The Bangkok Treaty of 1909 as the Beginning to Britishdomination in the Northern Malay States: A Literature Review

The British gained a firm control over the Northern Malay States (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis) through the Bangkok Treaty of 1909, which was initially regarded as a routine diplomatic manoeuvre. The British and Siamese made a political compromise that transformed territorial boundaries, realigned the administrative framework and consolidated colonial sovereignty in the region. This qualitative study aimed to review previous literature on the political and socio-economic developments post signing of the treaty by relying on historical research and content analysis of credible sources. The review shows that scholarly discourse on this issue often revolved around three key areas. First, the historical and political dynamics that led to the treatys signing were explored to understand what motivated the British and Siamese. Second, terms of the treaty and their effects on the socio-political structure of the Northern Malay States were analysed. Lastly, they focused on how the agreement allowed a more entrenched British dominance in these states. Overall, the literature illustrates how the Bangkok Treaty of 1909 reshaped the political and social landscape of the Malay Peninsulas northern region, thus leading to this studys valuable contribution towards understanding the power struggles and colonial legacy that continue to influence Malaysias modern history.