ABSTRACT
Different forces, factors, and groups assume variable relevance at successive stages in Thai history. For this reason, treatment of the issue will be chronological: Thai history will be divided into the three “modernization” periods, and the various sociopolitical processes relevant to each will be discussed. In the first period, commencing with Thailand’s entry into sustained contact with the West in the 1850’s and lasting until roughly the turn of the century. Internal Thai policy-making in virtually every sphere of administration was constrained or influenced by an international context which presented the elite with very real fears for Thailand’s continued sovereignty. Decision-making focused on doing anything and everything necessary to maintain statehood. During the second period, Thai independence was secure. The final period comprises the most decades of Thai history. This period was marked by an inter-regional conflict that reflected popular dissatisfaction with the “outcomes” of the programs of earlier years.
