Toward an historical demography of Thailand

Abstract

In this paper we review the rapidly changing field of historical demography, outlining how the field has advanced over the last seven decades or so, particularly with respect to methodologies, and pointing to the contributions the field has made to social history. Then we turn to the social and economic history of Siam and review what is known from existing studies of Siam's historical population trends. We indicate why demography is central to historical social change in Southeast Asia generally and in Siam in particular. In light of its importance in Siam's social and economic history, we consider why so little empirical historical demography has been carried out. Finally, we provide an overview of materials in the nation's historical collections that might provide a basis for an historical demography for Thailand.