Research & Article

From early in the first millennium AD, southern Tenasserim, now part of Myanmar (Burma) has played a significant role in the history of Southeast Asia, being always open to trade and cultural influences from India and the West. From the 15th century it was the major port of the Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya until its conquest by the Burmese in 1760 when its importance declined and today it plays a marginal role in the economy and politics of both Myanmar and Thailand. Recent developments in both states, particularly in the field of gas and oil exploration, promise to give back the region some of its former importance.