Abstract:
The aim of this thesis is to study the relationship among the three important communities in Bangkok, that is, the Thai, Chinese and Western communities as they developed since the signing of the Bowring Treaty with England (1855) until the end of the reign King Chulalongkorn (1910). The study is divided into 5 chapters: Chapter I- The settlement, expansion and location of the 3 communities; Chapter II Details of each community concerning social structure, the relationship within the community and their way of life; Chapter III The inter-relationship among the three communities; Chapter IV The conflicts among the three communities and their effects; Chapter V A study of the Thai government's policy towards the Thai Chinese and Western communities and Summary. The relationship among the Thai, Chinese and Western communities in Bangkok are both economic and social. Let us look at the economic situation among the 3 groups. 1. Relations among the business entrepreneurs. Although those at high social levels of the three communities joined together to form business partnerships, there were many more Chinese and Western entrepreneurs than Thais. Thai people did not take much part in all of this business activity due to lack of skill in this area. In addition, the entrepreneurs also had relations with Thai and Chinese laborers. 2. Relations between entrepreneurs and consumers. This was primarily a relationship between Chinese and Thai people. The Westerners were not much concerned with the local market since their trade was either wholesale or import-export. As for social relations, they were of 3 types: 1. Cultural relations. In general, there was a great deal of cultural assimilation between Thai and Chinese. The Chinese people tended to prefer being considered as Thai. However those, at high social levels in both the Thai and Chinese communities also accepted western culture to show that they were a modern and civilized people. This helped in their contacts with Westerners. As for the Westerners, They did not absorb Thai or Chinese culture since they regarded their own as superior and did not accept those regarded as inferior. 2. Religious relations. This can be clearly seen between Thai and Chinese peoples since they have similar backgrounds and close cultural relations in many respects. Moreover, a group of Chinese were influenced y Western missionaries and later converted to Christianity. This relationship was mutually beneficial. 3. Public welfare relations. Westerners had a greater influence on public welfare relations than did the Thai or Chinese due to their technical expertise. Important public welfare projects initiated by the Westerners were both profit and non-profit activities. Despite a good business relationships, there were some conflicts among these three communities. But the conflicts were not so serious and the government could easily control the situation. Thus, we can say that the relationship among the Thai, Chinese and Western communities in Bangkok during 1855 1910 was favorable. Thai was due to many factors. Firstly, the locations of the three communities were separated. These peoples did not mix throughout the city which might easily have caused conflicts. Secondly, each community had it's own problems. Some had conflicts among themselves. Meanwhile, each community was not self-sufficient which necessitated relationships with others. Thirdly, the government policy towards these three communities was aimed at making them live together peacefully. The main policy was to get rid of the conflicts among the three groups and please the Chinese as well as the Westerners, both of which had important roles to play in the country's development during that period. However, the government had to prevent any one group from having too much power which might eventually lead to conflicts. Thus, the Thai, Chinese and Westerners living in Bangkok had good relations during that period.