Thai History IIIThai History III

Rattanakosin Period: Chakri Rattanakosin Period: Chakri DynastyDynasty

9 Kings of Chakri 9 Kings of Chakri DynastyDynasty

9 Kings of Chakri 9 Kings of Chakri DynastyDynasty

Rattanakosin/Bangkok (since Rattanakosin/Bangkok (since 1782)1782)

When King Buddha Yod Fa Chulaloke, When King Buddha Yod Fa Chulaloke, or King Rama I succeeded to the or King Rama I succeeded to the throne of Chakri dynasty, he and his throne of Chakri dynasty, he and his younger brother started to establish younger brother started to establish Rattanakosin city or Bangkok in Rattanakosin city or Bangkok in 1692. When the city was nearly 1692. When the city was nearly completely found, most people both completely found, most people both in Thonburi and Ayutthaya integrated in Thonburi and Ayutthaya integrated to settle down in the new capital city.to settle down in the new capital city.

Rama I (1782 - 1809)Rama I (1782 - 1809)

Rama I (Buddha Yod Fah Rama I (Buddha Yod Fah Chulaloke) became a king Chulaloke) became a king together with the inauguration together with the inauguration of the Chakri dynastry on April of the Chakri dynastry on April 6, 17826, 1782 . . He moved the capital He moved the capital across the Chao Phaya River across the Chao Phaya River from Thonburi to from Thonburi to ""BangkokBangkok ”. ”.

RestorationRestoration

He restored most of the social He restored most of the social and political system of the and political system of the Ayutthaya kingdom, Ayutthaya kingdom, promulgating new law codes, promulgating new law codes, reinstating court ceremonies reinstating court ceremonies and imposing discipline on the and imposing discipline on the Buddhist monkhoodBuddhist monkhood . .

OccupationOccupation

In 1792 the Siamese occupiedIn 1792 the Siamese occupied   Luang Prabang  and brought most of and brought most of

Laos under indirect Siamese ruleLaos under indirect Siamese rule . .Cambodia was also effectively ruled Cambodia was also effectively ruled by Siamby Siam . . By the time of his death in By the time of his death in 1809, Rama I had created a Siamese 1809, Rama I had created a Siamese over lordship dominating an area over lordship dominating an area considerably larger than modern considerably larger than modern ThailandThailand . .

Rama II (1809 - 1824)Rama II (1809 - 1824)

In 1809, Rama II or King Buddha In 1809, Rama II or King Buddha Loet Lah, son of Rama I took the Loet Lah, son of Rama I took the throne until 1824throne until 1824 . . He devoted He devoted himself to preserve the Thai himself to preserve the Thai literature that had remained fromliterature that had remained from  Ayutthaya  period and produced a period and produced a new version of Ramakien or Thai new version of Ramakien or Thai Ramayana, the classical literatureRamayana, the classical literature..  

The Chakri The Chakri dynasty dynasty now control now control led all branches of Siamese gov led all branches of Siamese gov

ernment — since Rama I had ernment — since Rama I had 4242 children, and Rama II had children, and Rama II had 7373 , th , th

ere was no shortage of royal pri ere was no shortage of royal pri nces to staff the bureaucracy, t nces to staff the bureaucracy, t

he army, the senior monkhood he army, the senior monkhood and the provincial government and the provincial government

s. (Most children s. (Most children were were of concu of concu bines and thus not eligible to in bines and thus not eligible to in

herit the throne.) herit the throne.)

British OccupationBritish Occupation

In 1785 the British occupied In 1785 the British occupied Penang, and in 1819 they foundedPenang, and in 1819 they founded  Singapore . Soon the British displaced the Dutc . Soon the British displaced the Dutc h and Portuguese as the main weste h and Portuguese as the main weste rn economic and political influence i rn economic and political influence i

n Siam. The British objected to the S n Siam. The British objected to the S iamese economic system, in which t iamese economic system, in which t

rading monopolies were held by roy rading monopolies were held by roy al princes and businesses were subj al princes and businesses were subj

ect to arbitrary taxation. ect to arbitrary taxation.

