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.