Modern Thai History

Bangkok Kingdom The Origin of Bangkok Kingdom/ History of the Jakri dynasty The Founding Father, Rama I ( ) Reform of Buddhism, Law, and Literature –Changing world-view-->Buddhist-Humanism; pragmatism –The Three-World of King Ruang[Traiphum] -- >Legitimacy of kingship from Buddhism. –The Three Seals Law. Emphasize the rule of law

Western contacts, Rama III (r ) –caution against Western encroachment

Siam vs Modernity King Mongkut,r King Mongkut, Rama IV, and the genesis of modernity “The King and I”--> Enlightened despot Open Free Trade with Western powers The Bowring Treaty, 1853

Modernization & govt reform King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (r ) Key to independence was modernization-- >Civilized Siam The Administrative Reform >unify kingdom, centralized the rule, strengthened the monarchy=> Absolutism Nationalism vs. sectionalism

Form vs Content The modern form of government=? Debate in 1880s on the appropriate form of government Constitutional monarchy was favorable Republic was too radical and impractical No social forces for changes Policy of internal-colonization?

Official Nationalism Rama VI ( ) King Vajiravudh, –Educated in England –The failed Rebellion of 1912 –Official nationalism centered on the king.

“Democracy in Siam” Rama VII r The Birth of Democracy, 1932 Coup King Prajadhipok, Rama VII (-1935 abdicated) “Democracy in Siam” Failure of appointed municipalities Failure of appointed Committee of Privy Council

“The Revolution of 1932” The Coup of June 24, Led by military, civil government officials, the first beneficial of the Great Reform 1890s, finally turned against the monarchy. Constitutional monarchy

Conflict between King Rama VII and the People’s Party ceremonial head of state, revered worship, above partisan affairs not to be disrespected or involved in any government decisions. –who is the sovereign power of the nation- state; the king or the people. –The forced closure of Parliament, 1933.

–The Boworadet Rebellion of 1933 –Rama VII left and abdicated in 1935 King Ananda, Rama VIII, (r 1935-June 9, 1946)

Rama IX r.1946 King Bhumibol, Rama IX The Thai monarchy has changed from the old center of power to the new center of loyalty, defining new meanings in the relationship between the institution and the people, and become a unifying force was born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U S A.

Studied in Switzerland, Lausanne University. to maintain good relations with the military 1946 to >low profile

Beginning of the activist monarch 11 governments installed, 3 constitutions abrogated and 4 elections held along with 5 coups and attempted coups. 1957, the break with Phibul government Sarit Revolution, 1957 and 1958, exploited the monarchy Revival of paternal kingship and ‘despotic paternalism’

1960 represented Thailand visited Europe, US and Japan New nationalism centered on the monarchy Support from urban population and college students

The October Revolution & Reaction Termination of military domination of politics came in Oct The student-led uprising of Oct. 14, 1973 The king intervened on the people’s side Appointed Sanya as Prime Minister, head of Privy Council and Rector of Thammasat University.

The military Coup of October 6, The king was on the military side. The Coup in 1991 by the military overthrew elected govt The king was not against the coup group The bloody May 1992 The king mediated both sides.

the king has chosen order and stability over conflict Democracy to be defined in Thai cultural values not foreign terms