TAI PEOPLE: Lesson Five - Examining Thailand's Democratic Regime

This essay, titled "TAI PEOPLE: Lesson Five," examines the democratic regime in Thailand, outlining the responsibilities of Thai citizens, including obeying the law, voting, defending the country, and respecting others. The essay then delves into Thailand's historical context, tracing its origins from the Tai people's migration to the country's evolution through various kingdoms like Ayutthaya and the Chakri dynasty. It discusses the challenges faced by Siam, including conflicts with Burma, European powers, and the impact of the American Revolutionary War. The essay also includes a letter to a senator addressing the needs of a district, highlighting issues such as transportation, economic development, and the importance of local contractors. Overall, the essay provides a comprehensive overview of Thailand's political and historical landscape, offering insights into its democratic values and past events.

Running Head: TAI PEOPLE
TAI PEOPLE
Name
Professor
Institution
Course
Date

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Lesson five
Holding the democratic regime
Every citizen in Thailand has the responsibility to defend the country, the creeds, the king
and the independent rule of law with the king as the head of state under the constitution and the
chief of armed forces (Stasi, 2017).
Obey the law
Every person is supposed to obey the law no matter what since the law should always be
observed for peaceful coexistence. There is a legal obligation to obey the law since the law has to
be followed except in given occasions where the law permits disobedience. In any circumstance,
it is essential to follow the law and the local authority (Ngwenya & Dhever, 2015).
Responsibility to vote
Every person has entitled an obligation to vote in an election in their country. A person
who does not show up and vote for a candidate does not enjoy the right to vote (Pimpa, Moore,
Gregory, & Tenni, 2015).
Right to defend the country
Every person is entitled the right to guard their motherland, participate in the armed
forces, pay due duties and all duties, offer help to the certified service, be educated and trained,
guard and pass on to take care of the state sculptures and beliefs and the native awareness,
conservation of natural resources together with the milieu as required by the decree
(Pharcharuen, 2015).
Officials to act according to the law
A state agent or any worker of a state organization, state initiative or indigenous
administration or any other state official is supposed to work in obedience with the rule of law to

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guard the interests of the public, offer services to the public in the most convenient manner
possible. Performing these tasks makes a person politically impartial (Sin & Minca, 2016).
To respect other people property
A person has a right to what belongs to him or her only. Once we respect other people’s
property, there is peaceful co-existence and hence we can enjoy what we own.
Meet the needs of our families
Personal freedom does not exist without economic freedom. A person may assist in
strengthening the other members of society by helping them with what they need (Stasi, 2017).
To be sympathetic and understand other people
As we expect other people to help us during our challenging moments, we are also likely
to assist other people who are in need too. Through assisting other people when in need, we build
a positive co-relationship in society. When we are faced with challenges, the people we assisted
will stretch their hand and help us. This, therefore, leads to good coexistence among families in
society (Pharcharuen, 2015).
Respects other peoples beliefs
Diversity flourishes in a free society. A civilized country is measured by the courtesy and
consideration of other people.it is important to respect the culture, norms and beliefs of other
people to have a peaceful neighborhood (Pharcharuen, 2015).

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To take part in building the nation’s political life
Democracy is heavily depended on the active citizenry. Citizens are supposed to be well
informed, and information should reach many citizens so that there is the creation of awareness
on any upcoming issues (Pharcharuen, 2015).
Letter to the Senator
The Honorable Addison Mitchell McConnell Jr
US House of Representatives
Washington D.C 20515
With the going of America to the West, I would, at this moment, wish to say that my
name is Harry Belafonte. I am taking this journey to the west in a spirit of finding greener
pastures for my family. I am taking part in this journey because I am dreaming of a brighter
future for myself. I expect to have a better place for my family to settle and continue with their
daily business as usual. I also expect to get some amount of gold in the gold mines. I do not
expect anything to go wrong during this journey. I would like to bring to your attention the issue
concerning the needs of people in our district. I know you are a very intelligent servant of people
and therefore would like to appeal to you to provide our people with good transport system to
smoothen trade with the neighboring districts. Our area has lagged behind in economic
development and this has led to slow economic growth. With your assistance, I am sure
businesses will flourish and the district will be in a better place.
I also thought that it is important that you consider awarding the contract to the contractor who
will accomplish this work as soon as possible. This is because, in the past we have witnessed
contractors being awarded these contracts and it takes years for them to accomplish the job and

