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Southern Thailand
Southern Thailand is a distinct region of Thailand, connected with the Central region by the narrow Kra Isthmus.
Geography
Southern Thailand is located on the Malay Peninsula. The western part has steeper coasts, while on the east side river plains dominate. The biggest lake of the south is the Songkhla lake.
History
The Malay peninsula was settled since prehistoric times. Archeological remains were found in several caves, some used for dwellings, other as burial sites as well. The oldest remains were found in Lang Rongrien cave dating 38,000 to 27,000 years before present, and in the contemporary Moh Khiew cave.
In the first millenium Chinese chronicles mention several coastal cities or city-states, however they don't give exact geographical location, so the identification of these cities with the later historical cities is difficult. The most important of these states were Langkasuka, usually considered a precursor of the Pattani kingdom; Tambralinga, probably the precursor of the Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom, or P'an-p'an, probably located at the Bandon bay. The cities were highly influenced by Indian culture, and have adopted Brahmic or Buddhist religion. When Srivijaya extended its sphere of influence, those cities became tributary states of Srivijaya.
After Srivijaya lost its influence, Nakhon Si Thammarat became the dominant kingdom of the area. During the rule of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of Sukhothai, Thai influence first reached Nakhon Si Thammarat. According to the Ramkhamhaeng inscription Nakhon was even a tributary state of Sukhothai. During most of the later history Nakhon was a tributary of Ayutthaya.
The deep south belonged to the Malay sultanates of Pattani and Kedah.
Administration
Usually the south is identified with the 14 provinces
References
- Suthiwong Pongpaiboon. Southern Thai Cultural Structures and Dynamics Vis-à-vis Development. ISBN 974-9553-75-6.
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