British DemandBritish Demand

In In 18211821 the government of the government of  British India

   sent a mission to demand that sent a mission to demand that Siam lift restrictions on free tr Siam lift restrictions on free tr

ade — the first sign of an issue ade — the first sign of an issue which was to dominate which was to dominate 1919 th c th c entury Siamese politics. entury Siamese politics.

Rama II died in 1824 and was Rama II died in 1824 and was succeeded by his son Prince succeeded by his son Prince Jessadabondindra, who Jessadabondindra, who reigned as King Nangklao, reigned as King Nangklao, now known asnow known as   Rama III . Rama II's younger son, . Rama II's younger son,  

Mongkut, was 'suggested' to , was 'suggested' to

become a monk, removing become a monk, removing him from politicshim from politics . .

Rama III (1824 - 1851)Rama III (1824 - 1851)

In 1824-1851, Rama III or King In 1824-1851, Rama III or King Nang Klao was successful in reNang Klao was successful in re--establishing relation and making establishing relation and making trades with China which was trades with China which was necessary to meet the increasing necessary to meet the increasing domestic agricultural productiondomestic agricultural production..  

In 1825 the British sent In 1825 the British sent another mission to Bangkok another mission to Bangkok led byled by   East India Company  emissaryemissary   Henry Burney . They had by now annexed so . They had by now annexed so

uthern Burma and were thus S uthern Burma and were thus S iam's neighbours to the west, iam's neighbours to the west,

and they were also extending t and they were also extending t heir control heir control ooverver  Malaya . .

Burney TreatyBurney Treaty The King was reluctant to give in to British The King was reluctant to give in to British

demands, but his advisors warned him demands, but his advisors warned him that Siam would meet the same fate as that Siam would meet the same fate as Burma unless the British were Burma unless the British were accommodatedaccommodated . . In 1826, therefore, Siam In 1826, therefore, Siam concluded its first commercial treaty with concluded its first commercial treaty with a western power, thea western power, the  

Treaty of Amity and Commerce (Siam–UK)

 ( (also called thealso called the   Burney Treaty).).  

Amendment of Amendment of MonopoliesMonopolies

Under the treaty, Siam agreed to Under the treaty, Siam agreed to establish a uniform taxation system, establish a uniform taxation system, to reduce taxes on foreign trade and to reduce taxes on foreign trade and to abolish some of the royal to abolish some of the royal monopoliesmonopolies . . As a result, Siam's trade As a result, Siam's trade increased rapidly, many more increased rapidly, many more foreigners settled in Bangkok, and foreigners settled in Bangkok, and western cultural influences began to western cultural influences began to spreadspread . . The kingdom became The kingdom became wealthier and its army better armedwealthier and its army better armed . .

British Trading with British Trading with SiamSiam

Bowring TreatyBowring Treaty

In late Rama III, Siam used In late Rama III, Siam used monopoly policy again that monopoly policy again that against the Burney Treaty. This against the Burney Treaty. This resulted trading disputesresulted trading disputes between between Siam and Britain. In 1855 (Rama Siam and Britain. In 1855 (Rama IV), the British made Bowring IV), the British made Bowring treaty that forced Siamese to be treaty that forced Siamese to be under British trading at last.under British trading at last.

Lao RebellionLao Rebellion

A Lao rebellion led byA Lao rebellion led by  Anouvong  was was defeated in 1827, following which Siam defeated in 1827, following which Siam destroyeddestroyed  Vientiane , carried out massive , carried out massive

population transfers from Laos to the mo population transfers from Laos to the mo re securely held area of re securely held area of  Isan, and , and

divided the Lao Mueang into smaller divided the Lao Mueang into smaller units to prevent another uprisingunits to prevent another uprising . . In In 1842–1845 Siam waged a successful 1842–1845 Siam waged a successful war with Vietnam, which tightened war with Vietnam, which tightened Siamese rule over CambodiaSiamese rule over Cambodia . .

By the 1840s it was obvious that By the 1840s it was obvious that Siamese independence was in Siamese independence was in danger from the colonial powersdanger from the colonial powers : :this was shown dramatically by this was shown dramatically by the Britishthe British   First Opium War  with with China in 1839–1842China in 1839–1842 . .

