Thai History, Midterms
Week 1, Introduction
Q: Why was the Chao Phraya Basin a significant area in pre-modern Thailand?
Home to most cities and towns
Land was very arable
Important resources included trees and minerals
Flashcard 2:
Q: What are the key turning points in the development of pre-modern Thailand?
A:
c. 2000 BCE — Agricultural Age (rice growing)
c. 1250-1000 BCE — Bronze Age (development of tools)
c. 500 BCE — Iron Age (pottery, vases, etc.)
Q: What was the most important resource in pre-modern Thailand despite its unpopulated areas?
The people themselves (manpower became the main source of power)
Q: What role did religion play in pre-modern Thailand?
Dominated by Hindu-Buddhist civilizations
Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism exist today
Indianization of Southeast Asia led to Brahmins in power
Q: Which ethnic groups influenced the cultural landscape of what is now Thailand?
Tai and Thai immigrants
Mon-Khmer people (occupied northern Thailand and surrounding regions)
Q: What is Wyatt's Tai Century, and what significance does it have?
Defined as the period from c. 1200-1350 during which the Tai dominated the region
Marked decline of older powers like Angkor and Bagan
Emergence of kingdoms such as Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and Sri Satchanalai
Week 2, Sukhothai and Early Ayutthaya
Q: When did Tai communities begin settling in Southeast Asia?
13th century
Influenced by Khmer-dominated architecture
Q: What are the debated origins of Sukhothai?
Pho Khun Pha Mueang and Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao broke free from the Khmer (c. late 1230s-1240s)
“Phra Ruang” legends
Historians in the late 1900s recognized Sukhothai as the first Thai Kingdom
Q: How did Sukhothai interact with contemporaneous kingdoms?
Coexisted with Lanna (Chiang Mai) and Phayao
Alleged pact among kings to combat Mongol invasions
Q: What territorial claims did King Ramkamhaeng make?
Authority over Luang Prabang and the Malay Peninsula
Claims not confirmed as territorial control
Misinterpretation of Sukhothai’s extent on maps
Q: What topics do Sukhothai's inscriptions primarily cover?
Religion and religious donations
Not many historical narratives compared to Ayutthaya
Notable exceptions include discussions on kingship and community life
Q: What does Inscription No.1 reveal?
Kingship and the king's relationship with the land and people
Prosperity of the kingdom with resources like water and rice
Controversial authenticity regarding language and content
Q: Why is Inscription No.1 controversial?
Inconsistencies in narrative perspective
Questions about the alphabet's creation and linguistic authenticity
Theories about forgery by King Mongkut for historical pedigree
Q: What arguments support the authenticity of Inscription No.1?
Language is authentically Sukhothai, not Thai
Possible multiple authors explaining perspective changes
Damage over time could alter original text
Theories of later authorship by King Lithai
Q: What does the inscription reveal about Sukhothai's economy?
Mention of a prosperous agricultural society
Freedom from taxes for commoners
Infrastructure supporting trade
Q: What factors contributed to Sukhothai's decline?
Pressure from southern kingdoms (Suphannaphum, Ayutthaya)
Banned trade during the Ming Gap impacting ceramics trade
Other SEA kingdoms thrived in ceramics post-Sukhothai
Q: What was Sukhothai's influence on Buddhism and trade?
Promoted Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka
Established trade links with China
Cultural and religious artistic developments
Q: How did Ayutthaya rise in power relative to Sukhothai?
Gained prominence while Sukhothai still existed
Wealth from maritime trade rather than agriculture
Strategic geographic advantages
Q: What are theories regarding King Uthong’s origins?
Possibly from Lawo, Phetchaburi, or Chiang Saen
Some suggest Chinese descent
Q: How did Ayutthaya’s territorial expansion affect Sukhothai?
Encroachment on Sukhothai from 1370s-1430s
Complete takeover after 1438
Q: What influences can be seen in Ayutthaya due to its maritime power?
