Siamese Melting Pot: Ethnic Groups in the Making of Bangkok

Ethnic minorities historically comprised a solid majority of Bangkoks population. They played a dominant role in the citys exuberant economic and social development. In the shadow of Siams prideful flamboyant Thai ruling class the citys diverse minorities flourished quietly. The Thai-Portuguese; the Mon; the Lao; the Cham Persian Indian Malay and Indonesian Muslims; and the Taechiu Hokkien Hakka Hainanese and Cantonese Chinese speech groups were particularly important. Others such as the Khmer Vietnamese Thai Yuan Sikhs and Westerners were smaller in numbers but no less significant in their influence on the citys growth and prosperity. In tracing the social political and spatial dynamics of Bangkoks ethnic pluralism through the two-and-a-half centuries of the citys history this book calls attention to a long-neglected mainspring of Thai urban development. While the books primary focus is on the first five reigns of the Chakri dynasty (1782–1910) the account extends backward and forward to reveal the continuing impact of Bangkoks ethnic minorities on Thai culture change within the broader context of Thai development studies. It provides an exciting perspective and unique resource for anyone interested in exploring Bangkoks evolving cultural milieu or Thailands modern history.