The bunga mas dan perak (translates as "golden and silver flowers"), often abbreviated to bunga mas, was a tribute sent every three years to the King of Siam from its vassal states in the Malay Peninsula - in particular, by Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Pattani. The tribute consisted of two small trees made of gold and silver, plus costly gifts of weapons, goods and slaves. [1]
The origins of and reasons for the establishment of the tradition are unclear. For example, the 17th century Kedah rulers considered it to be a token of friendship, and according to a Kedah legend a bunga mas was sent as a toy for a Thai prince, while Thai kings maintained it was a recognition of their suzerainty.[1]
The practice ended in 1909 with the establishment of the British rule in most of the northern Malay states.[1]