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they deliver poor quality. It will be for the good of the people and the entire economy. We
believe in your efforts and therefore approach you to assist us in upgrading this area.
There is also a need to bring to your attention that we have noticed that you had started a
project to construct gabions along the roads that are not tarmacked .You did a very nice job in
awarding the contract to the three contractors. However, two of the contractors did not perform
according to our expectations and they also did not complete the contract. I was therefore in for
the opinion that the contractors be changed so that we have new contractors who will finish the
job in due time. With your efforts, I am sure everything will go well and that our district will
prosper in developments.
The materials used are also being imported from other districts while our district has adequate
resources. I think this is because last time we imported contractors from other districts. I would
therefore appeal to you to employ the qualified and competed contractors in our district. This
will assist increasing job opportunities for many youths who are not yet employed.
Thailand before Independence
Thailand, officially known as the kingdom of Thailand and known initially as Siam,
refers to a nation in South East Asia in the Indonesian Peninsula made up of 76 provinces. The
country is the world’s 50th most extensive and 22nd most populous country (Pharcharuen,
2015).
Tai people entered the country from south Western China to mainland Asia in the 11th century.
Their earliest existence was dated in the 12th century. Several Indian kingdoms like the mon
kingdom, Khmer Empire and Malay states ruled the region was getting rivalry from Ngoenyang,
Lan Na, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai (Strate, 2015).

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The contact with the European people was dated back in 1511 with the Portuguese
mission to Ayutthaya, which is one of the most significant powers in the region. Ayutthaya
reached its climax during the reign of Narai until the Burmese-Siamese war destroyed it. Taksin
reunited the fragmented kingdom and founded the Thonburi kingdom, which was short-lived. He
was later succeeded by the Buddha Yodfa in 1782. The first monarch of the Chakri dynasty was
formed, and it lasted until the early 20th century. Through the 18th and 19th century, Siam met
challenges from France and the United Kingdom. However, the monarch remained united and
avoided western rule to prevent direct western control (Strate, 2015). Following a revolution that
took place in 1932, Siam became a monarchy and changed its name to Thailand.
After the bloodless coup de tat in 1932, the constitutional regime was ushered. The first elections
were done in 1933 and Pridi was confirmed more popular. However, Phibun used his power as
the defence minister and overthrew Phibun. In 1938; Phibun was made the prime minister and
Pridi controlled the finance portfolio (Sharp & Hanks, 2018). Phibun promoted democracy and
cultivated closer relations with Japan meant to challenge European power. After World War II
broke out, Japan took advantage of the Vichy regime to obtain concessions for Thailand in
Cambodia. The subsequent wars led to public protests that made Phibun be removed from office
in 1944.
After World War II, Pramoj served as prime minister. A new constitution was
established, calling for elected leaders from the lower house. The 1946 elections led to the
accession of Pridi. He was shortly accused of taking part in the untimely death of King Ananda
Mahidol, and hence he resigned and left the country (Stasi, 2017).
Thailand problems in 1776–1820

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Problem 1
Burmese attacked the capital of Ayutthaya in 1767, and the capital of Ayutthaya was captured.
Buri period lasted from 1767 to 1772 AD.
Problem 2
With the impending attack, the capital of Ayutthaya was transferred to a place that was nearer to
the sea to trigger defense, economic reformation and foreign trade.
Problem 3
A new capital city was formed in Tho Buri. The rulers were callous. In 1775-1776, there
was war amid Myanmar and Thonburi, today known as Thailand. The Siamese forces profoundly
challenged the invasion of a Burmese invasion, but the attack was withdrawn after the death of
King Hsinbyushin in 1776 (Pharcharuen, 2015).
Problem 4
After the revolution of La Na with the Siamese support, the Ayutthaya Siamese leadership
started war with the Chinese.
Chakri Dynasty
Chakri was Thailand’s ruling house established by Rama 1 who played a vital role in the
struggle against Burma. Chakri became king of Burma in 1782 following the death of his
predecessor. In 1782, Taksin sent his armies under Chakri to invade Cambodia. However, while
they were away, rebels invaded the area near the capital city .the rebels had the most popular
support provided the throne to General Chakri with the title of supreme general. Taksin, who was
on war by that time, was secretly executed after returning from war. The Burmese invaded Siam
in 1785 after realizing the disorder that accompanied the overthrow of Taksin. Rama permitted
them to occupy the Northern and southern parts. However, his brother led the Siamese army to

