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History
Songkhla is the southern border provinces that border with Malaysia. Songkhla is a port and seaside city that has one of the South since ancient times, has the ancient towns which have the historic antiquities, art objects, language and traditions as the cultural heritage of their ancestors handed down to future generations to learn, to be commercial center as junction city in Southern and transportation hub that has growing commercial business, tourism by maintaining the old historic symbol of the city firmly established.
Names of Songhla
The word “Songkhla” originate from “ Singha Nakara” and the other word “Sigkhon Nakara” by 2 reasons as;
1.The ancient kingdom which may be Siridhama Nakorn kingdom or Srivijaya kingdom that rotate the leviathan expanded dominance which had Indian traders traveled to trade in the kingdom by argosy. When They cruising past Khor Nu, Khor Meaw and islands looking toward the shore look like two lions crouching on the surface of water, so-called "Singhara" means "lion-shaped islands," and the city is located on the banks of Khoa Daeng Mt. that, "Singh Nakara" it might mean City of Lions that the city has lion-shaped islands located in the bay in front of city.
2.Indian traders or could be the other national traders in the kingdom of Srivijaya that influence of religion and language of India when came to trade with burghers in the town near Khoa Daeng foothill to called local residents with Indian language as "Singkhon Nakara" people means "Mountain town residents" may refer to the inhabitants of the houses near the mountain
The words as "Singha Nakara" and "Singkhon Nakara" were the nation that came into contact as Thais, Chinese, Indin, Javanese, Malayan and Western people called by many as "Sangora" or "Cingor. " that was cast as" Songkhla "today.
Songkhla in various periods
The settlement history of Songkhla city devided a history from the beginning to the present by the age of period are as follows :
1. Pre-Songkhla Town Period
1.1 Prehistoric Period
1.2 Early Historic Period
1.3 Sating Phra Town Period
1.4 Phattalung Town Period at Sating Phra - Pha Ko
2. Songkhla Town Period
2.1 Period of Old Songkhla Town at Khao Daeng
2.2 Period of Old Songkhla Town at Laem Son
2.3 Period of Old Songkhla Town at Bo Yang sub district
1. Pre-Songkhla Town Period
1.1 Prehistoric Period
Era age : 3500 years before Buddhist era- ca. 5th century BE.
Important archeological site
- Ban Suan Toon, Khao RupnChang sub district, Muang district, Songkhla province.
- Khao Ruk Kieat, Khamphaeng Phet sub district, Rataphum district, Songkhla province
- Ban Ja Nong , Ja Nong sub district, Jana district, Songkhla province
- Khao Look Chang, Tung Mo sub district, Sadao district, Songkhla province
Four prehistoric archeological sites as hills with caves where humans live, from the excavation found prehistoric artifacts in the area include pottery fragments, animal bones and human bones, three - legged pot polished stone tools, bronze ceremonial kettledrum that presumably humans might have settled these areas ever since about 6,000 years ago, which corresponds to the prehistoric Neolithic humans. Later this relocation came down in the lowlands waterfront. The development is on the rise known for cultivation and animal husbandry. There is a need to expand the source of livelihood increased. Thus was born the relocation, which is going to be that much to move down in the plains along the lake and the dunes around Sating Phra area.provinc
1.2 Early Historic Period
Era age: ca. 5th - 12th century BE.
Important archeological sites
- Historic Settlement of Pa-O
Historic Settlement of Pa-O located in Wat Khanun district and Muang Ngam sub district, Sating Phra district or another name " Nong Hoi community " or Ancient pottery kiln communities cause were found many ancient pottery kiln at this site. This community produced the potteries both convention and clay as Kendi, decorate with a pattern textured vessels and painted design, believed to be an ancient pottery production center.
- Historic Settlement of Sating Phra
Historic Settlement of Sating Phra located in Kradung Nga, Ja Ting Phra, Bo Daeng, Bo Tarn and Khu Khud sub districts, Sating Phra district, Songkhla province. This is a moated settlement with a rectangular plan, found the antiques as scrap of Chineseware from Tang, Sung, Yuan and Ming dynasties, Vietnamese wares that was green terracotta contemporary with Sung dynasty (in 960 - 1279) and Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368) and found remains of building of bricks and stones at this site, discovered Glazed Ceramic in Chinese art in Tang dynasty, tools made of steel, gold, precious stone beads and pottery motifs decorated with Pallava scripts.
