French Occupation of Siam 1903

Stamp-less envelope endorsed 'Troupes d' Occupation de Siam' 
Addressed to France canceled by 'Saigon Cochin/ Corps Exp.' date stamp '2nd March 03'
 with bold circular 'Post De Pak-Nam/ Siam Le Commandant D' Armes' in blue and counter-signed by the Commanding Officer with Gironde receiver on reverse '2nd Avril' and fine wax seal.
 Very fine and rare item from the French Occupation of Pak-Nam

The two great colonial powers in South East Asia Britain and France fought for control of the trade. 
In 1893 France sent military forces east of the Mekong seizing Stung-Teng, Khong and Bassac. 
On the evening of the 13th July 1893 two French gunboats arrived at the mouth of the Chao Phraya at Pak Nam and against the wishes of the Siamese Government proceeded upstream. 
The Thai's opened fire from the fort at Pak Nam. The French gunboats proceeded under fire and anchored in front of the French Legation in Bangkok. 
The Siamese having fired first had to give into the French demands ceding territory and the area of Siemrat and Battambong Provinces in Cambodia. Britain was unwilling to help the Thai's and on 21st August 1893 French Forces occupied Chantaburi.
 By 1904 a new treaty was signed and France withdrew from Chantaburi and Pak Nam. 
Very few items of Pak Nam mail is know and this is one of the finest. (The Pak Nam on the French Occupation of Siam/ Chantaboon refers to the Laem Singh delta and not the entrance to the Chao Phraya. 
Owner David Wrigley - David Wrigley Postal History

https://www.davidwrigleypostalhistory.com/post/thailand/DR18426