The study of Thai history takes me to the next chapter. The two questions that were on my mind were, first, “how did Thailand manage not to be colonized by any European powers during the 18^th and 19^th centuries?” Second, “how did Thailand survive World War II?”

The Chakri Dynasty

After the fall of the Ayutthaya kingdom, a brief period of ruling by General Taksin followed. The Thonburi period ended soon, as General Chao Phraya Chakri overthrew Taksin. Chakri, who was pivotal in stalling off Burmese advances, made himself king as Rama I. In 1782 the Chakri dynasty would embark upon the era of modernization. It is known as the Rattanakosin era of Thai history, with Bangkok as the capital. The ten monarchs of the Chakri dynasty have ruled Thailand in unbroken succession since.

Efforts of Modernization by the Chakri Dynasty Rulers

Perhaps Thailand did not struggle so much in holding on to the isolationist policies against western powers as with the other nations in Asia (such as China and Japan). Even in Thailand’s premodern history, there were consistent efforts by different kingdoms to engage in diplomacy with the powers of the world. The isolationist policy that spanned about a century prior to the Chakri dynasty was a result of the Phaulkon affair, where a foreigner Phaulkon rose to power as King Narai’s top advisor. His plot to install a puppet king under his control was eventually dispelled, leading to his excruciating death in 1688.

The first few Chakri monarchs held on to a basic isolationist policy, but at once recognizing the need to modernize the country by trade, economy and governance. The printed press and newspapers became available in Thailand during this time. Portugal, Britain and the United States managed to secure more trading rights in this period too.

Bangkok thrived in this period. Rama I chose Bangkok as the capital of the Chakri dynasty for its exceptional geographical endowment and the strategic advantages with which it came. “With the Chao Phraya River from the north passing along the western and southern sides to empty into the Gulf of Thailand; branches of the river also formed double rings around the city-island. Faced with the continuing Burmese threat, such a strategic location was then a necessity.” (factsanddetails.com)

Siam in Face of Colonial Powers

In the sources that I have come across, there was a consensus that Thailand remained uncolonized during the peak of western imperialism because of the strong centralized rulers that played off, and benefited from, the rivalry between the two great western powers that were eyeing the bounty of Southeast Asia. At the time, Britain had Burma and Malaysia; France had Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Rama IV and Rama V would emerge as the heroic leaders of Siam that led the nation through the complex web of international relations and palpable threats to their sovereignty posed by western powers.

Rama IV — The Father of Thai Science

Rama IV, also known as King Mongkut, was a scholar king. In his early years, his father Roma II sent him to monkhood, during which time he garnered exceptional knowledge in matters of science, language and religions (including Christianity). King Mongkut would accede to the throne and navigate the deep waters of rising threats to Siam from the west.

King Mongkut introduced reforms in culture and technology, and hired teachers to teach English and western subjects to his children. In particular, he promoted geography and astronomy.

In terms of treaties with the west, the Bowring Treaty would present a turning point in Bangkok’s trajectory of development. Then Hong Kong Governor Bowring represented Britain in concluding this treaty. The treaty abolished the Thai royalty’s monopoly to engage in foreign trade. The treasury could no longer benefit from hefty revenues from duties. But this has liberalized trade and opened up Bangkok’s commoner markets to foreign trade.

Such similar treaties were concluded with other world powers, including France, the United States, and other European countries. With increased rice and sugar production to meet the new demands for foreign trade, Bangkok’s economy took off. This had in turn resulted in significant improvements in infrastructure in Rama V’s time.

King Mongkut is the king featured in the Broadway show The King and I. The same story served as the plot for the movie Anna and the King. Anna Leonowens was a British governess that taught the royal harem with King Mongkut’s approval. What happened in the Broadway show and the movie, however, were said to be much fictionalized.

Rama V — The Most Influential Thai Monarch

Even today, the Thai people revere King Chulalongkorn, as Rama V. King Mongkut himself groomed King Chulalongkorn since a young age. The young prince observed how his father ruled in the royal court. He also received classical Thai training and western training for his education. Anna Leonowens was his teacher.

The 42-year reign of Rama V would usher in a golden era despite the looming threats of western imperialism. Under his rule, Siam was further opened to foreign trade. He employed foreign advisors, abolished slavery gradually, re-centralized power in the provincial regions, modernized all lines of government administration, overhauled the tax system, observed the freedom of religion, and he had indeed done so much more in education and infrastructure as well.

Needless to say, even for Siam, a country that was accustomed to and at times welcomed foreign involvement in critical matters of government, these reforms were radical. Rama V managed to suppress a revolt by the conservatives against his initiatives during the early years of his reign. He slowly consolidated the ruling power, to be exercised by the royal family only.

The Reason Why Siam Held on to it Sovereignty

At the height of western imperialism in the 19^th century, Siam stood as the lone country that was not colonized in Southeast Asia due to King Mongkut’s decisive move to invite foreign presence in Siam. His son King Chulalongkorn extended this legacy further. Both kings took it upon themselves to manage diplomatic relationships.

The decades-long effort by both kings projected Siam as a country that embraced the liberalism of the west. Like King Mongkut, King Chulalongkorn understood fully that the key to survival was to forge “friendships with benefits” with the west. By offering opportunities to businesses and missionaries, Siam could hang on to the sliver of sovereignty and independence that, by his time, had been torn asunder in Siam’s fallen neighbors.

The paradox was that, because all western powers managed to score gains from free trade in Siam, no one could lay exclusive claim on the country either. This power play was especially relevant to the contentious relationships between Britain and France at that time. By Rama V’s reign, Siam had managed to position itself as the physical and symbolic buffer wedged between the colonized neighbors. It neutralized the rivalry of these two western powers.

That is not to say that Siam was not affected by colonialization at all.  Where the borders of the country were not clear, they were lost to Britain and France in neighboring Burma and Laos respectively. Siam preserved the king’s stronghold in Bangkok, but many parts of its territory were subject to foreign influence and control, not unlike the concession areas in Shanghai and Guangdong of China.

Sources

Thailandembassy.org on Thailand History.

www.thethailandlife.com on A Brief History of Thailand.

The Wikipedia on History of Thailand.

The Wikipedia on Mongkuk.

Factsanddetails.com on Chakri Dynasty and Kings Mongkut (Rama IV) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V).