First Opium WarFirst Opium War

Foreign Traders’ Foreign Traders’ DemandsDemands In 1850 the British and Americans In 1850 the British and Americans

sent missions to Bangkok sent missions to Bangkok demanding the end of all demanding the end of all restrictions on trade, the restrictions on trade, the establishment of a westernestablishment of a western--style style government and immunity for government and immunity for their citizens from Siamese law their citizens from Siamese law ((extraterritoriality ). ).

Chinese InfluxChinese Influx

Economically, from its foundation, Economically, from its foundation, Rattanakosin witnessed the Rattanakosin witnessed the growing role of Chinese growing role of Chinese merchants, who were chased out merchants, who were chased out before by king Taksinbefore by king Taksin . . Beside Beside merchants, Chinese who were merchants, Chinese who were farmers, endlessly came to seek farmers, endlessly came to seek fortune in the new kingdomfortune in the new kingdom . .

Chinese Assimilation Chinese Assimilation

The Rattanakosin's rulers The Rattanakosin's rulers welcomed the Chinese, due to welcomed the Chinese, due to their source of economic revivaltheir source of economic revival . .Some ethnic Chinese merchants Some ethnic Chinese merchants became the court officials, became the court officials, holding crucial positionsholding crucial positions . .

Relationship with Relationship with ChinaChina Chinese culture such as literature Chinese culture such as literature

was accepted and promotedwas accepted and promoted . .Many Chinese works were Many Chinese works were translated by ethnic Chinese translated by ethnic Chinese court dignitariescourt dignitaries.. Siam's Siam's relationship with the Chinese relationship with the Chinese Empire was strongEmpire was strong . .

It has been a royal tradition to build It has been a royal tradition to build a temple of king since King Rama I.a temple of king since King Rama I.

Although temple of Rama III is Wat Although temple of Rama III is Wat Ratcha O-Ros, his most visible Ratcha O-Ros, his most visible legacy in Bangkok is thelegacy in Bangkok is the   Wat Pho  temple complex, which he temple complex, which he enlarged and endowed with new enlarged and endowed with new templestemples . .

Both temples contain many Both temples contain many Chinese arts and sculptures.Chinese arts and sculptures.

Wat Pho (Chetupon)Wat Pho (Chetupon)

Chinese GuardiansChinese Guardians

Wat Ratcha-OrosWat Ratcha-Oros

Chinese Arts@Thai Chinese Arts@Thai templetemple

Rama IV (1851 - 1868)Rama IV (1851 - 1868)

Rama IV or King Mongkut Rama IV or King Mongkut ((Phra Phra Chom KlaoChom Klao)), who reigned from 1851 , who reigned from 1851 to 1868 lived as a Buddhist monk to 1868 lived as a Buddhist monk for 27 yearsfor 27 years . . He used his long He used his long sojourn as a monk to acquire a sojourn as a monk to acquire a western education from French and western education from French and American missionaries, and British American missionaries, and British merchantsmerchants . . He could speak many He could speak many languages such as Latin, English, languages such as Latin, English, and five other languagesand five other languages . .

The missionaries hoped to The missionaries hoped to convert him to Christianity, convert him to Christianity, but in fact he was a strict but in fact he was a strict Buddhist and a Siamese Buddhist and a Siamese nationalistnationalist . . He intended He intended using this western using this western knowledge to strengthen knowledge to strengthen and modernise Siam when and modernise Siam when he came to the thronehe came to the throne . .

Having been a monk for 27 Having been a monk for 27 years, he lacked a base among years, he lacked a base among the powerful royal princes, and the powerful royal princes, and did not have a modern state did not have a modern state apparatus to carry out his apparatus to carry out his wisheswishes . .

His first attempts at reform, to His first attempts at reform, to establish a modern system of establish a modern system of administration and to improve administration and to improve the status of debtthe status of debt--slaves and slaves and women, were frustratedwomen, were frustrated . .

Under his reign, he created Under his reign, he created new laws to improve the new laws to improve the women's and children's right. women's and children's right. There was a common saying There was a common saying that “Woman is buffalo, Man that “Woman is buffalo, Man is human”is human”..  

A Thai movie titled “A Thai movie titled “Am Dang Am Dang Muen and Nai RidMuen and Nai Rid” portrayed ” portrayed women’s lives in this period.women’s lives in this period.