- Historic Settlement of Sri Yang
Historic Settlement of Sri Yang located at Ban Si Yang, Bo Tru sub district, Ranod district, historic community that signs as a community with moats The community center is located at area of Wat Si Yang. There is evidence of an ancient pagoda that form with coral stones, located in the temple age 16 - 17 century BE.
- Historic Settlement of Khao Khuha
Historic Settlement of Khao Khuha is near Wat Pha Ko, located at Chumpon sub district, Sating Phra district. The community is a sequel to the history of Ayutthaya. Landscape was a hill height from sea level about 20 meters into the surrounding fields. On the hill is located Wat Phra Ko, aged about middle Ayutthaya period. Located far from Wat Phra Ko about 500 meters, found the largest reservoir that found in Songkhla called “Pang Phra” with 300 × 300 meters size. Khao Khuha has 2 carves created by humans as the carvs which excavated in the hill, to be the Hinduism monastery. There was large stone pedestal for Shiva lunga in front of the carves. Large Shiva lunga aged about 12 - 14 centuries BE., now kept at Songkhla National Museum. In the carves found script with the word "Om" above the altar as the symbolic means Tri Murati in Hinduism that represents Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma however, to build places of worship on the hill was popular typical of communities in Southeast Asia that Influenced religious from India because of this aging community and the cave at Wat Ko Pha last about 12 - 14 centuries BE thatbelievable as administrative center. Later, was moved to Ja ting Phra, Sating Phra district
- Group of Historic Settlement of Phang Yang
Group of Historic Settlement of Phang Yang located at Phang Yang sub district, Ranode district, a historic community was traces of ditches, berms surround by Wat Phang Yang was the center. The excavation of the Fine Arts Department evidenced of the residents of the community and antiques, which indicates that had contact trade with India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and neighboring communities in Malaysia adopting a culture of Hinduism and Buddhism as well, excavated the idol in Brahmanism. Buddha and Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism , debris Chinese wares, Vietnamese Scrap wares that about 12th - 14th century BE.
- Group of Historic Settlement of U-Taphao and Ranode
Group of Historic Settlement of U-Taphao and Ranode located in area of Ranode, Tar Born, and Phak Trae sub districts, Ranode district, Songkhla Province.
A survey of these ancient communities was assumed that this community flourished in the history as trade with India and adopting the culture of India as well. Especially Hinduism and Buddhism, and also had contact with other neighboring communities including ancient Chao Phraya river valley, traditional communities in Malaysia and Cambodia and found evidence of trade with China. Evidence of settlements in the past, including ditches, berms and canals, which allows it to be positioned in a settlement in the past. Most traditional communities settled on the sandy lake on the east which is a line from the mouth of Lake from Ranode district contact to the sea in Songkhla city. The most settlement of ancient settlement have found traces of digging a reservoir called "Tra Pung" dug to collect water to drink and food. The reservoir has a total of more than 200 ancient settlements in this area are important signs of digging ditches and the canals surrounding area that connect the lake to show that the community is arranged horizontally along the dunes. The canals between the dunes was assumed that the communication interface between the community, the other one. Archaeological evidence shows that people living in these communities continues unbroken. Noted that the nature of the community by digging reservoir " Tra Pung" was very similar to those found in the Northeast that had areas with sandy and deep underground had saltwater. This is similar to the soil of the coastal dunes general.
1.3 Sating Phra Town Period
Era age : 12th -18th century BE
Land of Sating Phra was human habitation, agricultural communities since the early eras.
Initially influenced by India and China. The archaeological excavations have revealed that the expansion of traditional communities to prosper as a country, had authority and autonomy in the 15 - 18 century BE. it was found that Sating Phra town had a moat around, shaped rectangle located on the apocalyptic streak which was the largest dunes in Sating Phra Peninsula. The Moat was the town boundaries and the route between Songkhla lake and the sea. It was also a canal for agriculture when drought as well as a fishing community. Ages of Sating Phra town Since the mid-11th century - 19th century BE., that can be divided into three phases as;
Phase 1 : Mid 11th century - the late 14th century BE.
Find a building with bricks, developed a system of canals and water-based navigation, to trade with foreign countries Porcelain wares were brown and green of the Chinese Tang dynasty and the Mon inscriptions aged 12 -13 century show that ethnic Mon living in Sating Phra town and found modern sculpture influenced Dvarawati.
Phase 2 : Approximately 15th century - early 19th century BE.
