Kampung Siam, Penang
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Kampung Siam
| settlement_type = Ethnic enclave in George Town
| image_skyline = Penang Malaysia Wat-Chaiya-Mangkalaram-Temple-01.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| image_caption = Wat Chaiyamangkalaram
| image_map =
| pushpin_map = Malaysia Penang George Town city centre
| coordinates = {{coord|5|25|52.1862|N|100|18|46.944|E|region:MY|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Malaysia}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type2 = City
| subdivision_type3 = District
| subdivision_name3 = Northeast
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Penang}}
| subdivision_name2 = 20px George Town
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 10250
| timezone = MST
| utc_offset = +8
| timezone_DST = Not observed
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within {{Legend inline|#fefee9|outline=silver}} George Town in {{Legend inline|#f7e2ba|outline=black}} Penang
}}
Kampong Siam is an ethnic Siamese enclave within the downtown core of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located within the city centre, the {{Convert|2681|m2|acre|abbr=on|adj=on}} neighbourhood is situated near the corner between Burmah Road and Burmah Lane, immediately adjacent to Wat Chaiyamangkalaram.{{Cite web|url=http://mypenang.gov.my/culture-heritage/my-stories/81/|title=myPenang|website=mypenang.gov.my|access-date=2018-07-19}}{{Cite book|title=Streets of George Town, Penang|last=Khoo|first=Su Nin|publisher=Areca Books|year=2007|isbn=9789839886009|location=Penang|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/streetsofgeorget00khoo}}
The neighbourhood is still inhabited by ethnic Siamese, who had moved into the area as early as the 19th century. However, the enclave has also, in recent years, been under threat from rapid urbanisation and redevelopment.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/07/30/kampung-siam-residents-state-limbo|title=Kampung Siam residents in a state of limbo|website=www.thesundaily.my|language=en|access-date=2018-07-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/04/13/the-end-in-sight-for-enclave-kampung-siam-folk-run-out-of-options-in-fight-to-stay-on-land/|title=Penang Siamese village to go, making way for urbanisation - Metro News {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2018-07-19}}
History
The first Siamese settlers were believed to have arrived at Pulau Tikus in the early 19th century. According to a census conducted in 1828, as many as 1,117 ethnic Siamese were residing within Kampung Siam.{{Cite web|url=http://mypenang.gov.my/culture-heritage/my-stories/42/|title=myPenang|website=mypenang.gov.my|access-date=2018-07-19}} In 1845, the land where Kampung Siam now stands was granted by the British authorities to the ethnic Siamese as a gesture of goodwill to Siam. The four female Siamese trustees who became custodians of the land also built Wat Chaiyamangkalaram next to the village.
More recently, Kampung Siam's residents have been embroiled in a tussle over land rights, as the neighbourhood is earmarked for the construction of a hotel. Although the land was held in trust, it was sold without the trust holders' knowledge to a developer in 2014.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1179330|title=Uncertain future for Kampung Siam|website=www.thesundaily.my|language=en|access-date=2018-07-19}} When the residents were issued eviction notices, a lawsuit was filed in retaliation against the developer. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2015, leading to fears that the Siamese enclave will be bulldozed to make way for redevelopment.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{District of Northeast Penang Island}}
{{Penang}}
{{Ethnic Enclaves in Malaysia}}
Category:Populated places in Penang
Category:Ethnic enclaves in Malaysia