ABSTRACT
Thailand is unique among its ASEAN neighbors for several reasons. Thai political and social life; and it has the longest land borders with the largest number of neighbors of any of the ASEAN states. Until 1932 the Thai monarchy ruled without significant constitutional restraints, though several modernizing kings set up advisory bodies intended to encourage broader participation in government. The unifying influence of the monarchy provides one of the most significant counterweights to the forces that strain the fabric of Thai society. Thailand has always succeeded in coping with internal and external crises by pragmatic ad hoc adjustments to meet new situations. If it can be said that much of Britain's illustrious history must be attributed to its genius for "muddling through," then certainly the same can be said for Thailand. Britain's decision to withdraw its forces east of Suez necessitated new defense arrangements and significant economic readjustments to compensate for the loss of British bases in Singapore.
