Songkhla or “Singgora” in Malay, was a city of the old Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka with heavy Srivijayan influence. It has been part of the Thai Kingdom since the 18th century.
Song Khla
Song Khla – Previously a port and a coastal trading post where Indian, Persian, and Arab merchants came to exchange their products, this place was initially named “Sing Lha” after the 2 lion-shaped islands at the mouth of the city’s lake. These 2 islands are today known as Ko Nu (Rat Island) and Ko Maeo (Cat Island).
Song Khla
Song Khla – In the 18th century many Chinese immigrants from Guangdong and Fujian came here. One of them won the bidding for the major tax farm of the province in 1769, thus establishing the Na Songkhla (i.e., “from Songkla”) family as the most wealthy and influential. In 1777 the family gained political power, when the old governor was dismissed and Luang Inthakhiri (Yiang, Chinese name Wu Rang (吴让)) became the new governor. In 1786 the old governor started an uprising, which was put down after four months. The post was inherited and held by 8 of Wu Rang’s descendents until 1901, when Phraya Wichiankhiri (Chom) was honourably retired as part of the administrative reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. The family’s former home is now used as the Songkhla National Museum.
