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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

routes in the Andaman Sea and South China Sea. Tavoy was positioned at the same latitude

as Ayutthaya and Mergui aligned with Phetchaburi, both crucial in ensuring dominance over
regional trade.

It’s now clear that Thai kings were adept at navigating the seas, not just the land, as often
portrayed in Thai history. They did not need to engage in constant warfare with neighboring

countries; instead, they focused on trade and fostering relationships with the outside world.
The wealth of the Thai nation stemmed largely from international trade, as the feudal system

could not generate significant revenue through taxes on agricultural products. Thainess embodies
the acceptance of the world and adaptability to global trends, a quality that helped Thailand

navigate the arrival of Western powers in Asia 200 years ago without major conflict.
Ayutthaya was not just the capital of Thailand but also a cosmopolitan hub, where half

of its population were native Thais, and the other half hailed from many different countries.
The most important aspect of Thainess in this context was the open-mindedness to accept

foreigners into Thai society, fostering harmony among diverse groups. Nationalism began to take
shape during the reign of King Rama VI of the Chakri dynasty, where the loyalty to the king unite

people of various races and backgrounds. We can say that our king was not only a monarch for
the Thai people, but also an emperor who brought happiness, peace, and justice to all who

resided in the kingdom, regardless of their nationality or language. His Majesty King Rama IX took
pride in the multicultural of citizenship of his country, as evidenced by his visit to the hill tribe

people in the north, where they carried him up the hill and greeted him with local liquor as
a gesture of respect.

The lecturer recalls His Majesty King Rama IX visiting his people in remote areas, including
Lampang, the author’s hometown. Of these visits, it was always evident that people from

various ethnic backgrounds came to greet the king. The lecturer believes that the king found not
only relaxation in these interactions, but also genuine joy in connecting with his people of all

races. Similarly, His Majesty King Rama X visited Muslim communities during religious ceremonies
at various mosques. The lecturer believes, the king, like his father, took pride in his diverse

people, as evidence by his father‘s donation of land for the construction of mosques. Today,
Their Majesties, the king and queen, frequently preside over festivals, such as those commemorating

the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad, and the king has appointed respected Muslim
religious leaders as true advisor. Additionally, the Royal family has long supported Christian

churches. Several Royal family members attended English schools like Assumption College
established in 1885, where the first crown prince Maha Vajirunhis laid the the foundation stone

in 1887.

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