Siamat

Republic of Siamat សាធារណរដ្ ឞៃមៅត្ Satharonarodth Saimaut République du Siamat 暹末
Flag Coat of arms
Capital and largest city	Mouráng
Official languages	Svai
Recognised national languages	Gaullican Xiaodongese
Ethnic groups	61% Svai 16% Kasine 8% Kayin 7% Xiaodongese 8% Other (12 minority ethnic groups)
Religion	36% Sotirian 31% Badi 20% Zohist 8% Salvationist 1% Brena 1% Thang 3% Other
Demonym(s)	Siamati
Government	Unitary Presidential one-party republic
• State Counsellor	Fabien Nhean
• Congress Chairman	Lim Chanthou
Legislature	Central Congress
Population
• 2020 census	36,564,398

Siamat (Svai ឞៃមៅត្ Saimaut), officially the Republic of Siamat (Svai សាធារណរដ្ ឞៃមៅត្ Satharonarodth Saimaut), is a nation located in Southeast Coius. It is bordered by land exclusively by Kuthina, although it shares a short land border to the north-west with the unrecognised nation of Heijiang, and is bordered to the west by the Coral Sea.

Siamat has a growing population of over 36 million. It is constitutionally a secular state, with Sotirianity being the largest religion followed by 36% of the population, with followers of Badi at 31%, and Zohists at 20%. While predominantly Svai, minority groups include Kasi, Xiaodongese, Kayah and 26 highland tribes. The capital and largest city is Mouráng, which is the political, economic and cultural centre of Siamat, while other important historical capitals include Kandaal, and Chensae. Siamat is a National Principlist republic headed by the State Counsellor, currently Fabien Nhean since 2020, who serves as the head of state and government.

The ancient states of Tongle and Ouka existed from 400 BCE to 114 BCE, and 74 BCE to 155 CE respectively. The area was conquered by the Sun Dynasty in 155 CE. In 304 CE Stechaphnom I successfully revolted against Sun rule and created the Svai Empire, which was modelled and influenced by the Sun and later the Tao. The empire flourished during the Venghuo period, during which it exerted cultural and political influence over much of Southeast Coius. During this time Zohism was spread across Southeast Coius, and left its mark in Siamat with the construction of thousands of temples, including the most famous Matay Wat. By the turn of the millenium this period would come to an end with the onset of the Peanchao period, which saw power shifted from the imperial court to the Oknya, the local gentry. Their infighting, which coincided with the Kasi migrations, would bring down the empire in the 14th century.

During the 14th and 15th centuries the Svai cities were dominated by the Kasi Kingdoms of Sippom and Lanhok. The 16th century would see the resurgence of Svai power, under the Chensae Kingdom, and would see the spread of Badi throughout the region. This resurgence was blocked by the short-lived Khaunban Empire, which militarily dominated much of Southeast Coius and Xiaodong. Chensae would re-emerge in 1685 after Khaunban's collapse, although it existed precariously as an alternating vassal state of the Mahadabao Kingdom and Toki dynasty. In the 19th century it came under increasing Gaullican influence, culminating in the official declaration of a protectorate in 1878. The capital was moved from Chensae to Mouráng, and extensive missionary efforts established Sotirianity as the largest religion. After the Great War it was transferred to Werania as a Mandate, and would not achieve independence as the Kingdom of Siamat until 1945, although Weranian economic and political influence remained strong for the next three decades.

Conflict began soon after independence, largely between republican and government forces. The two largest groups, the pro-Xiaodong republican Saim Muoy, and the communist Sba Svay, came to an agreement in 1952 to create a provisional government and unite their efforts to oust the monarchy, marking the start of the Siamat War. The war lasted until 1978, and saw intervention from over 20 countries, numerous war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and acts of genocide. Republican forces achieved victory in 1978, although a power struggle between the Saim Muoy and Sba Svay until 1980 delayed peace efforts. Since 1980 Siamat has been a republic founded upon National Principlist ideology, and is heavily dependent upon Xiaodong for economic and military matters.

Etymology

The name of Siamat is of Xiaodongese origin. It comes from the Xiaodongese characters: 暹末 (Middle Xiaodongese: siᴇmuɑt̚; Xiaodongese: Xiānmò; Svai: Saimaut), meaning 'Rising to the End'. It is first attested to in 735, in a letter from Emperor Jing of Tao to the Svai Emperor Prakphan.

The country is often colloquially referred to as ស្រក្ស្វៃ 区向 srok svay (Svai's land) or more formally as ស្វយ្ហ្កៅ 向國 svayhkau (Svai country). Svai itself comes from the Xiaodongese 向 (Middle Xiaodongese: hɨɐŋ^H; Xiaodongese: Xiàng; Svai: Svay). This comes from the period of occupation by the Xiang dynasty, and by the Svai Empire had come to mean those who were 'civilised', over time becoming the ethnonym for the Svai people.

Politics

Fabien Nhean has served as State Counsellor since 2020.

The constitution of Siamat defines it as a republic guided by National Principlist thought. According to the current constitution, promulgated in 1978, Siamat is a unitary-state run according to republican principles and strong national guidance. The ruling party, Saim Muoy, is also the sole legal party, and has been in power since 1975.

The office of State Counsellor, currently occupied by Fabien Nhean, serves as Head of Government and Head of State. The State Counsellor oversees the State Council and Directory, and has a wide array of unchecked powers.

Government

File:Vimean Santepheap.JPG

The Palace of the People is the meeting place of the State Council and Directory, and principal workplace of the State Counsellor

The government of Siamat consists of the State Council and the Directory. The State Council serves as the main executive body, responsible for introducing legislation to the Central Congress, as well as ratifying and amending. It may also issue and extend executive decrees, though these must be ratified by the Central Congress if they are to become law. Its 50 members are nominated by the party and confirmed by the Central Congress. The State Council meets infrequently, and much of the its work is done by the Committee of the Interior, a much smaller body composed of selected members of the State Council.

The Directory is an advisory body which oversees the government's executive departments. Members of the Directory are appointed by the State Counsellor, and serve at their discretion. Both the State Council and Directory are headed by the State Counsellor.