Anna Leonowens

““Anna and the King”Anna and the King” Anna Leonowens, a British Anna Leonowens, a British

governess,governess,   presents a group of presents a group of liberated Christian women in the liberated Christian women in the 1800's that worked to end slavery1800's that worked to end slavery . .She was a part of Siamese history She was a part of Siamese history and has been fictionalized asand has been fictionalized as  The King and I.. The film mentions The film mentions that Anna was one of the forces that that Anna was one of the forces that brought freedom from slavery and brought freedom from slavery and freedom of religionfreedom of religion  . .   

Rama IV thus came to Rama IV thus came to welcome western intrusion in welcome western intrusion in SiamSiam . . Indeed the king himself Indeed the king himself was actively prowas actively pro--BritishBritish . . This This came in 1855 in the form of a came in 1855 in the form of a mission led by the Governor ofmission led by the Governor of   Hong Kong,,  Sir John Bowring, ,

who arrived in Bangkok with who arrived in Bangkok with demands for immediate demands for immediate changes, backed by the threat changes, backed by the threat of forceof force . .

The King readily agreed to his The King readily agreed to his demand for a new treaty, demand for a new treaty, called thecalled the   Bowring Treaty , which restricted import dutie , which restricted import dutie s to s to 3%3% , abolished royal trade , abolished royal trade

monopolies, and granted extra monopolies, and granted extra territoriality to British subjects territoriality to British subjects

.. Other western powers soon de Other western powers soon de

manded and got similar conce manded and got similar concessions.ssions.

The king soon came to consider The king soon came to consider that the real threat to Siam that the real threat to Siam came from the French, not the came from the French, not the BritishBritish . . The British were The British were interested in commercial interested in commercial advantage, the French in advantage, the French in building a colonial empirebuilding a colonial empire . . They They occupiedoccupied Saigon   in in 18591859 , and , and18671867 established established a a protectorate   over southern Vietnam and east over southern Vietnam and east

ern Cambodia. ern Cambodia.

Rama IV hoped that the British Rama IV hoped that the British would defend Siam if he gave t would defend Siam if he gave t

hem the economic concession hem the economic concession s they demanded. In the next r s they demanded. In the next r

eign this would prove to be eign this would prove to bemistakenmistaken , but it is true that the , but it is true that the

British saw Siam as a useful bu British saw Siam as a useful bu ffer state between British Bur ffer state between British Bur ma and ma and   French Indochina..

Siam as Buffer StateSiam as Buffer State

Buddhist AffairsBuddhist Affairs Rama IV also adopted the Rama IV also adopted the

discipline of local Mon monkdiscipline of local Mon monk as as he saw many monks during that he saw many monks during that time were not so disciplined. time were not so disciplined. Thus he founded a new sect in Thus he founded a new sect in which called “Dhammayutika which called “Dhammayutika Nikaya”. This sect observed Nikaya”. This sect observed precepts stricter than the precepts stricter than the majority monks, later were majority monks, later were called “Maha Nikaya”. called “Maha Nikaya”.

Rama V (1868 - 1910)Rama V (1868 - 1910)

Rama V or King Rama V or King Chulalongkorn, Rama IV's son, Chulalongkorn, Rama IV's son, continued the throne when he continued the throne when he was 15 years oldwas 15 years old . . Rama V was Rama V was the first Siamese king to have the first Siamese king to have a full western education. a full western education.

Survival of Survival of ColonizationColonization In 1886, Siam lost some In 1886, Siam lost some

territory to French, Laos and territory to French, Laos and British Burma accorded the British Burma accorded the foreign powers intercedeforeign powers intercede . . After After that King Chulalongkorn that King Chulalongkorn declared Thailand as an declared Thailand as an independent kingdom on the independent kingdom on the 23rd of October. 23rd of October.

In 1893 the French In 1893 the French authorities in Indochina authorities in Indochina used a minor border dispute used a minor border dispute to provoke a crisisto provoke a crisis . . French French gunboats appeared at gunboats appeared at Bangkok, and demanded Bangkok, and demanded the cession of Lao territories the cession of Lao territories east of theeast of the  Mekong . .

