The adaptation to modernity of the modern Thai elite during the reign of King Rama III and the reign of King Rama IV (1824-1868 A.D.)

Abstract

This thesis aims to study the adaptation to modernity of the modern Thai elite during the reigns of King Rama III and King Rama IV, which was the period that the Western countries expended their power around Southeast Asian region through colonialism. The group under study was the modern Thai elite who had important role in country administration and showed that they were interested in Western learning, and showed the adaptation to modernity quite obviously. The study found that the adaptation to modernity of the modern Thai elite was caused by both internal factors (family status, educational background, interest in Western knowledge and culture, and position); and external factors (the coming of the Protestant missionaries and the expansion of Western colonialism). Moreover, the processes of the adaptation could be divided into three steps; 1) taking an interest in Western knowledge, 2) selecting to receive only the Western knowledge that appropriate for themselves and the country, and 3) acquisition and practice that knowledge seriously until they could adapt and apply it to use with themselves and the country. The adaptation to modernity of the modern Thai elite during these reigns brought about a lot of better changes to both the modern Thai elite and the country. It was the first step of Thai acceptance and practice of Western knowledge and culture. It was also the starting point to the age of reformation in the fifth reign. Importantly, it was one of the key factors of the maintenance of country's independence during the reign of King Rama III and the reign of King Rama IV.