아유타야시대 서유럽국가의 대 태국 진출과정 및 태국의 대응방식에 관한 분석(1511-1688)

Abstract

Thailand was experiencing dramatic changes after European countries approached this region since the 16th century. Many European countries, such as Portugal in 1511, Spain in 1598, and Netherlands in 1602, England in 1612, Denmark in 1620, and France in 1662, arrived in Thailand for trade and the Christian mission. Portugal, who came to Thailand before any other European countries, was in an advantageous position that gave it monopoly interests in the trade with Thailand, until the Netherlands and England arrived and competed with Portugal on the market share in this region. Thailand once expected the Netherlands to participate in the market competition to restrain both economic and political power of Portugal over Thailand. However, as the Netherlands’ power in this region became stronger, Thailand then relied on England to suppress the Netherlands’ power. And then King Narai believed that France was one of the most powerful countries in Europe and was strong enough to stop the expansion of the Netherland and English’power in this region. King Narai was hoping to establish a close relation with France for the sake of the balance of power in Thailand. On the other hand, France’s interest was in the expansion of its political influence over Thailand by converting King Narai to Roman Catholic as well as by sending French troops to Ayutthaya. While France increase its influence in Thailand, France made a bad impression on some Thai officials, such as King Phetraja, successor of King Narai, who sentenced Constantine Phaulkon to death, and sent the French troops back to their country in order to maintain the complete sovereignty and national security of the Thailand. Since then, the close relation between Thailand and France was immediately discontinued. The relationship between Thailand and Western Europe should be understood within this context of Thailand’s policy that pursues the balance of power. It is also an excellent example that shows Thailand’s strategic diplomatic policy, so called, the “check-enemies-through-enemies” strategy, which Thailand had kept for a while to protect its sovereignty. While Thailand was mostly interested in the political goal of balancing the power among the Western European countries that had interests over Thailand. The events that took place during the Ayutthaya period (1511-1688) leaves Thailand a lesson. Thailand learned that relying on an European countries cannot be the fundamental solution to its endangered independence.