- 10th century
- meuang, or city-state established
- chieftans are called jao meuang
- 11th century: migration to
1. King
2. Chao Saen
3. Chao Muen
4. Chao Phan
5. Nai roi
6. Nai Hasip
7. Nai Sip
- Dharma-king (Thammaraat/dhammaraja)
Ayuthaya
- 15th century:
- registration system was developed
- become a nation-state
- Saktina system: hierarchical structure
1. King
2. Uparat (second king)
3. Chaofa of krom rank
4. Chaofa prince
5. Members of royal family of krom rank
6. Lesser members of the royal family
7. Lowest members of the royal family
*lower statuses are administrators, ministries, employees, commoners, then slaves and beggars
- Saktina system indicated each person's level of responsibilities (rights to own property) and privileges.
- King had total power over law and his people.
- God-king (Thewaraat/devaraja)
Inpact of earlier government on present day Thai culture:
The social structure had been the major reason why Thais pay respects to higher rank people with bows and wais and the reason why higher status people have special words to call them. As Khmer move on to control Thailand the system of "dharma-king" became "god-king" during the Ayuthanya period, which was strictly followed.