Chinese and Arabic influences evident
Significant treasures found related to Buddha
Week 3, Ayutthaya; Politics and Society
Q: What is the concept of sakdina in Ayutthaya society?
Initially related to the number of rice fields (rai)
Evolved to signify social ranking and manpower
Explored in De La Luvbere's work on Thai law (Three Seals Law)
Q: What are the four levels of the sakdina system?
Chao: Royalty, headed by the king
Subcategories: chaofa, phra ong chao, mom chao
Khunnang: Officials with significant personnel (around 400)
Phrai: Free men, divided into:
Phrai luang: Served king as soldiers/laborers
Phrai som: Retainers/servants of officials
Phrai suai: Tribute senders from distant areas
That: Slaves, captured or sold into slavery
Q: Who were the sangha in Ayutthaya society?
Buddhist monks not classified as slaves
Could be special for family
Tests imposed to prevent abuse of status during wartime
Q: How could individuals change their status in the sakdina system?
Men: Achieve hero status in war or literacy (becoming samiang)
Women: Elevation through royal inclusion or engaging in trade
Descension possible due to political mishaps or royal whims
Q: What reforms did King Trailok implement in the sakdina system?
Reformed laws into two entities: krom (samuha nayok and samuha kalahom)
Aimed to address inequalities and control human resources
Encoded hierarchy amidst trade revenue extraction
Q: How was kingship viewed in Ayutthaya?
Chao phaendin viewed as avatars of Vishnu and Indra
Laws based on the Ten Kingly Virtues from thammasat
Kingship not absolute; power distributed through mandala system
Q: What are the Ten Kingly Virtues?
Almsgiving, morality, liberality, rectitude, gentleness
Self-restraint, non-anger, non-violence, forbearance, non-obstruction
Additional rules for monarchs: knowledge of food organization, people, winning hearts, and gentle words
Q: What issues arose regarding royal succession in Ayutthaya?
Confusion over succession laws led to political conflict
Usurpation common; anyone could declare themselves king if successful
Example: King Songtham’s usurpation in 1628-1629
Q: What happened during the usurpation of King Somtham?
Somtham lay dying; power contested
Phra Si Sin became a monk but was captured and executed
Phra Chetthathirat succeeded but was overthrown by a child king, Phra Athityawong
Q: Who were the key figures in King Somtham's usurpation?
Okya Kalahom: Commoner, leading courtier, gained power
Yamada Nagamasa: Coup leader, later poisoned
Okya Phrakhlang and Okya Kamphaengphet: Friends of Kalahom, eliminated as rivals
Q: What changes did King Prasatthong implement after his rise?
Revamped the sakdina system to prevent usurpations
Eliminated rivals and centralized power in Ayutthaya
Established a police state for control
Q: How did Ayutthaya engage in warfare?
Fought against Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Lan Na, and Malay States
Motivations: Human resources, plundering, economic gain
Traditional warfare involved infantry and elephants
13
Q: What technological changes occurred in warfare during the 16th century?
Introduction of European technology: muskets, cannons
Construction of fortifications and European-style ships
Q: What is notable about King Naresuan’s duel?
Key event during wars against Burma
Liberated Ayutthaya by defeating the Burmese crown prince
Historical accounts vary, only the victory is widely agreed upon
Week 4, Ayutthaya as a Center of International Trade
Q: What contributed to Ayutthaya becoming a major port city?
Natural resources: forests, mountains, seas
Regular monsoon winds facilitated trade
Extensive network of commodities and trade routes
Q: What were the main sea and overland trade routes for Ayutthaya?
Sea Routes:
Gulf of Siam: pepper and tin
Bay of Bengal & Indian Ocean: textiles via Mergui and Tenasserim
Overland Routes:
More expensive due to taxes and protection
Example: Lanchang via Phitsanulok (gold and benzoin from Lao traders)
Q: What characterized Ayutthaya during "The Age of Commerce" (c. 1450-1680)?
Thriving spice trade with Western countries
Appearance: multiple villages rather than dense urban centers like London or Paris
Q: What were the main commodities of Siam?
