Indigenous States Theory
Instead of the theory of the migration from southern China which has previously often been proposed, some posit an Indigenous States theory. A number of indigenous states were able to absorb foreign political and cultural influences, and forge their own distinct cultural identity.
Previously, the studies on the initial state of Thai history has been confined to the preconception that both its origin and existence were the results only of the Indian influences. These influences were seen as being a significant cause of early Thai state becoming a unified state of with vast territorial power covering areas of the Indochina peninsula. Furthermore, the idea of a unified state also extended to the belief that its citizens were all of Mon descent.
But this preconception ignored the fact that the indigenous groups already had their own political and cultural systems, although numerous and diverse, which were both individualistic and well developed. They had contacted and exchanged between the groups and then established a common culture before the advent of Indian influences.
Read more about this topic: Initial States Of Thailand
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