21. Frebruary 13th, 1904

This is a date to remember. Why?

This day in history, February 13^th, 1904 the then Siamese Government signed a Convention replacing the Convention of October 7^th, 1902 dealing with the settlement of the conflicts between France and Siam. This new treaty of 1904 was signed by Pya Suriya the Siam Minister in Paris with Delcasse representing  France. By this Convention France exerted her supremacy over Siemreap and Battambang, among other rights. This Convention was not ratified and subsequent discussions led to the Protocol of June 29^th 1904 in which Siam agreed to give Trat in exchange for the evacuation of Chantaboon and the Kentao district near Chiengkarn. Finally the Convention of 1904 was ratified in December 1904.

Following the ratification of this Convention a mixed Commission was appointed to work on the demarcation of the borders lines. The Commission mandate was from 1904 to 1907: Mom Chatidej Udom from the Siam side and Lt-Colonel Bernard from the French side.

At the conclusion of his work, in 1906 Bernard returned to France drafted new plan to deal with Siam that was accepted by Clemenceau in November. He went back to Bangkok in early 1907 and engaged the Government into new negotiations. The French new demands were discussed and accepted on March 13^th, 1907 and 10 days later the Treaty was signed on March 23^rd 1907. It was ratified by the France Parliament on June 21^st 1907. By this 1907 Treaty Siam, among other things, ceded the three provinces of Battambang, Sisophon and Siemreap to France. The maps drawn by the mixed Commission were then used and circulated as part of execution of the Treaty. They were known as the 1/200,000 maps.

These maps were used by the International Court of Justice in the Judgments of the case of Preah Vihear Temple – June 15^th, 1962. Thailand referred to a set of maps of their own which do not have any international recognition.

A bit of history: The story behind these treaty and convention went back to the time the French came to Cambodia and King Norodom signed with France the Treaty of August 11, 1863 by which France excerted its Protectorate over Cambodia. To please Siam that had also oversight power over Cambodia King Norodom secretly signed with the Siam King the Treaty of December 1, 1863 that was ratified on January 4, 1864.
    After being informed of this secret deal France was furious and using their military power France and Siam signed a Treaty of April 14, 1865. This is followed by another Treaty signed July 19, 1867 after military action by France, and followed by anoter Treaty signed July 19, 1867.
   Most of the treaties dealt with France rights and Cambian provinces annexed by Siam that France insisted to get them back. France also occupied some of the Siam provinces and districts. To that effect another Treaty was signed on October 1893. There was a time of peace until a few years later that France renewed her claims that led to the October 7, 1902 Treaty, and the February 13, 1904 stated above...

Note: Information on Treaties was obtained from the book by Mnaich Jumsai: History of Thailand and Cambodia.