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Introduction

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Thailand’s Policies towards China, 1949–54

Part of the book series: St Antony’s / Macmillan Series ((STANTS))

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Abstract

Various established patterns of relationship can be discerned from the examination of the history of Sino-Thai relations. Between the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries, Thailand (as a collective name for the various Thai kingdoms) had a tributary relationship with the Chinese empire. However, it remained on the periphery of Chinese political influence, for China practically did not interfere with Thailand’s internal affairs. Moreover, this tributary relationship was, from Thai rulers’ point of view, essentially a commercial rather than a political one. When the political order of Southeast Asia was changed by the Western imperialist powers in the nineteenth century, Thailand adapted itself to the new order. Official and formal contacts with China ceased as Thailand embraced the Western system of diplomatic relations and the Chinese empire went into decline. Trade, migration, and cultural exchange between the two countries carried on without formal diplomatic framework until 1946, when Thailand established diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC), under the Kuomintang (KMT) Nationalist government.

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Notes

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Authors
  1. Anuson Chinvanno
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© 1992 Anuson Chinvanno

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Chinvanno, A. (1992). Introduction. In: Thailand’s Policies towards China, 1949–54. St Antony’s / Macmillan Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12430-5_1

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