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the Western, and there they crushed the Burmese military in the area near Kanchanaburi (Sin &
Minca, 2016).
During the reign of Rama I's son Phutthaloetla Naphalai, British East India firm
occupied Penang in 1819 and founded Singapore the same year. The British displaced Dutch and
Portuguese as the leading political and economic influencers on Siam. The British imposed taxes
arbitrarily.
Problem 1
The American revolutionary war, on the other hand, took place in 1775-1783. The
conflict later came to be known as the American war of freedom. The battle was between Great
Britain and its thirteen colonies in the northern part of America, which declared its independent
as the United States of America. After 1765, there was a rising partisan difference overwrought
by the relationship between Great Britain and the USA. The Patriots' objections against increased
levy led to the destruction of a consignment of tea in Boston in 1773. British then passed strict
measures counter to Massachusetts colony. The colonists in Massachusetts reacted by using
Suffolk Resolutions, and they founded a sleuth regime. Twelve colonies founded continental
congress to organize their opposition and successfully seize power (Stasi, 2017).
Problem 2
The attempts made by Britain to neutralize the Massachusetts soldiers resulted in opening
combat and the British lost the war in 1775. The guerrilla forces then besieged Boston and forced
the British army to vacate the area in 1776. Congress then selected George Washington to lead
the continental army. In 1977, the British attempted an attack from Quebec with an aim of
segregating the freshly formed England colonies. John Burgoyne led the battle. Instead of fully

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supporting the Army, John led his army on a separate campaign against Philadelphia, and he
defeated Saratoga authoritatively in 1777 (Sin & Minca, 2016).
Problem 3
The defeat of Burgoyne led to the collation between France and the USA, and this led to
the formation of an army that entered the war in 1778. Spain joined as an ally to France. In 1780,
there was an attack led by the USA and its partners, and this led to the eruption of war in Mysore
between Britain and the Netherlands. Great Britain mounted a southern strategy whose
commander was Charles Cornwallis. However, Britain was defeated in 1781 (Stasi, 2017).
Problem 4
After the revolutionary war, the USA was faced with the challenge of building a sound
economy. The American economy remained sabotaged from the era of the revolutionary war.
Britain violated the defilement of the harmony treaty that brought the revolutionary war to an
end in 1783. Britain unrelentingly occupied the forts in the north-west of America (Stasi, 2017).
To solve the economic problems faced by Thailand which were similar to those in the USA,
the American government passed a tariff on imports and tax on liquor
To inspire shipping to the country, the country enforced duties on overseas vessels.
To offer a structure for the executive branch for the state, the government created a supreme
court of the national treasury and war (Strate, 2015).
Donner Party Trail
I am John Walker, an American native walking the trail. In the trail, we are about 200
people and we all have the same mission, to look for new pastures and fetch some gold in
Sacramento. Most of us are not thinking about home and if we do, the memories fade day by

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day. We have walked for so long that people have started losing track of the days and the journey
seems like going to the moon.
Along the journey, most of our friends have passed on. I empathize with the families of
the deceased since this is not something that hit our minds. We expected that the journey would
be smooth and that no person would die. Most of those people who passed away are men. The
reason is because most women are family units in one kind or the other. If you do not have a
family to look after you, then it is almost obvious that you would fall by the wayside.
We are in Nebraska, California and there is a flowing river which is acting as our guide.
I am travelling with many families, all known to me. We are in a group of about 200
people and all of us seem tired due to the epic walk. I feel empathy for the families that have lost
their loved ones in this journey. Most men have passed on the way since they do not have
families to take care of them since they are single. The women are better off since they are in
groups of families and can take care of one another. We are astonished by the murder of John
Snyder, a driver for the Graves family. Nobody expected James Red to kill or any of us to kill
their friend.
The experience about this journey is not much welcoming. The journey is one of the most
difficult ones I have ever travelled. However, we expect not only to seize farms in various places
but also hope to get to Sacramento and earn ourselves some amount of gold which is our primary
aim.

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Ngwenya, M., & Dhever, S. (2015). Parental rights and responsibilities: family law. Without
Prejudice, 15(6), 35-37.
Pharcharuen, W. (2015). Good Citizenship in the 21st Century Democratic Society. The Journal
of International Association of Buddhist Universities (JIABU), 12(1), 283-292.
Pimpa, N., Moore, T., Gregory, S., & Tenni, B. (2015). Corporate social responsibility and
mining industry in Thailand. World, 13(7), 1-12.
Sharp, L., & Hanks, L. M. (2018). Bang Chan: Social history of a rural community in Thailand.
Bangkok: Cornell University Press.
Sin, H. L., & Minca, C. (2016). Touring responsibility: The trouble with ‘going local’in
community-based tourism in Thailand. Geoforum, 51(4), 96-106.
Stasi, A. (2017). Protection for Children Born Through Assisted Reproductive Technologies Act,
BE 2558: The Changing Profile of Surrogacy in Thailand. Clinical Medicine Insights:.
Reproductive Health, 23(5), 243-256.
Strate, S. (2015). The lost territories; hailand's history of national humiliation. Hawaii:
University of Hawai'i Press.