Seize of BangkokSeize of Bangkok

The King appealed to the Br The King appealed to the Br itish, but the British ministe itish, but the British ministe

r told the King to settle on r told the King to settle on whatever terms he could g whatever terms he could g

et, and he had no choice bu et, and he had no choice bu t to comply. t to comply.

Britain's only gesture was a Britain's only gesture was a n agreement with France g n agreement with France g

uaranteeing the integrity of uaranteeing the integrity of the rest of Siam. In exchan the rest of Siam. In exchan ge, Siam had to give up its ge, Siam had to give up its

- claim to the Tai speaking S - claim to the Tai speaking S - han region of north eastern - han region of north eastern

Burma to the British. Burma to the British.

The French, however, continued The French, however, continued to pressure Siam, and in 1906–to pressure Siam, and in 1906–1907 they manufactured 1907 they manufactured another crisisanother crisis . . This time Siam This time Siam had to concede French control had to concede French control of territory on the west bank of of territory on the west bank of the Mekong opposite Luang the Mekong opposite Luang Prabang and aroundPrabang and around  Champasak  in southern Laos, in southern Laos, as well as western Cambodiaas well as western Cambodia . .

The British interceded to The British interceded to prevent more French bullying prevent more French bullying of Siam, but their price, in of Siam, but their price, in 1909 was the acceptance of 1909 was the acceptance of British sovereignty over ofBritish sovereignty over of  Kedah,,  Kelantan,,  Perlis  and and

Terengganu  underunder  Anglo-

Siamese Treaty of 1909 . .

All of these All of these ""lost territorieslost territories " "were on the fringes of the were on the fringes of the Siamese sphere of influence Siamese sphere of influence and had never been securely and had never been securely under their control, but under their control, but being compelled to abandon being compelled to abandon all claim to them was a all claim to them was a substantial humiliation to substantial humiliation to both king and country. both king and country.

David K. Wyatt  describes King describes King

Chulalongkorn as Chulalongkorn as ""broken in broken in spirit and healthspirit and health " " following the following the 1893 crisis1893 crisis and is the basis for and is the basis for the change in the name of the the change in the name of the country; with the loss of these country; with the loss of these territoriesterritories  Great SiamGreat Siam  was now was now no more, the king now ruled no more, the king now ruled only the coreonly the core  Thai landsThai lands . .

NationalismNationalism

In the early 20th century In the early 20th century these crises were adopted by these crises were adopted by the increasingly nationalist the increasingly nationalist government as symbols of the government as symbols of the need for the country to assert need for the country to assert itself against the West and its itself against the West and its neighborsneighbors . .

Meanwhile, reform continued Meanwhile, reform continued apace transforming an apace transforming an absolute monarchy based on absolute monarchy based on relationships of power into a relationships of power into a modern, centralized nation modern, centralized nation statestate . .

The process was increasingly The process was increasingly under the control of Rama V's under the control of Rama V's sons, who were all educated sons, who were all educated in Europein Europe..

Railways and telegraph lines Railways and telegraph lines united the previously united the previously remote and semiremote and semi--autonomous provincesautonomous provinces   .  .

The currency was tied to theThe currency was tied to the  gold standardgold standard  and a modern and a modern system of taxation replaced system of taxation replaced the arbitrary exactions and the arbitrary exactions and labor service of the pastlabor service of the past..

Tradition ReformsTradition Reforms

Rama V started to reform the Rama V started to reform the tradition, legal and administrative tradition, legal and administrative realm by allowing officials to sit realm by allowing officials to sit on chairs during royal audienceson chairs during royal audiences . .Under the reign of Rama V, Under the reign of Rama V, Thailand developed relations with Thailand developed relations with European nations and the USAEuropean nations and the USA   .  .

King ChulalongkornKing Chulalongkorn He introduced schools, roads, He introduced schools, roads,

railways, and Thailand's first railways, and Thailand's first post officepost office . . He even established He even established civil service systemcivil service system . .

In 1892, Rama V overhauled In 1892, Rama V overhauled the administration of Siam to a the administration of Siam to a form of cabinet government form of cabinet government with 12 ministerswith 12 ministers..  

The biggest problem was the The biggest problem was the shortage of trained civil shortage of trained civil servants, and many foreigners servants, and many foreigners had to be employed until new had to be employed until new schools could be built and schools could be built and Siamese graduates producedSiamese graduates produced . . By By 1910, when the King died, Siam 1910, when the King died, Siam had become at least a semihad become at least a semi--modern country, and continued modern country, and continued to escape colonial ruleto escape colonial rule . .