Began to build the great wal, the expansion of agricultural land meets a lot of Chinesewares, the Sui dynasty. Sating Phra this term relationship with Indonesia. He was influenced by Javanese culture especially in Central Java but after the end of the 15th century changed the rule from Central Java to East Java. The relationship with Sating Phra town metaphysical. Found signs sculpture was influenced by 2 - 3 pieces artifacts of Lopburi show the influence of land in the central valley extends down.
Phase 3 : During the early to late 18th century.
Had a hastily repairing the city walls. Siamese presumably after being attacked in the early
19th century after the conquest of Ayutthaya ago. The city changed its name to Phatthalung.
1.4 Phattalung Town Period at Sating Phra - Pha Ko
Era age: 18th - 20th century BE.
Late of 19th century Sating Phra town (Sating Phra district), a prosperous city with a rich
history as a power loss. New community, the new town was born in the neighborhood at Muang Phatthalung-Pha Ko." in other words Phatthalung Satingpra moved to the new measure at Wat Pha Ko. Phatthalung, which appeared first in notes to move officers of the districts in 1455 with the reign King Trailokkanat. (1448 - 1488), Ayutthaya period. Phatthalung became as a center of Theravada Buddhist community in Lanka. It was the center of administrative Merchant marine and agriculture. Muang Phatthalung-Pha Ko that flourished for about 100 years, that fall down because there were Malay pirates to plunder the town. The bandits have burned homes, destroyed temples and catchs people. The rest of the villagers fled to refugee communities to build a new safer town. Some of them across the lake to create a new community at Bang Kaew district and Khao Chaison district to be Phattalung on the west of Songkhla lake. Those who love the lans went on to create new communities along the lake red mouth led by Sultan Suleiman, The governor match-up of Ayutthaya at that time.
2. Songkhla Town Period
2.1Period of Old Songkhla Town at Khao Daeng
Era age : 22th - late of 23th century BE.
After the immigrants built new communities along Songkhla lake for about 60 years, Communities along Khao Daeng rapidly expanding due to the expansion of trade with foreign countries in Europe as Dutch, British, French merchants who came into the region of Southeast Asia especially from the end of Malaya And various islands in Indonesia and southern Thailand. Songkhla has a trading deep water argosy port for either the middle of the sea and the lagoon,was known both in Thailand and abroad on behalf of "Songkhla town at Khao Daeng". Who founded Old Songkhla town at Khao Daeng was Muslim name “Sultan Suleiman.” Songkhla was up to Ayutthaya through the governing bodies of Nakhon Sri Thammarat but governor was authorized be independent from the federal government allow foreigners to trade freely so as a the governor of Songkhla was rich and stable, had more power to influence. However, it should be noted that records of a Dutch merchants mentioned to the governor of Old Songkhla Town as “Mogol” while records of the East Indians Company of Britain called the governor as “Datoh Mogol”. In 1628 has caused unrest in the court of Ayudhya. Governor Songkhla, which is supported by the British obiter dictum their be independent to be King of Songkhla that was revolted of the King of Siam
Old Songkhla in the rule of Datoh Mo Gol built a strong record of trench gates and bastions. Merchant and seaman of Arabs Persia during 1454 - 1550. Old Songkhla Town at Khao Daeng that he called "Singur or "Singora".
2.2 Period of Old Songkhla Town at Laem Son
Songkhla as Town under the control of Phattalung and Nakorn Sri Thammarat
Era age : between 2223 - 2313 BE.
Songkhla by supporting of Britain to mutiny Ayutthaya. As a result that King Narai sent troops attacked the city of Songkhla in 1680 and decisive victories. The town was destroyed outright , a part of Songkhla immigrants settlemented new habitation at Laem Son foothills on tip of the peninsula Sating Phra Later known as “Songkhla Town at Laem Son” Old Songkhla at Khao Daeng, Siam ceded to the French troops to be stationed in Thailand. But France rejected on the grounds that the city was destroyed. The story of Songkhla Town at Laem Son in Ayutthaya period unidentified much, Songkhla which was a minor town under the direct control of Phattalung Town . Later in 1709 the town was assigned to be under the direct control of Nakorn Sri Thammarat . Songkhla was sluggish throughout until when Ayutthaya was defeated to Burma at second time in 1967.
Songkhla as Town under the control of Thonburi and Early Rattanakosin kingdoms
Era age : between 2313 - 2385 BE
After King Tarksin had declaired the independence , conquered Southern Thailand and subdued Nakorn Sri Thammarat. Songkhla was separated from Nakhon Si Thammarat and was developed and prosperity for beam power between Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat. He appointed a Hokkien Chinese name “ Yiang Sae Hao” who lived at Bo Srup to be “Luang Suwankiree Sombat” bird Nest duty tax farmer at Kho See, Kho Ha in Songkhla lake and then in 1755 appointed to Songlhla governor under the direct control of Nakorn Sri Thammarat. Since the beginning of the heirs “Na Songkhla” in nowaday.
