History of Singgora (Songkhla)

Songkhla known in historical sources with different spellings such Saingor, Cingor, Singor, Singora as well as Sangor or Singgora, was in the seventeenth century considered an ideal port with its ample shelters for large vessels.

Arab sources cited that southern Songkhla was a seat of Hindu Malay Kingdom, Langkasuka. Langkasuka was first mentioned in the 5th century AD in the ‘History of the Laing Dynasty’ in China in reference to Lang-ya-hsiu, which had sent an embassy to China in 515 AD.

By the seventh century AD, the area of Langkasuka had become part of the Srivijaya kingdom, including Songkhla.

By 1593 Songkhla had been place under the suzerainty of the re-unified Ayutthaya under King Naresuen. 

At the latest by 1642 it was rules by a Muslim who was described by a French visitor as ‘the king of Songkhla’.

Under flourishing trade promoted by Muslim traders, Songkhla quickly developed economically and emerged as a strong political power in the Peninsula.

In 1652 the ruler, a Muslim, refused to come to Ayutthaya to serve public allegiance to the Thai king. In one of the many fierce campaigns which followed, a Thai fleet was dispatched, each vessel smeared with human blood and hung with human heads to terrify Songkhla into obedience.

By 1679 its ruler had finally complied with the order to go to Ayutthaya to pay personal homage.

In 1684 Songkhla was sending her tribute to the neighboring Muslim sultanate of Patani which in her turn, was sending tribute to Ayutthaya.

In 1791, Tengku Lamiddin, king of Patani rebelled against Ayutthaya. The Patani attacked Songkhla. The governor of Songkhla fled to Phatthalung and asked help from Ayutthaya. 
History of Singgora (Songkhla)