My Thai Gf Is Descended From An Ancient Portuguese Explorer

My Thai GF is descended from an Ancient Portuguese Explorer

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ONE
I had an account on this forum called MediumPaceBowler. I deleted the email address to which it was linked, and then I changed the account password to something which I no longer remember. I contacted forum support, but didn't hear back. The MPB account is still active (it wasn't banned or suspended), but as it's no longer accessible I'll use this new account instead.

MODS: If this isn't acceptable, just delete everything.

TWO
Everything I'm about to write is 100% true. It took a long time to work it all out. If you're interested in history, it'll appeal.

THREE
Tiger Woods is half-Thai. Except ...... he isn't. His mother is not Thai. She's Thai-Chinese-Dutch. Mixed-raced Thais exist. Google this for more info.

Tiger Woods considers himself to be part Caucasian.

FOUR
To understand history, it's essential that you distinguish between the modern Thai province of Pattani and the Sultanate of Pattani.

The Sultanate of Pattani existed up until 1902, at which time it was annexed by the Kingdom of Siam. The Sultanate encompassed:

1. the modern Thai province of Pattani
2. the modern Thai province of Yala (previously known as JARU)
3. the modern Thai province of Narathiwat
4. two districts of Songkhla (Chana and Te Pha)
5. land that now belongs to Malaysia (and which was given away by King Chulalongkhorn in accordance with the Anglo-Siamese treaty of 1909).

FIVE
I started a thread on this forum (with my MPB account) about European surnames in Thailand. From that, I learned that surnames weren't introduced into Thailand until 1913. This point is important.

SIX
I thought briefly that my GF's surname may actually be Japanese. This is plausible, but I was wrong.

SEVEN
Last year (2011) was the 500th anniversary of Thai-Portuguese relations. Several meetings took place; important speeches were given; and a Facebook page was created.

I can't post links, so go Google and search for: A-good-life-in-far-Siam. You'll find an excellent article from The Nation

If you don't have time to read it all, at least try to read the last five paragraphs. See how the author mentions that in 1538 there were 300 Portuguese settlers living in Pattani.

But do notice, though, the mistake the author has made. He refers to Pattani rather than the Sultanate of Pattani.

Remember, back in 1538 the Sultanate of Pattani was not part of Siam. Put another way, the Portuguese settlers in the Sultanate of Pattani kept their surnames; the Portuguese settlers in Ayuthaya did not.

EIGHT
In 1902, the Sultanate of Pattani was annexed by Siam. A little more than ten years later (in 1913), the Kingdom of Siam introduced surnames. The implications of this are obvious: the descendants of the Portuguese continued to pass on their surnames.

NINE
Another great article (the link for which I can't post) discusses the history of Ayuthaya:

There was a nearly assimilated community of Portuguese-Thai in Pattanni, southern Thailand. In 1973 they were distinguishable solely by physical characteristics and some unique surnames. Within a generation or two they will thoroughly merged into the larger Thai gene pool. Their language now is completely Thai, Pattani Malay, and trade Chinese. The story is that they are the remains of a community left behind when the Portuguese abandoned their trading post at Pattani.

TEN
My GF is from Songkhla. Remember, parts of Songkhla used to be a part of the Sultanate of Pattani. She has a Portuguese surname. Brown hair; brown eyes; Mediterranean skin.

She is the direct descendant of an ancient Portuguese explorer.

ELEVEN
What next?

Well, somewhere in the modern province of Pattani there must still exist a small community (or village) of people who are directly descended from the Portuguese explorers. They will have ancient surnames that quite possibly are now extinct in Portugal. In all probability, they will have no idea at all as to who they are.

This village MUST still exist.

Imagine finding this village. It's "living" history. A community that dates back half a millenium to the AGE OF EXPLORATION. It's headline news. It's National Geographic.

Gentlemen, I'm going on a treasure hunt! Well, maybe. It's kinda dangerous down there.

TWELVE
Finally, here’s a great video I dug out from YouTube.

The Portuguese set up shop in Ayuthaya. And when the Burmese sacked Ayuthaya, the Portuguese moved south to Krungthep. The video shows Thai children of Portuguese descent (from the Santa Cruz community) dancing in Bangkok. Enjoy!

Go to YouTube, and search for:

Thai descendants of the early Portuguese in bangkok dancing santa cruz

The video I'm referring to is shown at number 1.

THIRTEEN
This is a new account. Apparently I can't post links.