Thai: Chakri Dynasty and Thai Young Generation Essay

Submitted By Primprimprimprim
Words: 334
Pages: 2

Although fundamental social system in Thailand is far less severe than India’s caste system, where there is a stark divide between castes, the barrier between Thai upper and lower classes is still noticeable, if not conspicuous. Hierarchism has long been within the context of Thailand’s society [Questioning slavery]. Not many foreigners and Thai young generation now note that Thailand or Siam used to be under rigid slavery system throughout the nineteenth century. Those “Prai” (slaves) then were entitled to being slaves by birth. That is, children of slaves were destined slaves and the cycle went on, creating large clump of the subordinates. These slaves were not only subjected to serve royal families, but also the entire establishment of the elites. For hundreds of years, Thai officials, who worked for the monarchs and were ranked according to relationship with the kings, were considered nobles. The rank, —or Lordshin equivalent of Duke, Count, and Baron — consisted of Somdej-Jaophraya, Jaophraya, Luang, Khoon, Meun, Pun, and Nai [The Royal Institute of Thailand]. The living families and descendants of which are now called the Old Money, bureaucratic elites who claimed to have been intimate with the sovereigns. After the emancipation of slavery in 1874, the rank system was also destroyed. In other words, apart from the monarchy, all Thais are equal. Thailand at that time faced a substantial transition socially and economically. People embarked