History of Buddhist Advocacy and Activism in Thailand

This chapter provides a succinct overview of defining moments and the socio-cultural and political conditions in Siamese and Thai history that have brought about Buddhist public advocacy and activism as it appears today (Siam became Thailand in 1939). I trace the historical antecedents for Buddhist advocacy and activism from King Mongkut’s reformations in the mid-1800s up to the present day. This chapter makes important contributions to the context of this study because the character of modern Buddhist public advocacy and activism in Thailand has not always appeared as it does today.