Songkhla Laem Son had 4 governors as;
1. Luang Suwankiree Sombat (Yiang Sae Hao) in 1755 - 1779
2. Chao Phraya Indhkiree (Boon Hui Na Songkhla) in 1779 - 1812
3. Phraya Indhkiree (Thean Jong Na Songkhla) in 1812 - 1817
4. Phraya Wicheankiree (Thean Seng Na Songkhla) in 1817 - 1847
2.3 Period of Old Songkhla Town at Bo Yang sub district
Era age: between 2385 BE to nowadays
In 1832, King Rama III had order to move the town from Laem Son to the area called
Bo Yang cause the old Songkhla Laem Son located in an area surrounded by the lake on the east side and the western mountains so the town could not expand. Phraya Wicheankiree (Theanseng) ฟก created new walls in the 1838 with the stone and cement in rectangular shape surrounded the town length approximately 1,200 meters north to south, width of approximately 400 meters north, south width of approximately 470 meters, 5 meters high walls thick about 2 meters. with Sema , 8 fortress with artilleries and 10 small gate around, but the wall only remain at Chana street opposite Songkhla National museum (Old jail) and Nakorn Nai road. Spent approximately 10 years after the building was completed in 1842. His Majesty King Rama III graciously sent Chaiyaprerk Wood to be the pillar and a candle was given to Phraya Wicheankiree (Tien Seng), settling in the town shrine and Chinese style building located on Nang Ngam street, Songkhla municipality.
Bo Yang Songkhla 5 governor as;
1. Phraya Wicheankiree (Thean Seng Na Songkhla) in 1839 - 1847
2. Chao Phraya Wicheankiree (Boonsung Na Songkhla) in 1847 - 1865
3. Chao Phraya Wicheankiree (Men Na Songkhla) in 1865 - 1884
4. Phraya Wicheankiree (Chum Na Songkhla) in 1884 - 1888
5. Phraya Wicheankiree (Chom Na Songkhla) in 1888 - 1904
During the reign of King Rama V , there was Domestic policy reform Incorporates various
towns in a shire that ruled by Lord Lieutenant and responsible directly to Bangkok. In 1906 , There was included Songkhla, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Phatthalung to be Nakhon Si Thammarat shire by the office was located in Songkhla and canceled the governor and replace to ruled by Lord Lieutenant.
Songkhla Lord Lieutenant as;
1. Phraya Sukhumwinit (Phun Sukhum) in 1896 - 1905
2. Phraya Choluranuraksa (Chareon Jarujinda) in 1906 - 1915
3. HRH Prince Yugala Dighambara , Prince of Lopburi in 1915 - 19
Songkhla under royal grace of Chakri Dynesty
Excluding King Rama III had order to move the town from Laem Son to the Bo Yang and graciously sent Chaiyaprerk Wood to be the pillar to settling in the town shrine. During subsequent reign, Songkhla people had the opportunities to greet his majesty the King in the Chakri dynasty as;
20-28 August 1859, His Majesty King Rama IV presided over Songkhla city. To be the first monarch of the Chakri Dynasty who went to Songkhla. At that time allowed Malay rulers came to meet closely for the first time and ordered to build Si Buri road linking Songkhla, Kedah and Penang. Later in 1866, he visited to Songkhla again and this time given some money to builds pagoda on Khoa Tang Khuan.
In 1871, His Majesty King Rama V visited to Songkhla in trip to the southern provinces and Malaya.
In 1915, His Majesty King Rama VI visited to Songkhla had inspected in Nakhon Si Thammarat shire at Songkhla, He was the president in the swear meeting of scout and boy scout, given Scout troop flag of Si Thammarat shire and looked the scout separation maneuver at Khlong Samrong, Songkhla.
In 1933, His Majesty King Rama VII had coming stay at Songkhla by staying at Khao Noi palace at least for 47 days, and went to visit populace on the agenda, visited to the school of Nakhon Si Thammarat shire (Mahavajiravudh Secondary School,Songkhla nowaday). At that time her majestry queen Swangwattana, grandmother and Her Royal Highness prince Sirisobhabannavadi at the age of 8 years have contributed.
In 1959, His majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Royal Highness Queen Sirikit visited the people of Songkhla.