Thailand I

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Thailand I

• Campbell University
• Government/History 354

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Thailand

• United in mid-14th Century as Siam.
• Took name Thailand in 1938.
• National religion is Theravada Buddhism.
• Became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
• Subject of the Broadway musical,The King and I.
• Allied with U.S. during Vietnam conflict. Major
  R R center tourism and AIDS.
• Facing armed Muslim violence in South.

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The King of Thailand

• Bhumiphol Adulyadej
• (Rama IX)
• Born in U.S.A. in 1927 became king in 1946.
• Father was a doctor younger son of a younger
  son. Married Sirikit.
• Played sax with Goodman Armstrong. Wrote Blue
  Night
• Still anachronistically considered a god by
  subjects.
• Exercises great moral authority.

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The Kings Role

• Politically to moderate.
• Economically to pioneer.
• The Greening of Isarn.
• Artificial rainmaking.
• New strains of fish(tilapia), rice tapioca
  (casava).
• Irrigation projects and dams
• Alternate crops for Hmong cabbages, turnips,
  brussels sprouts, etc., instead of poppies.
• Demonstration projects dairy farming, bio-gas
  forests.
• Traditional Mediator hill tribesmans
  complaint..

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Questions

• What is the national religion of Thailand?
• With what major power was Thailand allied during
  the Vietnam conflict?
• Name the current king of Thailand. For how many
  years has he been king?
• Name the fish that the king pioneered raising
  commercially?

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Nan Chao

• The Thais migrated over a period of 4,500 years
  from Mongolia to China and eventually to modern
  Thailand. Along the way, they established many
  kingdoms.
• Nan Chao in Yunnan Province. Is the oldest Thai
  kingdom. Forced to migrate by the 13th Century
  Mongol invasion of China.

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Sukhothai

• Sukhothai was founded in 1238 thru a revolt
  against the Ankgor Khmer Empire.
• King Rama Khamheng extended the kingdom to
  encompass parts of Laos, Cambodia the Korate
  plateau. He created the Thai alphabet adopted
  the divine monarchy concept.
• A rock inscription reads, This Muang Sukhothai
  is good. In the water there are fish in the
  field there is rice..

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Lan Na Ayudhya

• Lan Na founded by Mangrai in 1296 in the
  mountainous north. Encompassed parts of Burma
  and south China. The capital was Chang Mai.
• Ayudhya (Ayutthaya) founded by Ramadhipati (the
  law giver) in 1351 on the Menam River. Had been
  part of the Khmer Angkor kingdom.
• Ayudhya succeeded in eventually conquering the
  Khmer kingdom in 1431 Sukhothai in 1438.

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Ayudhya

• King Trailok had a lasting impact on the
  countrys administrative and social structure.
• Converted (feudal style) principalities into
  provinces, each headed by a chao phraya
  (governor). Local armies were placed under
  central control.
• Established a departmental system for the central
  administration Interior, Local Gov. (capital),
  Finance ( foreign trade), Agriculture, Palace
  Justice.
• Organized society based on sakdi na (field
  power)grades. Amount of land held determined
  social position and status in legal system.
• The Palatine Law of 1458 dealing with royalty.

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Ayudhya

• Ayudhya was sacked in 1569 by a Burmese coalition
  including Lan Na and Lan Xang (Laos).
• Thai independence restored by King Naresuan the
  Great, who personally killed the Crown Prince of
  Burma in a dual.conducted on the elephant back.
• Ayudhya became a very prosperous entrepot for
  European, Indian and Asian trade. Employed
  several hundred foreigners as experts (weapons)
  and advisors.
• Was receptive to Catholic missionaries.
• The Revolution of 1688 was a succession dispute
  over the replacement of King Narai, who had no
  heir. Led to a new dynasty under King Phetracha.