Exports:
Forest products (eaglewood, ivory), rayskins, tin, rice (not major)
Imports:
Japanese silver, copper, Indian and Chinese textiles, Chinese ceramics
Q: How did trade with China function?
Tribute required to the Emperor before trade
Siamese viewed tribute as a show of wealth
Post-1680s: Qing lifted trade bans, leading to Chinese immigration
Q: What was the impact of Japanese trade on Ayutthaya?
Trade increased post-Japanese Civil War
Two migrant groups: European missionaries and rōnin (mercenaries)
Sakoku decree in the 1630s limited trade to Chinese and Dutch
Q: How did the Malays interact with Ayutthaya?
Sultanates (Pattani, Kedah) sent tributes and goods
Trade involved pepper and rattan for rice and provisions
Q: What role did Indians and Persians play in Ayutthaya trade?
Brought textiles from Mergui and Phuket
Some became officials (e.g., Bunnag family)
Traded under the krom that khwa for the King
Q: What drove European interest in Ayutthaya trade?
Sought spices and goods to avoid Venetian high prices
Aimed to access Cathay (China) for trade opportunities
Q: What was the role of the Portuguese in Ayutthaya?
Arrived via Melaka (1511), established treaty (1516)
Introduced firearms, served in Siamese army
Brought Catholicism and established churches along the Chao Phraya
Q: How did the Dutch influence trade in Ayutthaya?
Arrived in 1604, monopolized animal skin and commodity trade
Established long trading relationships but faced tensions with Siam
Blockade incident in 1663 led to loss of Siam's extraterritorial powers
Q: What challenges did the English face in Ayutthaya?
Limited importance compared to other Europeans
Established trading post (1612-1615; 1674-1685)
Failed due to corruption, competition, and issues with EIC
Q: What interactions did the French have with Ayutthaya?
Contact established in 1662 during King Louis XIV’s reign
Failed to convert King Narai due to mistranslations
Sent troops to enforce conversion amid political upheaval
Q: What were the post-1688 trade dynamics in Ayutthaya?
Emphasis on withdrawing foreign contacts but continued trade with China
Decreased European interactions due to external pressures
Q: What were the consequences of foreign trade on Ayutthaya?
Expanded commercial and diplomatic horizons
Increased wealth for elites through maritime trade
Integration of foreigners into cultural representations
Week 5, Thonburi and Early Bangkok
Q: What are some interpretations of Ayutthaya's decline?
Royal Chronicles blame Baan Phu Luang dynasty for political conflicts
Modern interpretations cite Burmese Expansion under King Alaungpaya
Possible lack of technology as a contributing factor
Q: What were the consequences of Ayutthaya's fall in 1767?
Political and economic breakdown
Captives sent to Burma; many killed
Land became infertile, leading to famine
Political vacuum created five centers of power
Q: Who was King Taksin and what did he achieve?
Mid-1770s: rallied forces from Chantaburi and Rayong
Drove Burmese from Ayutthaya
Established royal seat at Thonburi, important for sea access
Faced legitimacy questions; chosen for leadership ability, not royal blood
Q: What actions did King Taksin take to secure Siam?
Purchased weapons and rice
Conquered Ha Tien port city (1771)
Conducted various types of warfare:
War of Expansion
War of Plunder
Wars for trade routes and resources
Q: How did King Taksin interact with the Chinese community?
Chinese served as traders, middlemen, soldiers, and courtiers
Royal Chronicles mainly recognized Chinese kunnangs
Sought recognition from Qing China; received it late in his reign
Q: What led to King Taksin’s demise?
Claimed super-religious power; monks defrocked and punished
Rebellion by Phraya San during army's absence in Cambodia
Sentenced to death by Chaophraya Chakri on April 6, 1782
Various theories about his mental state and removal
Q: How did David Wyatt describe Taksin’s efforts in reconstructing Siam?
Called it an “abortive reconstruction”
Remarkable quick reconstruction under Taksin despite his overthrow
Taksin seen as an “outsider” with no royal blood
Q: Who was King Rama I and what were his contributions?
