Langkasuka was apparently the oldest kingdom on the Malay peninsula. According to tradition the founding of the kingdom happened in the 2nd century. Malay legends claim that Langkasuka was founded at Kedah, and later moved to Pattani.

The name Langkasuka originates from Malay and Javanese chronicles, while Chinese chronicles mention a state Lang-ya-hsiu or Lang-chia-shu, which is usually identified to mean the same polity. In 515 AD king Bhagadatta first established relations with China, with further embassies sent in 523, 531 and 568. In the 12th century Langkasuka was a tributary to the Srivijaya empire, and around the 15th century it became replaced by the Pattani kingdom.