Bowring Treaty
Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
What happened
Sir John Bowring for Britain and officials appointed by King Mongkut of Siam signed the treaty. Bowring travelled to Siam, where King Mongkut welcomed him. The treaty set a low tax of three percent on imports and let British subjects live and own land near Bangkok. British subjects in Siam would be judged under British law.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It opened Siam's economy to world trade and is often seen as the start of 'Modern Siam'. Historians credit it with helping Siam stay independent while neighbours were colonised.
What came next
Other countries signed similar treaties with Siam in 1856. Britain gave up its special legal rights in 1909, and the treaty was ended in 1925.
Did you know?
Bowring claimed to know 200 languages, though people at the time thought he exaggerated.
Timeline
- 18 April 1855The Bowring Treaty is signed.
- 6 April 1856The treaty takes effect.
- 1909Most of Britain's special legal rights are ended.
- July 1925A new treaty ends the Bowring Treaty.