Chapter One - From Dynastic to “National History”

Summary

The modern territorial nation and linear history have an intimate relationship. Indeed, one might say that they co-produce each other as the principal mode of belonging in the twentieth century. Individuals learn to identify with nation-states that have supposedly evolved over a long history to reach the self-conscious unity of the two and are thus poised to acquire mastery over the future.

Prasenjit Duara, 1998

Introduction: The Dynastic History of Siam

Few instruments of power are as vital for the modern Thai state as the idea of a bounded nation-state and its corresponding history. To understand nationalism and nation-building in modern Siam, it is therefore crucial to look at how present-day national Thai History was achieved. The official history of Thailand is taught in schools and colleges as a ceaseless forward march of the nation, beginning in ancient times when the Thai people lived in China. The golden age of the mighty Kingdom of Nan Chao (Nanzhao) which they had established in Yunnan, was followed by a mighty fall and swift resurrection.

Driven out by the Mongols, the Thais entered mainland Southeast Asia. By the thirteenth century, they had established their first kingdom after freeing themselves from the yoke of the Khmer of Angkor. The Kingdom of Sukhothai was ruled by the benevolent hero-kings Si Intrathit (?1240s–?1270s) and Ramkhamhaeng (?1279–1298), who brought the Thais another golden age.

In 1351, the second kingdom was founded by King Uthong in the city of Ayutthaya. It remained the main centre of the Thais for more than 400 years, governed by another set of hero-kings (aided by very few women) such as Naresuan (1590–1605) and Narai (1656–88), until, in 1767, Ayutthaya was defeated and sacked by the Burmese. The Thais successfully fought back.

After the defeat of the eternal enemy from the West came the last and present Kingdom of Rattanakosin/Bangkok with ten great King Ramas of the Chakri Dynasty. Siam preserved her independence and became modern during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (1868–1910) who was followed, two generations later, by another great modernizer who steered Thailand through a troublesome time of change, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927–2016).

Following this national history of Siam, the story of Siam’s geo-body, as Thongchai Winichakul’s Siam Mapped (1994) deemed it, would appear neatly woven, linear, progressive, and easily traced back through lines of kings, dynasties and kingdoms.