Modern Towns outside Bangkok in the Early 20th Century: A History of Towns under World Market Economy and Siamese Knowledge Power

Abstract

This article aims to explore the change of physical space of towns outside Bangkok by the early 20^th century due to socio-economic and political contexts. These towns became part of the world market through the survey and exploration for natural resources, local production, free labor, and local labor in the transitional part. This article compares the towns in each region in Siam which were intervened by the Siamese government, especially through the new Thesaphiban provincial administration and the new railway system. As a superior political power and through knowledge power on town history, the Siamese government dominated these towns and gained power over the resources.