Thailand and Nationalism

A few unique advantages led to the rather early advent of nationalism in Thailand. A
long and glorious heritage insured that most of the country spoke Thai and subscribed to
the dominant Thai culture, thus making Thailand quite homogeneous compared to some of
its neighbors, like Laos, which contained a vast spectrum of tribal and linguistic
distinctions. As a result, the Thais maintained a strong national identity, both of their
country as Thailand and of themselves as Thai people.

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Geopolitically, Thailand also sat at the border between the British and French spheres of influence, thus allowing Thailand to remain neutral as a buffer zone between the two. Very capable Thai monarchs insured that neither European power gained any advantage in Thailand, even as the country initiated modernizing reforms. Thus, the Thais were able to strengthen their own identity and political order while striving to preserve it from the eroding influence of imperialism.

Role of Family in East Asia

Individuals in traditional Asian societies were generally known by their family or clan and derived their self-identity from it. The family functioned as both a religious and social unit. In China, family gatherings for the purpose of ancestor worship not only steeled family solidarity, but also connected individuals to a group that transcended the boundaries of this world. In India, various family units constituted the jatis, which then combined with others to form the caste. While the caste and jatis formed concentric rings of identity, the family lay at the center. Families also regulated themselves, often resolving disputes.

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In China and Japan, family organizations or lineages could organize thousands of people throughout the various branches of a family and could regulate their behavior through family counsels headed by the chief patriarchs of each branch. Many of these lineage organizations actually planned strategies for the future like a corporation. On an individual level, unacceptable behavior could meet the sanction of these family heads, marriages could be arranged to enhance the prestige of the whole clan, and children could have their lives planned out for them. In short, family heads often had tremendous power over the lives of individuals within the clan.

The family also served as a welfare unit. Sometimes great clans or extended family heads established orphanages or endowments to provide subsistence to widows and/or orphans within their family lines. If a poor family came upon hard times, it could always turn to a wealthier branch within the extended family for assistance.