Evaluate the internal and external factors that enabled the Siamese monarchy to maintain independence during the reign of Rama V (Chulalongkorn). 

Candidates will make an appraisal of the internal and external factors that enabled the Siamese monarchy to maintain independence during the reign of Rama V (Chulalongkorn’s) by weighing up the importance or otherwise of each. They may choose to focus on internal forces and external forces separately or they may adopt a chronological approach. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the internal and the external forces, or they may prioritize their evaluation of one, but both will be a feature in relation to Siamese independence. Candidates may refer to the modernization and reform initiated by his father, Rama IV (Mongkut), the centralization of the bureaucracy and the judiciary, financial changes, the role of the military, the control of social unrest, westernization in dress, architecture and technology, the concept of national borders and identity, trade, and the territorial rivalries between the European powers. These need not all be covered or covered equally. While other, relevant, factors may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.