Routledge - The Rise and Decline of Thai Absolutism: 22

Explore the transformation of Thailand through this scholarly study from Routledge. This book tracks the nation's development from the early nineteenth century, when Siam first integrated into the European world economy, through its emergence as a modern nation state in the twentieth century. A significant portion of this work focuses on the reign of King Chulalongkorn (1868-1910). Readers will learn how this specific era drove modernization efforts, including the creation of a modern bureaucracy and a new education system. The text also examines how the state successfully subordinated the power of great nobles to strengthen central authority. Part of the Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia series, this volume provides a detailed historical account for students, researchers, and anyone interested in the evolution of Southeast Asian political structures and the transition from traditional rule to a modern state model.