorite.

Yamada Jisayimon Nagamasa started his service by first volunteering and being promoted to lead the Japanese volunteers. Achieving the rank and bestowed name of Okya Senapimuk. He was also the leader of the Japanese colony in Ayutthaya - a rank equivalent to a Khun or a Mun (A diplomatic mission to Japan records that the leader of the Japanese in Ayutthaya at that time was Khun Chaisunthorn, possibly Nagamasa)

Nagamasa's role in Thai history was that of preventing Okya Sriworawong from becoming King and supporting King Songtham's royal line, King Atitthayawong. "As long as Ayutthaya have a legitimate prince, Okya Senapimuk will not allow anyone else to claim the throne" was what he was supposed to have said.

Okya Sriworawong, the future King Sanpet V (Prasat Thong 1630-1655), planed against Nagamasa. As the prominent nobleman at court, he convinced the child King Atitthayawong (1629) to send Nagamasa to remove the present governor of Nakorn Sri Thammarat, under the offense that the governor did not present himself before the King when ordered. (The governor was busy restoring order when fights broke out with the Dutch)

Nagamasa with Japanese troops and families succeeded in defeating the governor, and was installed as the new governor. He also conquered Pattani and the southern principalities at a later date. Unfortunately, his victories were not received by King Atitthayawong, but by King Prasat Thong, who ordered his 'rewards' and send physicians to tend to Nagamasa's wounds. Thai records had it that Okk Phramarid poisoned Nagamasa by 'tending' to Nagamasa's wounds (no date were specified), Japanese records had it that 'Chandra,' an official from Ayutthaya, poisoned Nagamasa's food, according to this record, Nagamasa died in 1633.

Nagamasa's son, 'O-in' was given Nagamasa's title, and was the next governor of Nakorn Sri Thammarat. Siamese were discontent to be under Japanese rule, and revolts soon broke out. Pattani, acquired during Nagamasa's time, also revolted. Nevertheless the new Okya Senapimuk eventually pacify the region and then led a revolt against Ayutthaya. He failed, and Ayutthaya's retaliation was to eliminate the Japanese. The Japanese sector in Ayutthaya was burned down, followed by a massacre. The Japanese in Siam thus fled the kingdom by 1633.

The reason for this retaliation was simple: the Japanese were too involved in Siamese politics and economy, and were gaining too much strength, by being able to field an army their fate was settled. Secondly, the Japanese were openly opposed to King Prasat Thong.

Afterward King Prasat Thong tried to reestablish relations with Japan, and trade resume at a smaller level. However no diplomatic records between the King and the Shogunate exist.

King Sanpet VI (Chai(Chao Fa Yai) 1655) tried to reestablish direct contact, but relations did not improve. As King Prasat Thong's action would suggest, the Shogunate respond coldly. Trading relations improve in later reigns, but Siamese vessels were not allowed to enter Japanese ports, thus the Siamese trade by hiring Chinese junks to enter the ports, these small volumn of trade existed until the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.

[caocao74]

Sawa, on Sep 18 2005, 10:56 PM, said:

Nevertheless the new Okya Senapimuk eventually pacify the region and then led a revolt against Ayutthaya. He failed, and Ayutthaya's retaliation was to eliminate the Japanese. The Japanese sector in Ayutthaya was burned down, followed by a massacre. The Japanese in Siam thus fled the kingdom by 1633.

Would you happen to know what happened to the Japanese from Ayutthaya, and Siam in general?

[Sawa]

No.. what I know is that by the end of Ayutthaya, the Japanese were not mentioned at all, they would have fled by that time.

[caocao74]

Sawa, on Oct 2 2005, 01:12 PM, said:

No.. what I know is that by the end of Ayutthaya, the Japanese were not mentioned at all, they would have fled by that time.

I was just wondering where they went, because of the policy of sakoku they were not have been allowed to re-enter Japan

[Sawa]

It seems that some did settle down and assimilate, while some escape to Cambodia.

This article says the Dutch spread rumors in Japan of what happened in Siam, and that cause the disruption in trade.

http://www.une.edu.a...v_d_Kraan_2.pdf