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King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father’s tradition of reform,abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative system. Compulsoryeducation and other educational reforms were introduced by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925). During the reign of King Prajadhipok (1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolutemonarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The king abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by hisnephew, King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946). The country’s name was changed from Siam toThailand with the advent of a democratic government in 1939.Our present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty. Hehas become the longest-reigning king in Thai history with more than 60 years on the throne.5-3. ReligionThe major driving force of cultural development in Thailand is the belief in TheravadaBuddhism. We can see that everyday Thai life and important festivals all heavily involveBuddhism. Belief in Buddhism has also inspired Thai artists to create and develop classical arts,be they sculpture, architecture, painting or early literature, which depict stories relating toBuddhist life. Theravada Buddhism is practiced by more than 95 per cent of Thai people.Muslims are the largest religious minority, representing about 4.6 % of the populace.They are mostly in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Satun. Anotherhalf a per cent of the population follows the Christian Religion, while the remainder compriseConfucians, Taoists, Mahayana Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs.Despite the different religious beliefs prevailing in the country, all are upheld andsupported by both the monarch and the government. Thus amidst a rich diversity of beliefs, thepeople of Thailand have always lived together in peace and harmony.5 -4. Government & EconomyGovernmentAfter more than a half century of military coups and other interventions, Thailand oncesuffered a change of government following a bloodless military coup in September 2006. Thecoup has for the moment stymied Thailand’s primary source of instability, namely politicalparalysis and mass public demonstrations inspired by opposition to the Thaksin administration.The 1997 Constitution was the first constitution to be drafted by popularly-electedConstitutional Drafting Assembly, and was popularly called the “People’s Constitution”.Many human rights are explicitly acknowledged, and measures were established to increase thestabilityof elected governments. The House was elected by the first-past-the-post system, whereonly one candidate with a simple majority could be elected in one constituency. The Senate waselected based on the province system, where one province can return more than one Senatordepending on its population size. Members of the House of Representatives served four-yearterms, while Senators served six-year terms. The court system included a constitutional courtwith jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, and politicalmatters.The January 2001 general election, the first elections under the 1997 Constitution, werecalled the most open, corruption-free election in Thai history. The subsequent government wasthe first in Thai history to complete a 4-year term. The 2005 election had the highest voterturnout in Thai history and was noted for a marked reduction in vote-buying compared toprevious elections. In early 2006, significant pressure from corruption allegations led Thaksin52