Abstract:
The aim of this thesis is to study the political ideas of King Rama VII. The main difficulty in doing this research lies in the fact that some important documents about this problem are annonymous. The writer has to do the investigation and verification of those documents and at the same time has to make a study and are analysis of the problems. There are 5 chapters in the thesis. The first chapter is an introductory chapter discussing the background of the problems, the aim and the scope of research, plan of investigation and some conclusion expected. The second chapter concentrates on the factors which influence the political ideas of King Rama VII. Circumstances and situations in Thailand before King Rama VII came to the throne are studied in detailed,' Also, the royal background and the behavior of the King himself are discussed. As those factors mentioned above have some influence on him one way or another either as a stimulant or a hindrance to turn his idea into practice. The third chapter and the fourth chapter are the main parts of this thesis. Both chapters discussed the political ideas of the King as appeared before and after the 1932 revolution. The third chapter concerns his idea before the 1932 revolution. The writer tries to study his idealistic views and those which have been put into practice. The writer also tries to present the development of the Kings ideas step by step inconnection with the changing situation of Thailand at that time. First of all, the two documents, "Democracy in Siam" and "The Problems of Siam" which are the Royal Notes are studied critically in order to show the essential of his political ideas. Unfortunately, the original document of "Democracy in Siam" which is very important as it reflected his political ideas neither carries the name of the writer nor the background of the document. Through historical analysis together with supporting data the writer verified that this document is his Royal Note and also points out the Kings motive in writing it. The study of these 2 documents has shown that the King firmly believed that the Absolute Monarchy was the best political system for Thailand at that moment. Moreover it was seen that he prefered to be the- leader in a political change chosen himself for his country. This can be seen through the establishment of the Advisory body and the Consultative body, namely the Supreme Council, the Council of state and the Privy Council, The function, the structure and the working system of the three councils are studied to show what sort of roles those councils exercise. Especially how far the three councils serve the Kings political ideas. How far did the three councils contribute to the arrangement of the appropriate political system for. Thailand. The system which would be able to remedy the existing administrative structure and at the same time help solving the political participation which was most urgent at that time. Anyhow, the establishment of the three councils which aimed to improve the administrative system was not able to cope with the rising political demand of some group of people, the King finally decided to give the constitution to the people. The Royal Constitution was outlined along the same idea King Rama VIIs thought suitable for the country. Again through historical analysis and supporting data, the writer verifies that the above mention constitution is a Royal Constitution written by Mr. Stevens by the command and the instruction of the King The fourth chapter discussed the Kings ideas after the 1932 revolution. The writer tries to look into the new system and the status of the King under' the new system. His political thought was studied and analyzed though his writing and political events the writer follows the political incident which occured at that time in logical order beginning with the return of the King from Hua - Hin to Bangkok by the invitation of the Peoples Party as the Chief of state under the constitution. The attitude of the King towards the peoples Party and vice versa before and after the Bovaradej Revolt are studied. The writer has pointed out the Bovaradsj Revoit because the Revolt itself is exceptionary crucial and the motive of the Revolt is still debatable. Many people have looked at it as a last strike of Royalist to restore the Absolute Monarchy while others have concluded that it was an attempt for political development. If one agreed that it was an attempt for political development. The Bovaradej Revolt was then the bargain of political powers. Then the attitude of the King himself and the peoples party should be looked into closely. The writer has discussed those attitudes very carefully. The abdication of the King is the climax in expressing his political ideas after the 1932 revolution. The writer has done the analysis of the motive and the character of his abdication. Besides, the political events after his abdication were investigated to provide a background for basis understanding of political development in Thailand up unti1 the present The fifth chapter is the conclusion and suggestion.