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Ayudhyas Last Dynasty (1688-1767)

• The revolution contained a strong anti foreign,
  particularly anti-French, anti-Catholic element,
  and led to the execution of Constantine Phaulkon,
  the kings pro-French Greek advisor. Troops had
  already been garrisoned in Thailand near Bangkok
  as part of a plot to make it a French
  protectorate.
• Fear of foreign influence, especially European,
  marked the remainder of the Ayudhya period.
  Moors and Chinese tended to replace Europeans as
  experts and advisors
• Kings role as principal trader continued
  India for textiles, Japan and China, Java for
  horses, Europe for weapons muskets cannon.

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Bangkok

• The Burmese sacked Ayudhya again in 1767.
  Destruction and looting were extensive 30, 000
  prisoners were taken.
• King Phya Taksin restored and enlarged the the
  kingdom and established Bangkok as the new
  capital.
• Chaophraya Chakri replaced Taksin in a coup in
  1782. He became Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty.

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Questions

• What was the name of the Thai kingdom that
  existed in China?
• Name the three great founding kings of Thailand.
  Which one invented the Thai alphabet? Which
  instituted Sakdi Na?
• What was the Sakdi Na system?
• Name the capital of Lan Na?
• The Revolution of 1688 led to the death of what
  European adventurer?
• What was the name of the king who founded
  Bangkok?
• Who founded the current Thai dynasty?

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Maintaining Thai Independence

• Both the French and the British were real
  threats. The British in Burma, the French in
  Laos, Cambodia Vietnam. Ultimately, Thailand
  was saved by becoming a buffer state.
• The King and I portrays a real effort to
  modernize Thailand. The king was Mongkut, Rama
  IV. Anna was Anna Leonowens. The kings son was
  Chulalongkorn, Rama V.

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Foreign Pressure

• The Thais were under very real pressure from the
  French and British.
• In 1867, the Thais were forced to relinquish
  their clams to Cambodia in exchange for
  recognition of their suzerainty over Battambang
  and Siem Reap.
• Fighting between French and Thai forces in Laos
  led to French gunboats blockaded Bangkok. The
  Thais were forced to cede Laos to the French in
  1893.
• In 1907, Chulalongkorn was forced to cede
  Battambang and Siem Reap to the French.
• In 1909, the Thais had to surrender five states
  in the northern Malay peninsula to Britain

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Maintaining Thai Independence

• Anglo-Thai Treaty of 1855
• Tariff control on imports exports.
• Extraterritoriality.
• Most-favored-nation.
• Modernizaton - Mongkut 1851-1868).
• Study of foreign languages.
• Foreign advisors from many countries.
• Minted coinage.
• Eliminated prostration for foreigners.

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Maintaining Thai Independence

• Modernization Chulalongkorn (1868-1910)
• Foreign education of princess.
• Eliminated prostration for all subjects.
• Regulate debt slavery.
• Controlled sale of opium.
• Construction of first RR.
• Governmental administration overhauled.
• Codified and published penal code
• Established a judicial system.
• Streamlined court procedures.
• Opened public schools.

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Maintaining Thai Independence

• The London Declaration by the British and French
  in 1893 guaranteeing the independence and
  integrity of the Menam basin.
• 1897 Thai promise to Britain not to cede rights
  to Isthmus of Kra that could result in a canal,
  thereby threatening the commercial value of
  Singapore.
• 1909 agreement by British to replace jurisdiction
  of counselor courts with bi-national courts.

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Maintaining Thai Independence

• Entered WWI on side of allies.
• In 1919, became only Southeast Asian member of
  League of Nations.
• In 1922, U.S abandoned rights of
  extraterritoriality other powers followed.

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Continued Modernization

• Maja Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925)
• Was a British educated Anglophile. Highly
  nationalistic and anti-Chinese, in particular.
• Sponsored Wild Tigers program to instill
  nationalism.
• Modernization thru monogamy and western attire.
• Compulsory primary education Chulalongkorn U.
• Prajadhipok, Rama VII (1925-1935)
• Revived Privy Council and Supreme Council of
  State.
• Built Don Muang airport, improved public health
  facilities, promoted Thai banking established a
  new national library and museum.

