History.—Siam appears to have no place in history prior to A. D. 638, and the credible records go back only to 1350, the date of the foundation of Ayuthia, the old capital. The Portuguese established in tercourse with Siam in 1511, but in the 17th century were gradually supplanted by the Dutch. English traders were in Siam very early in the 17th century, but in consequence of a massacre their fac tory at Ayuthia was abandoned in 1688. The French were expelled about the same time, and the trade was neglected till 1$56, when Sir J. Bowring's treaty again opened up Siam to Europeans.
The French, desiring access to China by means of the river system of the penin sula, accused Siam of encroaching on the territory of Annam, and in 1893 sent a fleet to Bangkok, where peace was dic tated. Cambodia and the territory E. of the Mekong river were placed under French protection. A belt extending for a distance of 25 kilometers W. of Mekong was neutralized and valuable trade privi leges were conceded to France. From that time the French sphere of influence gradually extended still further west and by a treaty made in 1904 France obtained control of about 8,000 square miles to the W. of the Mekong and the S., as well as other territory. By a treaty between France and Great Britain made in the same year, the territories to the W. of the Menam and the Gulf of Siam were recog nized as in the British sphere of influence, while those to the E. were in the French.
France and Great Britain guaranteed the future integrity of Siamese territory. In 1907, however, more territory was ceded to France and in 1909 three states were ceded to Great Britain. A conspiracy against the king was discovered in 1912, which was put down with great severity.
Siam remained neutral in the World War until July 22, 1917, when war was declared against the Central Powers. At the invitation of the Allied governments a force of volunteers were sent to France in 1918. These comprised chiefly aviation troops.
In recent years Siam has developed greatly commercially and economically. The government has been well adminis tered and there has been notable improve ment in the condition of the people.
a prefectural city of China. It is in Hu-nan, on the Siang river, and though small, has large sub urbs which extend for four miles along the bank of the river. It is the trade center of Hu-nan, and the river route between Peking and Canton is open to foreign ves sels. Pop. about 300,000.
a Departmental city of China. It is situated in the prov ince of Hu-peh, at the junction of the Pai and Han rivers, and is opposite Fan- ching, which has silk and other industries. Both towns figured in the resistance to the campaign of Kublai Khan in 1268-73. Pop. about 50,000.