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Thailand was
known for centuries as Siam and is the only country in Southeast Asia that was
never colonized. It has been a constitutional monarchy ever since 1932 and
has a parliamentarian form of government.
Before 1932,
Thailand's history can be divided into three kingdoms. Under the Sukhothai
Kingdom (1257-1378), the
King had absolute power over his subjects and paid close attention to their
well-being, this was known as the paternalistic system of government.
Following the
Sukhothai Kingdom was the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which inherited extensive Khmer
traditions and customs. Their system of government was based on the
concept of divine rights. During this period, a clear division was seen
between the civil and military administration and a strong centralized
government.
In 1767, with
the establishment of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, the Ayutthaya system of
government was adapted. During the late 19th century, the basis of the
present system was formed by King Rama V when he carried out a a major
reorganization of the central regional and local administrations.
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