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Questions

• The King I portrays a time in history when
  Thailand feared_______ by _____ ______.
• What was the name of the king in the King I?
  Who was the son who succeeded him?
• Name the agreement between European powers that
  guaranteed Thai independence.
• Why was Britain concerned about the disposition
  of the Isthmus of Kra?
• Who was the king who promoted wearing western
  attire and compulsory primary education?

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Thai Democracy

• 1932 Revolution led by the Promoters.
  Established a constitutional monarchy. Included a
  bicameral parliamentary system with separation of
  powers.
• Since 1932, 13 revolutions, 8 constitutions 30
  plus changes of administration.
• Reign of military dictators as prime ministers.
• Pridi Phanamyong (1933)Phraya Phahon (1934-8).
• Pridis attempt to nationalize industry
  commerce rejected.
• Anti Chinese sentiment.
• Quota of 10,000/year deportation of illegal
  aliens.
• Reaction to large scale immigration KMT
  assertiveness.
• Anti-foreign anti Christian elements.

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Democracy Monument-1932
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World War II

• Phibun Songkhram (1938-1944)
• Militant Nationalism
• Sided with Germany Japan in WWII
• Declared war on France in 1941 demanding return
  of Battambang and Sien Reap.
• Other territorial gains in Laos, Northern Malaya
  (4 states) Shan region of Myanmar (2 states).
• Free Thai movement.
• Thai ambassador to U.S. - Seni Pramoj.
• Secret negotiations with Allies Pridi
  Phanamyong
• Returned all territory gained in WWII.

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Bridge Over The River Kwai

• Located near Kanchanaburi

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Cold War Years

• In 1946, Pridi returns as P.M. Tenure cut short
  by King Anandas mysterious death.
• 1947-57 - Phibun once again P.M.
• Restricts Chinese immigration to 200/year and
  outlaws Communist Party.
• Strong pro-U.S., anti-Chinese N.Vietnamese
  foreign policy.
• Becomes a key member of SEATO in 1954..
• 1958-63 - Sarit Thanarat rules as P.M.
• Overturns Phibun on issue of election
  irregularities, but discards Thai constitution
  and legislature.
• Highly authoritarian. Emphasized economic
  development, increased standard of living
  improved infrastructure.
• 1962 - Rusk-Thanat Assistance Agreement Granted
  over 1 Billion in aid, permitted building U.S.
  bases, stationed 50,000 troops in Thailand and
  committed 12,000 Thai troops.

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Vietnam Conflict

• 1963-73 - Marshall Thanon Kittikachorn is P.M.
• 1964 - Contingency Plan for S.E.A. Defense.
• 1965 - China North Vietnam retaliate for
  support of U.S. military with increased
  insurgency pressure (14,000/-)
• Thai Independence Movement.
• Thai Patriotic Front.
• 1967 - ASEAN established in Bangkok.
• 1968 - U.S. announces it will seek negotiated
  settlement of Vietnam conflict.
• 1969 Thais asked U.S.to reduce troop levels.
• 1970 - Concluded trade agreement with USSR.
• 1971 - Joins ASEAN members in declaring SEA a
  peace zone.

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Nixon Visits China

• 1969 New constitution adopted by Thanom
  Kittikachorns government and elections held.
• 1971 Nixon visits China. Turned world upside-
  down. Blindsided the Thais.
• Thai public reacts with extreme criticism of its
  own government.
• Thai government reacts by abrogating the
  constitution, dissolving the legislature
  abridging personal freedoms. Political activity
  banned.

Thanon Kittikachorn
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Questions

• Who were the Promoters what did they want?
• Between 1932 and 1958, Thailand was ruled by
  which three men who alternated as P.M.s and
  cabinet members?
• Which side did Thailand take during WW II? Why?
• What were the key provisions of the Rusk-Thanat
  Assistance Agreement?
• How did China respond to Thailands support of
  the U.S. during the Vietnam conflict?
• What was the impact on Thailand of Nixons visit
  to China in 1971?
• Which P.M. after he died in 1963 was found to
  have been keeping 100 mistresses at government
  expense?

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The EndProceed to Part II