VDOVDO

Lands of ThailandLands of Thailand

Rama VIRama VI (1910 - 1925)(1910 - 1925)

Rama VI or King Rama VI or King Vajiravudh, took the throne Vajiravudh, took the throne from 1910 to 1925from 1910 to 1925 . . During During his short reign, he his short reign, he introduced theintroduced the WWesternizatesternizat

ion to Thailand. ion to Thailand.

He introduced the primary school He introduced the primary schooleducationeducation. .

Thai women were encouraged to Thai women were encouraged to grow their hair at a certain length grow their hair at a certain length

.. Surnames were introduced Surnames were introduced FF ootball was introduced in Thaila ootball was introduced in Thaila

 nd. nd.

Thai women and girls Thai women and girls in in Early RatttanakosinEarly Ratttanakosin PeriodPeriod

Costumes for Thai Costumes for Thai Women Women

Western EducationWestern Education He had been educated in BritainHe had been educated in Britain . .

Indeed one of Siam's problems was Indeed one of Siam's problems was the widening gap between the the widening gap between the westernised royal family and upper westernised royal family and upper aristocracy and the rest of the aristocracy and the rest of the countrycountry . . It took another 20 years It took another 20 years for western education to extend to for western education to extend to the rest of the bureaucracy and the rest of the bureaucracy and the armythe army : : a potential source of a potential source of conflictconflict . .

KingKing Vajiravudh Vajiravudh, knew that the , knew that the rest of the 'new' nation could not rest of the 'new' nation could not be excluded from government be excluded from government forever, but he had no faith in forever, but he had no faith in westernwestern--style democracystyle democracy . . He He applied his observation of the applied his observation of the success of the British monarchy success of the British monarchy in ruling of India, appearing in ruling of India, appearing more in public and instituting more in public and instituting more royal ceremoniesmore royal ceremonies . .

However Rama VI also carried However Rama VI also carried on his father's modernisation on his father's modernisation planplan . . Polygamy was abolished, Polygamy was abolished, primary education made primary education made compulsory, and in 1916compulsory, and in 1916  higher higher educationeducation  came to Siam with came to Siam with the founding ofthe founding of  Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn UniversityUniversity , which in time becam , which in time becam

e the seedbed of a new Siamese e the seedbed of a new Siamese intelligentsia. intelligentsia.

Bangkok became more and Bangkok became more and more the capital of the new more the capital of the new nation of Siamnation of Siam . . Rama VI's Rama VI's government began several government began several 'nation'nation--wide' development wide' development projects, despite the financial projects, despite the financial hardshiphardship . . New roads, New roads, bridges,bridges,  railwaysrailways,, hospitals hospitals  and and schools mushroomed throughout schools mushroomed throughout the country with national budget the country with national budget from Bangkokfrom Bangkok . .

King Vajiravudh's style of King Vajiravudh's style of government differed from that of government differed from that of his fatherhis father . . In the beginning of the In the beginning of the sixth reign, the king continued to sixth reign, the king continued to use his father's team and there use his father's team and there was no sudden break in the daily was no sudden break in the daily routine of governmentroutine of government . . Much of Much of the running of daily affairs was the running of daily affairs was therefore in the hands of therefore in the hands of experienced and competent menexperienced and competent men . .

Because of them, Siam owed Because of them, Siam owed many progressive steps, such many progressive steps, such as the development of a as the development of a national plan for the education national plan for the education of the whole populace, the of the whole populace, the setting up of clinics where free setting up of clinics where free vaccination was given against vaccination was given against smallpox, and the continuing smallpox, and the continuing expansion of railwaysexpansion of railways . .

However, senior posts were However, senior posts were gradually filled with members gradually filled with members of the King's coterie when a of the King's coterie when a vacancy occurred through vacancy occurred through death, retirement, or death, retirement, or resignationresignation . . By 1915, half the By 1915, half the cabinet consisted of new cabinet consisted of new facesfaces . .

