[PDF][PDF] The fall of Ayutthaya and Siam's disrupted order of tribute to China (1767-1782)

M Erika - Taiwan Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 2007 - Citeseer
M Erika
Taiwan Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 2007Citeseer
Abstract Previous studies on King Taksin (r. 1767-1782)'s diplomatic contacts with China
reveal that the King laid special stress on Siam's interactions with China in his external
relationships and this basic pattern was carried on by the Kings of the early Rattanakosin
era (1782-c. 1854). Since those studies mainly rely on Chinese historical data, little attention
has been given to the point what kind of change the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 occasioned to
the indigenous Siamese diplomatic view of China. To clarify this point, I will examine the …
Abstract
Previous studies on King Taksin (r. 1767-1782)’s diplomatic contacts with China reveal that the King laid special stress on Siam's interactions with China in his external relationships and this basic pattern was carried on by the Kings of the early Rattanakosin era (1782-c. 1854). Since those studies mainly rely on Chinese historical data, little attention has been given to the point what kind of change the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 occasioned to the indigenous Siamese diplomatic view of China. To clarify this point, I will examine the process of restoration of the disrupted order of Siam’s tribute to China during the period following the destruction of Ayutthaya through a study of Siamese and Chinese historical records. Through exploring this topic, I would like to focus on how political information was transmitted between Siam and China and how the knowledge was comprehended by the both party. Besides this, another purpose of this study is to show vivid images of multi-faceted interaction among various participants of Sino-Siamese interaction during the era. This study clarifies that the reign of King Taksin was the turning point of the history of Sino-Siamese interaction since for the first time in the history of Sino-Siamese relations, Chinese intermediaries in the Siamese court had to take into consideration cautiously the political aspect of paying tribute to China. Behind this is the fact that than former ages, there was outstandingly intensified transmission of
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