The traditional form of Thai administration did not change significantly especially during the Ayutthaya Era. For almost 500 years, there were no major administrative reforms. It was during the Rattanakosin Era that Thailand began to come into contact with foreigners more often than in the past, and cultures and civilization flowed into Thailand. Apart from that, colonial policies of two major nations, Britain and France became a stronger force and a major threat to Thailand. King Chulalongkorn's genius in the face of all of this was to accurately predict the future and to set up appropriate administrative policies that saved Thailand from the political threats as well as introducing Thailand to modernization which became the basis of today's administrative system.

Administrative reform during the reign of King Chulalongkorn from 1892 was significant for the Thai administration system and brought considerable development to the nation. Significant motivations of administrative reform will be discussed later.