Chaophraya Chakri, Taksin’s right-hand man, became King Rama I
Focused on state reconstruction: buildings, laws, literature
Established Bangkok as royal city
Implemented Kotmai Tra Sam Duang (Three Seals Code)
Q: What challenges did King Rama I face during his reign?
Continuous threats from Burma, notably the "Nine Armies War"
Ensured Cambodia remained under Siamese suzerainty
Q: Describe King Rama II’s approach to governance.
Delegated work to khunnangs and his son, Prince Chetsadabodhi
Became a notable poet during the age of Sunthon Phu
Royal court was diverse, influenced by khunnang families
Q: Who was King Rama III and how was he viewed?
Most experienced son of King Rama II
Viewed as conservative, resistant to Western influence
Interest in Western technology from family members, especially Prince Mongkut
Q: What significant events occurred during King Rama III's reign?
Bangkok became more rational and cosmopolitan
Restoration of Wat Pho; inscriptions termed a “university in stone”
Declines of neighboring countries: China (First Opium War) and Burma (First Anglo-Burmese War)
Week 6, The Challenge of the West
Q: What characterized the reigns of King Rama IV and King Rama V in Siam?
Described as a “difficult time” by historian Wyatt
Political, economic, and cultural challenges from the West
Kings considered reforms to westernize and avoid colonization
Recognition of the West's scientific and industrial powers
Q: Who was King Mongkut (Rama IV) and what was his background?
Half-brother of King Rama III
Ascended the throne at age 47
Unique for traveling extensively rather than staying in the palace
First Siamese king to be photographed
Spent half his life as a monk; appointed younger brother as ‘second king’
Q: What role did the Bunnag family play during King Rama IV's reign?
Dominant in the administration, controlling all krom
Chaophraya Si Suriyawong was a key minister
Content with their positions; acted as kingmakers from Rama IV to Rama V
Q: How did King Rama IV reform Buddhism?
Focused on improving how Buddhism was taught
Worked to reduce superstitions in old practices
Spread reforms notably at Wat Bowonniwet
Q: What was the impact of missionaries in Siam during this period?
Missionaries aimed to westernize Siam since the Ayutthaya period
Dan Beach Bradley was influential, introducing the printing press and medicine
Engaged in debates with King Rama IV on topics like polygamy and slavery
Q: What were the Western demands regarding Siam’s trade and legal systems?
Viewed Siam’s commercial and legal systems as corrupt
Demanded free trade and extraterritorial rights
Proposed economic theories like mercantilism and laissez-faire
Siam's resistance hindered more extensive trading with the West
Q: What significant events occurred regarding the Kedah problem with the British?
Siamese troops invaded Kedah; British intervened
John Crawfurd (1822) failed to negotiate trade reductions
Henry Burney (1826) successfully concluded a treaty increasing trade
Western ships increased presence in Siam after the Burney Treaty
Q: What was the Bowring Treaty of 1855?
Sir John Bowring negotiated under duress from British naval power
Ended royal monopoly system favoring free trade
Included provisions for foreign trial rights and opened Siam to similar treaties
Impacted crown revenue; shifted dependency to taxes on gambling and opium
Q: How did King Rama IV respond to the Bowring Treaty?
Sought to renegotiate; successful repeal in 1932 under King Rama VII
Sent embassies to foreign courts to prevent future unfavorable treaties
Q: How did King Rama IV view French influence in Southeast Asia?
Noted French expansion in Vietnam and Cambodia
Criticized King Norodom of Cambodia for French influence
Q: What reforms did King Rama IV implement to modernize Siam?
Established a police force
Reformed education to include English and Western culture
Published a royal gazette for laws and commands
Developed new infrastructure, especially roads in Bangkok
Q: What was the significance of Anna Leonowens' experience in Siam?
Served as an English tutor to King Rama IV’s children
Her experiences were published in a book, later adapted into a musical and Hollywood film
King Rama V criticized her portrayal of his father
Week 7, Siam in the Age of King Chulalongkorn
Q: What happened after the death of King Rama IV in 1868?
