A History of Thailand

Due to its unique history in Southeast Asia as the only state not formally colonized by Western powers, Thailand has long fascinated us. In order to learn more, we finally read A History of Thailand by Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker. Although early history receives a few short chapters in their study, focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, it is a rather comprehensive overview of Thailand's origins. Understanding the earlier eras in terms of mueangs, Tai-speakers, the Dvaravati culture, and the role of geography in shaping human societies of the region is incredibly important. The Ayutthaya era likewise merited attention, although far less than that accorded to the subject in Baker and Phongpaichit's monograph on Ayutthaya. The real meat and potatoes of this history is on the Bangkok era, when Bangkok developed into the royal and political capital of Siam. The 19th century changes which led to Siamese territorial expansion and the eventual adoption of colonial-style rule for administrative purposes, are the major developments of this important era. Siam's kings, such as Chulalongkorn, championed themselves as the necessary rulers for Siam to develop and be modern while retaining Thai values and traditions. 

Gradually, by the 1930s, the military emerged into greater significance, culminating in what may be fairly considered a fascist or pro-fascist regime led by Phibun. Democratization and liberalism were never really the goal and the state eventually fell to military generals who exploited their positions to siphon US funding during the Cold War or entered into alliances with the oligarchy and business elites. The business elite, often of Chinese origins, soon became a major factor in politics through their unholy alliance with the military or the royalists. Throughout the 20th and early 21st century, Thailand's often tumultuous politics revealed cleavages in the nation based on region, class, Cold War regional politics, attitudes toward liberalism, the interests of the peasantry, and globalization or development. Numerous coups, outbreaks of violence, and corruption or abuse of political power to accrue wealth have continued to plague the nation. Despite its middle-income status and the transformation of Bangkok into a global city, Thailand remains in political uncertainty. The monarchy has been of great importance yet Baker and Phongpaichit's book ends with a short overview of the Shinawatra years and the youthful protest movement opposed to the military junta and the monarchy. Despite its past ties to military generals or big-money interests, the monarchy managed to regain its status as the moral arbiter of the nation for the urban middle-class. 

In some respects, Thailand's modern history reminds us of Ethiopia. Like Ethiopia, Siam avoided formal European colonialism. Both pursued modernization through monarchical government systems and unfair European semi-colonial relations. Thailand, however, has been more successful with long-term economic development, although some of this may reflect the importance of Thailand as a bulwark against communism during the Cold War and the strategic and economic importance of Southeast Asia. Both countries also experienced moments of authoritarian governments when the monarchy was sidelined or, in the case of Ethiopia, totally overthrown. Through their unequal status with the Western powers during the age of imperialism and the adoption of colonial-style administrative practices, both nations were not able to develop their resources in a manner favorable to industrialization and the well-being of the peasantry. That said, Thailand's location in Southeast Asia and the influence of Japanese, Chinese, and Western states in its economy, labor, and export potential did eventually lead to some economic development. Ethiopia, like Thailand, also has the experience of regional (and ethnic) conflicts but without the same degree of ethnic conflict.