Thailand was already an independent nation even before the World War II, unlike its neighbors which all became independent after the war. Thailand is the only South East Asian country that was not colonized. It must've been pretty tough getting caught in between British empire in its west (Burma, Malaysia, Singapore) and French colonies in its east (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos). In other parts of Asia I've traveled (Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau), 19th Century European influences could be felt but Thailand was an exception for that historic reason.
Thailand has a monarchy, and it is meant to be ceremonial hence it shouldn't have any power to the politics. Though in reality, Thai monarchy intervene with their politics, and the law bans any criticism towards the royal family. Such law exists in other countries too but those laws are usually never put in practice. That, however, is not the case in Thailand–you will be penalized. So be cautious when you talk about Thai royal family...
第二次世界大戦前、ほとんどのアジア諸国が植民地化ないしは従属下に置かれていたのに対し、タイは、第二次世界大戦前から独立を果たしていた。そして、東南アジアで唯一、植民地支配されなかった国（ちなみに第二次世界大戦中は日本の同盟国）。
わたしが旅した他のアジア諸国（インドネシア、香港、マカオ）では「19世紀ヨーロッパ」の影響が街のところどころで顔を出したのに対し、そういった歴史的理由でタイではヨーロッパの影響はほとんど感じられない。グローバリゼーションはもちろん感じられるけれど。