A:
Died of malaria
Prince Chulalongkorn also contracted malaria
Bunnag family retained power
Chaophraya Si Suriyawong chose King Rama V
Prince Wichaichan became wang na (Front Palace) prince
Q: Describe the reign of King Rama V.
Tense and reform-oriented
Combined Western influences with traditional Buddhist morals
Influenced by Western teachers, including Anna Leonowens
Had two coronations: 1868 (selection) and 1873 (ascension)
Q: What reforms did King Rama V implement after his second coronation?
Abolished prostration in royal presence
Began moving towards abolition of slavery
Created conflict with Prince Wichaichan and the wang na
Q: What was the Front Palace crisis (1874-1875)?
Mutual suspicion between King Rama V and Prince Wichaichan
Prince sought refuge at the British Consulate
King appealed to British and French for resolution
Crisis halted King’s reforms temporarily
Q: Who became the heir apparent after Prince Wichaichan's death?
Crown Prince Vajirunhi, son of Queen Savang Vadhana
Crown Prince Vajirunhi died in 1895
Succession passed to Queen Saovapha Phongsri with Prince Vajiravudh (future King Rama VI)
Q: What was the princes' petition of 1885?
11 young princes suggested moving to a constitutional monarchy
Desired freedom of expression and Europeanization
King Rama V felt doubted and stressed the need for public education
Q: What reforms did King Rama V continue despite rejecting the princes' petition?
Established Western-style ministries
Reformed ministries into 12 modern ones in 1892
Introduced Monthon thesaphiban for better provincial governance
Expected to double national revenue
Q: What roles did princes play in integrating previously independent areas?
Prince Bidyalabh integrated Chiang Mai
Prince Prachak quickly integrated Nongkhai due to Western interest
Q: Describe the financial reforms in Siam during King Rama V's reign.
Shifted to a money economy post-Bowring Treaty
Separated foreign affairs from finance in 1885
Established the first commercial bank: Siam Commercial Bank
Q: What infrastructural changes occurred during King Rama V's reign?
Established a telegraph network
Built railways connecting Bangkok to Paknam and Nakhon Ratchasima
Developed roads, trams, and motor vehicles
Improved medicine, hygiene, and irrigation systems
Q: What led to the abolition of slavery during King Rama V's reign?
Power wrested from old elites like the Bunnag family
System became unviable due to paid labor from immigrants, especially Chinese
Q: Who were key figures in King Rama V's reforms?
Prince Damrong and Prince Devawongse for unification
Foreign advisors like Gustave Rolin Jacquemyns and E.H. Strobel
Non-neutral advisors like C. Rivett-Carnac for finance
Q: What territorial losses did Siam face under King Rama V?
Conflict with British and French over Laos
Paknam Incident of 1893 forced King to cede Laos to France
Siam paid 3 million francs to France
Total land ceded to Western powers (1893-1910): 456,000 square kilometers
Q: What military reforms were implemented during King Rama V's reign?
Established a standing army along Western lines
Founded Military and Naval Colleges
Implemented conscription law in 1905
Q: Describe the educational reforms during King Rama V's reign.
Focus on modern education for citizens and officials
Training for civil servants at Civil Service College
Scholarships for studying abroad to expose individuals to Western ideas
Q: How did King Rama V's travels impact his rule?
Travelled incognito around Siam
Visits to Western colonies and Europe for diplomatic purposes
Memoir "Klai Ban" reflects his thoughts on modernization and aspirations for Siam
Q: What was the significance of King Rama V’s reforms in Siamese history?
Transitioned Siam to a modern state while retaining sovereignty
A watershed moment in Siamese history, influencing future governance
Q: What overarching themes characterized the changes in Siam from Sukhothai to King Chulalongkorn?
Increased complexity of kingship and governance
Evolution of social structures and economy
Influence of external factors balanced by internal dynamics
Depiction of foreigners as "mara" despite openness