Manusya, Journal of Humanities
Publication Date
2023
Abstract
The nationalist plot of modern Thai history stresses the kingdom’s exceptionalism as the only un-colonized state in Southeast Asia and highlights the steadiness of unbroken monarchy. Critics of the established narrative by contrast argue that Siam/Thailand bore many similarities to neighboring satellites of the Western powers that subordinated traditional authority and hence was a “semi-colony” of the West rather than a truly independent state. This paper argues that the semi-colonial view remains a better frame to study modern Thai history and that semi-coloniality produced a hybrid political culture among an educated new generation born around 1900. The young generation forged the popular struggles that after the 1932 end of the absolute monarchy sought to build a more fair and equitable society. These aspirations and the hybrid political culture of the time are a crucial but often overlooked part of modern Thai history.
DOI
10.1163/26659077-26010020
First Page
1
Last Page
15
Recommended Citation
Subrahmanyan, Arjun
(2023)
"Liberating Thai History : The Thai Past in an Asian Century,"
Manusya, Journal of Humanities: Vol. 26:
No.
1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.1163/26659077-26010020
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/manusya/vol26/iss1/2