World War IWorld War I

In 1917 Siam declared war In 1917 Siam declared war onon  German EmpireGerman Empire  andand  AustriaAustria--HungaryHungary , mainly to gain favour wit , mainly to gain favour wit

h the British and the French. Siam' h the British and the French. Siam' s token participation in World War s token participation in World War I secured it a seat at the I secured it a seat at the   Versailles Versailles

Peace Conference Peace Conference. .

ForeignMinisterForeignMinister  DevawongseDevawongse  used this opportunity to argue used this opportunity to argue for the repeal of the 19th for the repeal of the 19th century treaties and the century treaties and the restoration of full Siamese restoration of full Siamese sovereigntysovereignty . . The United States The United States obliged in 1920, while France obliged in 1920, while France and Britain delayed until 1925and Britain delayed until 1925 . .

Post World War IPost World War I

This victory gained the king This victory gained the king some popularity, but it was soon some popularity, but it was soon undercut by discontent over undercut by discontent over other issues, such as his other issues, such as his extravagance, which became extravagance, which became more noticeable when a sharp more noticeable when a sharp postwar recession hit Siam in postwar recession hit Siam in 19191919..

PatriarchyPatriarchy

There was also the fact that the There was also the fact that the king had no son. He also obviously king had no son. He also obviously preferred the company of men to preferred the company of men to women women ((a matter which of itself a matter which of itself did not much concern Siamese did not much concern Siamese opinion, but which did undermine opinion, but which did undermine the stability of the monarchy the stability of the monarchy because of the absence of heirsbecause of the absence of heirs ). ).

TransitionTransition

When Rama VI died suddenly When Rama VI died suddenly in 1925, aged only 44, the in 1925, aged only 44, the monarchy was already in a monarchy was already in a weakened stateweakened state . . He was He was succeeded by his younger succeeded by his younger brotherbrother  PrajadhipokPrajadhipok . .

Rama VII (1925 – 1935)Rama VII (1925 – 1935)

Rama VII or King Prachadhipok was Rama VII or King Prachadhipok was Rama VI's brotherRama VI's brother . . He changed He changed Siam's form of government from Siam's form of government from absolute monarchy to democracyabsolute monarchy to democracy . .This revolution developed the This revolution developed the constitutional monarchy along constitutional monarchy along British lines, with mixed military British lines, with mixed military and civilian group in powerand civilian group in power . .

Unlike his predecessor, the king Unlike his predecessor, the king diligently read virtually all state diligently read virtually all state papers from ministerial submissions papers from ministerial submissions to petitions by citizensto petitions by citizens . . Within half a Within half a year only one fourth of Vajiravhud's year only one fourth of Vajiravhud's ministers stayed on, the rest having ministers stayed on, the rest having been replaced by members of the been replaced by members of the royal familyroyal family . . On the one hand, these On the one hand, these appointments brought back men of appointments brought back men of talent and experience, on the other, talent and experience, on the other, it signaled a return to royal it signaled a return to royal oligarchyoligarchy . .

The initial legacy that Prajadhipok The initial legacy that Prajadhipok received from his elder brother received from his elder brother were problems of economywere problems of economy : : the the finances of the state were in finances of the state were in chaos, the budget heavily in chaos, the budget heavily in deficit, and the royal accounts an deficit, and the royal accounts an accountant's nightmare of debts accountant's nightmare of debts and questionable transactionsand questionable transactions . .Other countries were deep in Other countries were deep in thethe  Great DepressionGreat Depression  following following World War I did not help the World War I did not help the situation eithersituation either..

The first act of Prajadipok as The first act of Prajadipok as king entailed an institutional king entailed an institutional innovation intended to restore innovation intended to restore confidence in the monarchy confidence in the monarchy and government, the creation and government, the creation of theof the  Supreme Council of the Supreme Council of the StateState . .

This privy council was made u This privy council was made u p of a number of experienced p of a number of experienced

and extremely competent me and extremely competent me mbers of the royal family, inclu mbers of the royal family, inclu

ding the long time Minister of t ding the long time Minister of t he Interior (and Chulalongkorn he Interior (and Chulalongkorn

- 's right hand man) Prince Dam - 's right hand man) Prince Damrong.rong.

