EUROPEAN COLONISATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: HOW THAILAND ESCAPED THE FATE OF ITS NEIGHBOURS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/3rge5419Keywords:
Southeast Asia, European Colonisation, Thailand, King Chulalongkorn, King Mongkut, Modernisation, Social ReformAbstract
Southeast Asia is considered as one of the most important strategic locations coupled with the availability of abundant natural resources. It was indeed the stories of the spice islands and existence of the prosperous trade routes that served as a primary factor for attracting European colonisers. The colonisation process which began from the 16th century, where the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, British, and French arrived in the region seeking wealth, fame and the spread of Christianity. They gradually captured most Southeast Asian countries through military force, trade companies and treaties, reshaping local politics, economies and societies. Before European colonisation in Southeast Asia, the region was home to various powerful kingdoms such as the Khmer Empire, Pagan Empire, Srivijaya, Majapahit, Melaka and Ayutthaya. In the meantime, these powers have declined due to the arrival of Europeans resulting to the Portuguese taking over of Malacca in 1511, which was followed by Dutch control in Indonesia, British rule in Burma and Malaya and French dominance in Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos). However, in the midst of all these Thailand (then Siam) remain an exception. It was the only country in the region that successfully escaped European colonisation. This article tries to explores the European colonisation of Southeast Asia with a focus to how Thailand could retain its sovereignty. Especially the Thai aspects concerning the diplomatic skills, administrative reforms in areas of education, law, military, infrastructure, and finance particularly of the two rulers, Chulalongkorn and Mongkut, and also the favourable location of Thailand are delved with.
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