The Russo-Siamese relations

Abstract

The long lasting Russo-Siamese relationship had started since 1897 when King Chulalongkorn paid his first visit to St-Petersburg. The welcoming attitudes of Tsar Nicholas II changed the Siamese diplomatic strategy in dealing with the European expansion completely. Siam was encountering territorial conflicts with both major European powers, France and Britain. As a consequence of the 1893 Franco-Siamese War, Siam had converted into a "buffer" state. With its utter position, Siam sought ways to preserve its predominance in the region. Hence, King Chulalongkorn headed to the road he termed "modernisation" which inspired him to realise that imperial friendship was necessary. Four years after the war, the Siamese King then reached his way to one of the greatest royal courts of the world, the Romanov. The main goal of this research is to explore the origins of the relationship between the two royal courts of Russia and Siam as well as the impact of their imperial friendship. To do this, the research will be divided into three main chapters. Chapter one aims to examine records of the exchanges between the two royal courts since the first Siamese King's visit to Russia in 1897. This includes personal promises the two leaders have exchanged i.e. records of princes who were sent off to study in Russia under the Tsar's guardianship. Chapter two approaches the analysis of the diplomatic relations. This chapter analyses different factors that determine the friendly motives each nation had for the other. Chapter three examines the impact of the Russo-Siamese relations on the Siamese territorial conflict with France where the role of Tsar Nicholas II in this conflict will be investigated. Through primary records from the Thailand's National Archives, books, and journal, this research will lead to the new discoveries of the history of Russo-Siamese relations in which still remain reserved for over one-hundred and twelve years since the two great Kings met.