Up to the present time, most of the studies in Thai-Ch'ing relationships at the time of Rama I (reign 1782-1809) were conducted on the basis of classical Chinese documents. These studies were mainly interested in the commercial aspects of the bilateral relationships, and there was a remarkable tendency of ignoring the political problems which characterized the transitional period from Thonburi to the Rattanakosin dynasty. For this reason, I tried to utilize both Thai and Chinese documents to clarify 1) the process of Thai diplomacy caused by the dynastic change, and 2) the difference between Thailand and Ch'ing in regard to their consciousness about the dynastic change and the continuation of tributary relationships. The documents I used were Chronicle of Rama I and Royal Letters Rama I Granted to China (Nangsu Chaek.) on the Thai side, and Tach'ing shih-lu, Ming-Ching shih-liao, Ch'ing-tai wai-chiao shih-liao, etc on the Ch'ing side. The comparative analysis of those documents has revealed considerably the concrete process of Thai-Ch'ing diplomacy as the result of Rama I's accession, as well as the notable difference of opinions which existed between the two countries in terms concerning the legitimacy of Rama I' sovereignty and the importance of tributary relationships. It was also made clear that in spite of those facts, the Thai-Ch'ing relationships were maintained peacefully, thanks to the tampering of official diplomatic letters by the viceroy of Canton and Chinese merchants who intermediated between Thailand and Ch'ing.
