Thailand
The Kingdom of Thailand, historically called Siam, is a nation in Asia bordering the nations of former Spanish Indochina and the British controlled Dominion of Burma and Malay states.
History
Thailand is one of the few nations outside of Europe to avoid colonization. However, many of its neighbors would be colonized, often to the detriment of Thai territorial claims. It was particularly the conquest of Indochina by Spain that caused the most concern to the Siamese government. Spain had subjugated the region as a response to oppression of the Catholic missionaries, and had subsequently began a conversion campaign fueled by the Church. Siam saw this as an affront to the Buddhist population, and called for an uprising against the Spanish. However, the Siamese understood they stood little chance sandwiched between Spain and Great Britain.
During the onset of the Great War, King Vajiravudh, known as Rama VI, declared neutrality. He did so having ambitions on Indochina from Spain and the Malay States from Great Britain, though did not wish to declare war as it would place Thailand on the opposing side of Empire of Japan. However, at the fall of the Spanish monarchy in 1920, and the ensuing Spanish Civil War, Siam declared war and invaded the territory of Laos and Cambodia.
In 1921, King Sisavangvong of Laos agreed to aide Thai efforts against Spain, agreeing to cede the territories of Champasak and Sainyabuli to Siam in exchange for independence. However, King Sisowath of Cambodia, was persuaded by his Spanish ministers to resist. As a result, Siam occupied and annexed the territories of Pailin, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Preah Vihear.
During this time, the idea of Thai nationalism became a prominent ideology. The irredentist claims became centered around the pillars of the Thai identity, the monarchy under the Chakri dynasty, and the devotion to Buddhism. This fueled the conflicts in both Laos and Cambodia, who had seen significant numbers in their population converted to Catholicism by the Spanish.
In 1932, a military coup removed the absolute power of the king and transformed Siam into a constitutional monarchy. King Prajadhipok, also known as Rama VII, accepted the role as a constitutional monarch, but eventually abdicated in 1935. In 1939, the nation was officially renamed to Thailand.
With the onset of the Russo-German War in 1936, Thailand declared military neutrality, though financially supported the efforts of Japan in the territories of Manchuria. After the war, Thailand agreed to sign the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in order to gain Japanese military support in Laos and Cambodia.
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