A brief history of the Mergui Archipelago
The port of Mergui as it’s name might suggest, is the principle township on Mergui Island, separated from the mainland by the Kyaukpya river, which flows into the Tenasserim River which in turn is flooded by Little Tenasserim river from Thailand.
During the seventeenth century this area was a crucial link in the Mediterranean Masulipatam maritime trading route. At Mergui, Siam’s major port in the Bay of Bengal, the continuing journey to the Gulf of Siam had two alternatives. Firstly, overland through perilous forest belt; a preferred route for the
transportation of small, valuable merchandise. The other was an arduous sail around the Straits of Malacca, an undesirable option due to the on-going threat of piracy. At this time the East India Company controlled the area’s maritime trading; they too were plagued by bounty-seekers.
During the year of 1676 the infamous Samuel White settled in Mergui. A great interloper of his time, White soon gained control of Mergui and its surrounding province. With the backing of King Nari of Siam, White became the Shahbandar of Mergui (Governor), and also an Admiral of the Siamese Navy. Using his powers, he openly seized merchant vessels in the Bay of Bengal, and claimed them and their cargoes as his prize. Rendering himself nothing less than a pirate.
The British East India Company finally grew tired of his actions and in June 1687, sent two British war ships, the ‘H.M.S. Curtainer’ and ‘H.M.S. James’ to Mergui. Their intention was to put pay to his plundering. Instead, a massacre of all British subjects at residence in Mergui occurred (estimated at between sixty and seventy). This was due to the fact that the local Mandarins and Magic men of Mergui believed that the Warships had arrived to take the port of Mergui as a prize of the British Empire. The British, including White were repelled. During the fighting ‘H.M.S. James’ was sunk in the harbor.
The British East India Company ceased trading with Siam from this date onwards. White escaped and later returned to England and took up residence as a country gentleman! After the departure of the British. A French Governor was appointed. He faired little better and was soon ousted by the local Mandarins.
In the channel approach to the port lays Tenasserim Island, it has a sheltered westerly bay completely obscured from the harbour and therefore acted as a perfect smugglers lair. Many a ship were taken as prizes by awaiting interlopers and pirates and much of the booty spilled into the seas during swash buckling
raids!.
During the Sixteenth century, Burma was split in to two distinct Kingdoms, Upper Burma and lower Burma. The region between Mawlamyain and Kawthoung was collectively known as Lower Burma.
Although there was peace and prosperity at the turn of the sixteenth century, the same could not be said for their cousins in the North. War was raging between the upper Burmans and the Indians, in the north west of the country. King Alongbhaya, who was the governing Monarch at the time, decided to lend support, took his army and joined the War. After nine years of fighting he was killed in battle.
During his absence the Siamese gained control of lower Burma. King Bayianung was the next King of lower Burma. He expelled the Siamese and also went on to conquer a large part of Siam from Ranong, south to Phuket, and from Mawlamyaing, east across the peninsular to Ayudahya, forcing the Siamese to move their capital to Bangkok.
At the southern most point of Kawthoung there now stands a huge statue of King Bayianung. He stands, saber in hand, looking across the Prakchang River towards Thailand. Presumably this is to serve as a warning to the Thai’s!
Kawthoung is the southernmost township and trading port of Myanmar and gateway to the Mergui Archipelago. . Present-day there is constant construction in this town as ever-increasing border trade between Myanmar and Thailand. The population of Kawthoung is estimated at 55,000, although very few were actually born there. Most have ether drifted there in the hope of finding riches or an opportunity to improve their lives.
Departing bustling Kawthoung by boat in a northerly direction one soon spots the first islands of the vast and beautiful Mergui Archipelago.
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