Gradually these princes arro Gradually these princes arro gated increasing power by m gated increasing power by m

onopolising all the main mini onopolising all the main mini sterial positions. Many of the sterial positions. Many of the

m felt it their duty to make a m felt it their duty to make a mends for the mistakes of th mends for the mistakes of th

e previous reign, but it was n e previous reign, but it was n ot generally appreciated. ot generally appreciated.

With the help of this council, the With the help of this council, the king managed to restore stability king managed to restore stability to the economy, although at a to the economy, although at a price of making a significant price of making a significant amount of the civil servants amount of the civil servants redundant and cutting the salary redundant and cutting the salary of those that remainedof those that remained . . This was This was obviously unpopular among the obviously unpopular among the officials, and was one of the officials, and was one of the trigger events for the coup of 1932trigger events for the coup of 1932 . .

Prajadhipok then turned his Prajadhipok then turned his attention to the question of attention to the question of future politics in Siamfuture politics in Siam . .Inspired by the British Inspired by the British example, the King wanted to example, the King wanted to allow the common people to allow the common people to have a say in the country's have a say in the country's affair by the creation of a affair by the creation of a parliamentparliament..

A proposed constitution was A proposed constitution was ordered to be drafted, but the ordered to be drafted, but the King's wishes were rejected King's wishes were rejected by by

his advisers, who felt that the his advisers, who felt that the population was not yet ready population was not yet ready for democracyfor democracy . .

In 1932, with the country deep in In 1932, with the country deep in depression, the Supreme Council depression, the Supreme Council opted to introduce cuts in official opted to introduce cuts in official spending, including the military spending, including the military budgetbudget . . The King foresaw that The King foresaw that these policies might create these policies might create discontent, especially in the discontent, especially in the army, and he therefore convened army, and he therefore convened a special meeting of officials to a special meeting of officials to explain why the cuts were explain why the cuts were necessarynecessary . .

Serious political disturbances Serious political disturbances were threatened in the capital, were threatened in the capital, and in April the king agreed to and in April the king agreed to introduce a constitution under introduce a constitution under which he would share power which he would share power with a prime ministerwith a prime minister . . This was This was not enough for the radical not enough for the radical elements in the army, howeverelements in the army, however . .

1932 Coup1932 Coup

On June 24, 1932, while the On June 24, 1932, while the king was holidaying at the king was holidaying at the seaside, the Bangkok garrison seaside, the Bangkok garrison mutinied and seized power, led mutinied and seized power, led by a group of 49 officers known by a group of 49 officers known as as "the Promoters". "the Promoters". Thus ended Thus ended 150 years of Siamese absolute 150 years of Siamese absolute monarchymonarchy..

General Phibul General Phibul SongkhramSongkhram At that time, Phibul At that time, Phibul

Songkhram was a key military Songkhram was a key military leader in the 1932 coupleader in the 1932 coup . . He He maintained his position and maintained his position and power from 1938 until the end power from 1938 until the end of World War IIof World War II..  

Rama VIII (1935 – Rama VIII (1935 – 1946)1946) Rama VIII or King Ananda Rama VIII or King Ananda

Mahidol, a nephew of Rama VII, Mahidol, a nephew of Rama VII, took the throne in 1935 but was took the throne in 1935 but was assassinated under mysterious assassinated under mysterious circumstances in 1946circumstances in 1946 . . His His brother King Bhumipol Aduldej brother King Bhumipol Aduldej succeeded as Rama IXsucceeded as Rama IX..  

Rama IX (Since 1946)Rama IX (Since 1946)

Under Rama IX's government, the Under Rama IX's government, the country's name was officially country's name was officially changed from changed from ""SiamSiam " " to to ""ThailandThailand " " in 1946 which was defined in in 1946 which was defined in

Thai as Thai as ""Prathet ThaiPrathet Thai"", the word , the word ""PrathetPrathet " " means means ""countrycountry " " and and the word the word ""ThaiThai " " means means ""freefree " "referring to the Thai racesreferring to the Thai races..    

VDOVDO

Correction: Land of Thailand Correction: Land of Thailand

AssignmentsAssignments

Select 1 essay from the book Select 1 essay from the book “Essays on Thailand” to present “Essays on Thailand” to present on Thursday 13on Thursday 13thth of June. (10 of June. (10 points) points)