Kingdom of Thailand Summary

[Kaiser Kirk]

Kingdom of Thailand
Founded: 1768
Government: Absolute Monarchy
Government Model: Historical Siam / Kingdom of Prussia 1784
Historical Departure Point(s): 1825, 1881
Historical Countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia
Friendly Power(s): Japan, Decca, Byzantium, (Parthia)
Hostile Powers(s): China, (Laksmanavati)

The Kingdom of Thailand is descended from the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Founded in 1350, it was one of the four early Thai kingdoms and lasted until 1569 when it was conquered by the Burmese Empire.
King Naresuen led a revolt in 1590 which freed Ayutthaya from the Burmese yoke and gathered the surrounding regions under his crown. Aware that they had fallen to the Burmese separately, and could fall to the Chinese, the Princes of the small regional states pledged nominal fealty to Naresun.  It was under his reign (1590-1605) that the current Kingdom of Thailand took form.

The joint navy diminished pirates, and commerce through the straits of Malacca soared, leading to great revenues at the Port of Malacca. The joint army and free internal trade led to great internal growth, and the "Golden Age" under King Narai (1657-1688).

A long period of wealth and prosperity ensued, but by the mid 1700s, the long peace had left the army and navy neglected. The Maratha-Laksmanavati wars had left Laksamavati devastated, and no longer a counterbalance for the Kingdom of Burma and the Kongbaung Dynasty. Fabricating an excuse, Burma invaded in 1766, defeated the Thai armies and lay siege to the Capital. By mid 1767, the Thais had to surrender. That Campaign season, Burma's troubles with China became full fledged war, and in 1768  King Taksin the Great led the revolt which gained independence once again for the heartland and the Kingdom of Thailand, while diminished, was reborn as the Kingdom of Thonburi in 1768. 

Only nine years later, under General Chakri, Thonburi attacked Burma to free northern Thailand, and were victorious in the war of 1775-76.  Thonburi then regained the Laos realms in 1778. Thonburi then turned to regain Cambodia from Vietnam in 1782. The population, weary of war, followed a usuper in revolt, and King Taksin was consigned to a Monastary.  General Chakri returned from Cambodia and defeated the usurpers forces. General Chakri found that King Taksin had perishedat the Monastary and so reluctantly took the throne as Rama I, moving the capital and declaring the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Kingdom of Thailand was soon attacked by Burma in 1785-86, but King Rama I was able to defeat the 9 Burmese armies in detail. One further invasion, after Rama I's death in 1809, was rebuffed. A long period of peace with Burma would follow, as during the 1800s, the Konbaung dynasty of Burma repeatedly clashed with a revitalized Laksamavati. This allowed the Kingdom of Thonburi freedom to reclaim it's lost Eastern and Southern Provinces.

1799, instability in Cambodia allowed for that state to be taken. The 1821 Siam reconquest of the Northern Malay Sultanate of Kedah was followed by the 1825 invasion of the southern Malay Sultanates and the reconquest of the vital port of Malacca. Thailand then adventured to the East, this led to the two 1831-34 and 1841-1845 Vietnam conflicts.

1868-1910  King Rama V took the throne. King Rama sought to modernize the Monarchy, and all aspects of Government, including the army. After a treaty with Laksamavati garunteed support, in 1881, a prepared Thai army engaged the Burmese, starting the 1881-82 war. When rains allowed, in 1882 Laksamavati declared.  The Burmese Empire came to terms, and saw the Kingdom of Thailand reclaimed it's lost provinces.  The 1882-85 Burmese-Laksamavati war saw the Burmese Empire destroyed. 

Since then, bordered by the larger powers of China and Laksamavati, King Rama steered a nuetral and isolationist course. China both by history and sheer size, is considered a threat to be placated and not provoked. While peace has been maintained with Laksamavati, and there are no historical claims, their land power makes them a threat. The recent expansion of larger powers, particularly the conqest of Sumatra by formerly friendly Parthia, is cause for concern despite long good relations. 

International trade is allowed at three ports of entry – Bangkok, Malacca, and Dawai, but foreigners are barred beyond those ports.

Naval Goals : The Thai fleet is dedicated to home defense, and near-Thai waters. The long seacoast is almost impossible to defend, and priority is put on the army and internal travel routes. Capability to protect it's own shores with coastal vessels, protect trade through the Malacca straits, and send warships to protect trade across the South China Sea.