Developing of Thai Merchant Marine

Abstract

This article aims to study the history of the Thai Merchant Marines, which is a form activity of international trade that developed since ancient times and which prospered in the Ayutthaya, Thonburi and early Rattanakosin eras. With the advantage of the location of the capital city in the lower Chao Phraya River, Ayutthaya became a major port of trade and shipbuilding center. The “Monopoly System” of the royal warehouse was an important trade policy, as well as the role of the merchant marines of the Chinese people, which brought prosperity to the country. When the trading system of the monopoly for commercial products broke up, the Thai Merchant Marines was transformed from the government sector to the private sector. As a result, the development of Thai Merchant Marines adjusted to be competitive with foreign trade.