In this 261st episode, we'll take the Thai Chinese history a little further up the timeline to the Thonburi Kingdom of Taksin the Great and into the Chakri Dynasty with King Rama I. After shaking things up profoundly in China, the Age of Imperialism will now come knocking on Siam's door. As before and in the years to follow, Siam's ethnic Chinese proved to be a formidable force in keeping the ship of state afloat and prospering while colonialism raged across Southeast Asia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices