ABSTRACT
The Bowring Treaty represented a watershed in Thai history: From the time of the treaty on, Siam was increasingly integrated into an international order dominated by Western powers. Rice became the major export product of the country, and that commodity continues to generate a significant proportion of foreign exchange for Thailand. Some villagers, especially in northeastern Thailand where peasants were only marginally involved in a cash economy, continued, however, to produce silk. The Phaya Phap rebellion of 1889-1890 proved to be a relatively minor incident compared to the large-scale uprising that took place in northeastern Thailand in 1901-1902. The peoples of northeastern Thailand had, prior to the reforms of 1892, been only indirectly ruled by the Siamese court. The extension of primary education to the vast majority of Thai communities should be counted as perhaps the most notable accomplishment of the Phahon governments.
