Kingdom of Siam

The Kingdom of Siam is a protectorate and client state of the Empire of Japan since Japan surrounds it from all sides. Before the War, Siam was surrounded by Colonies and Concessions of Britain and France and was able to survive colonization for years.

## History

### Origins

Real reform occurred during the reign of Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r. 1868–1910). After his formal enthronement in 1873, he announced reforms of the judiciary, state finance, and the political structure. An anti-reform revolt was suppressed in 1874, after which Chulalongkorn embarked on less radical approaches. In time, he ordered the gradual elimination of slavery and corvée labor. He introduced currency-based taxes and a conscription-based regular army. In 1893 a centralized state administration replaced the semi-feudal provincial administration. The regime established European-style schools for children of the royal family and sent government officials, promising civil servants, and military officers to Europe for further education. The first railroad line was opened between Bangkok and Ayutthaya in 1897 and extended farther north in 1901 and 1909. To the south, rail connections were made in 1903, linking with British rail lines in Malaya. During this time, British and French colonial advances in Southeast Asia posed serious threats to Siam’s independence and forced the kingdom to relinquish its claims in Cambodia, Laos, and the northern Malay states. Although much diminished in territory by the 1910s, Siam preserved its independence, and the kingdom served as a buffer state between the British and French colonies. During this time, anti-Chinese sentiments came to the fore. About 10 percent of the population was Chinese, and ethnic Chinese largely controlled many government positions, the rice trade, and other enterprises, much to the resentment of the native Thai.

### World War I

Siam declared war on Britain and France to help Japan conquer Burma, Malaysia and Indochina with South China so it can finally be free from being surrounded by Britain and France for so long. Thailand fought battles in Burma, Indochina and let Japan fight in Malaysia.

### Becoming a Protectorate and Client State

After the war Thailand was declared a Client State and Protectorate of Japan after Japan realized they surrounded Siam. Siam as a protectorate and client state is allowed to act independently as a government as long as it plays along with Japan.

## Government

The **Supreme Council of State of Siam** (Thai: อภิรัฐมนตรีสภา) was an advisory and legislative council established by His Majesty King Prajadhipok of Siam (Rama VII). The Eton and Sandhurst educated monarch wished to create a council similar to a cabinet, where the most important government officials could meet to decide on state affairs. The Council was founded on 28 November 1925 by Royal Command. Prajadhipok only succeeded to the throne three days earlier, after the death of his brother Vajiravudh on the 25th of November 1925.

The Council was composed of 5 members, each a prince of the Chakri Dynasty who had held ministerial positions during the reigns of King Rama V and Rama VI (Prajadhipok’s father and older brother).

## Military

### Army

The **Royal Siamese Army** (กองทัพบกสยาม: Korngthap Bok Sayam) is responsible for protecting the kingdom's sovereignty. It is the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Siamese Armed Forces. The army was formed in 1874, partly as a response to new security threats following the 1855 Bowring Treaty with Britain, which opened the country for international trade.

Fielding quite an impressive panoply of Weltkrieg era surplus, the small but well-equipped army is organized into 5 army areas:

* First Army—headquartered in Bangkok and is responsible for the country's western and central provinces including the capital city.
* Second Army—headquartered in Nakhon Ratchasima and is responsible for the northeastern quadrant.
* Third Army—headquartered in Phitsanulok, responsible for the northern and northwestern parts of the kingdom.
* Fourth Army—headquartered in Nakhon Si Thammarat, responsible for southern parts of the kingdom below the Kra Isthmus.
* Fifth Army—headquartered in Phra Tabong, responsible for the Eastern coast of the Kingdom and the Khamen autonomous area.

The King's Guard forms several separate regiments within these formations.

### Navy

Separated from the RSA administration in 1887, the **Royal Siamese Navy** (ราชนาวีสยาม: Ratchanavi Sayam) was mostly dominated by pre-Weltkrieg era British-made destroyers during the war. The RSN lost two destroyers in the Battle of Koh Pha-Ngan against the better-equipped British forces and remain inactive until 1921 when the Peace with Honour came into effect.

Aiming to avoid the humiliating defeat ever again; *Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon's* undertook substantial naval reform in the early 1920s. Three Matchanu-class submarines, two Naresuan-class heavy cruisers, and two Mahachakri-class destroyers were added to the fleet. Two more Rattanakosin-class destroyers would be procured in 1929 to replace older ones. There is also a small marine detachment.

### Air Force

**Royal Siamese Aeronautical Service** (กรมอากาศยานทหารบก: Krom Arkartsayan Taharn Bok) is a moderately-well equipped force with relatively modern aircraft. Consist of 171 fighter planes & 77 bombers; a mixture of several French, American, and the locally-made ones.

After seeing the first aircraft demonstration in Bangkok, King Rama VI was sufficiently impressed that on 28 February 1912 he sent three Army officers to France to learn to fly. After receiving their wings and qualification, the officers returned to Siam in November 1913, bringing with them eight aircraft: four Breguets and four Nieuport IVs). In March 1914, Thai aviation moved from Sapathum to Don Mueang then north of Bangkok.

The RSAS saw their first combat during the Weltkrieg in 1919 during the Raid of Phnom Penh and proved to be a crucial asset to the war effort as the French colonial garrisons were under-armed at that time. However, they achieved their first air-to-air-victories in dogfights against the Royal Air Force over Penang in the Malaya front.

## Foreign Relations

* Great Relations with the Empire of Japan, the Shan States Duchy, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Laos.
* Bad Relations with the Kingdom of Burma and the Imperial State of Vietnam.