The Bowring Treaty

The Bowring Treaty, signed in 1855 between Britain and Siam (now Thailand), was a trade agreement that drastically simplified and extended commercial relations. It granted Britain and other foreign merchants favorable trading rights, including low customs duties, and allowed British nationals to own land and conduct business more freely in Siam. The treaty aimed to promote free trade and modernize Siam’s economy but also increased foreign influence and economic dependency. Overall, it marked a significant shift toward open markets and set the stage for greater Western involvement in the region.