Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c13.359

v2.c13.359

Although it is not within the scope of the present work to deal with the existing political condition of the Malay Peninsula, a brief review of its political geography is necessary for the proper understanding of the subject. The northern part of the peninsula, forming a narrow isthmus running nearly due north and south to the length of 140 miles, is inhabited by the Siamese or a cross between them and the Malays, known to the latter by the name of Sansam. This portion, with territories further south, is politically subject to Siam and forms an integral part of that kingdom. The Siamese dominion is confined to the northern part of the peninsula, and comprises the following states, some of which, specially those in the north, forming practically so many Siamese provinces :—on the west coast, beginning from north, are Ranong, Takua Pa, Takuatung, Puket (or Junk Ceylon, a corruption of the Malay name of Ujong Salang), Palian and Satul; on the east coast, Patavi, Chumpaun, Caiya, the island of Samui, Nakonsitamaraj (Nakhon Sri Tha(dha)mmarat), Patalung, Sengora, Chana Tepa, Nongchik, Tani Jaring, Jala, Sai Ranga, Raman, and Patani. To the south of these lie the states of Perlis and Keddah on the west and Kelantan and Trengganu in the east, over which the kingdom of Siam exercised suzerainty until recent times, but which now form the Non-Federated Malay States, protected and advised by the British. The southern part of the peninsula consists of states which are more directly under the British authority. The regular British territories, forming the Crown Colony of Straits Settlements, are in point of size "mere dots on the map of the Malay Peninsula. One dot is Singapore; a little way up the coast, Malacca is another; still following the coast, the Dindings form a third; Penang and Province Wellesley are two more."