The First World War had no direct impact on Siam (now known as Thailand); due to its great distance not only from Europe; but even from Germany's colonial territories in the Pacific and on the China Coast. However; the war did provide an opportunity for King Vajiravudh of Siam; Rama VI; to strengthen his country's position in the international arena; and to strengthen the position of the monarchy within the Thai state.

Though it had been successful in maintaining its independence from the European colonial powers; Siam had been forced to cede Laos; Cambodia; plus its own four southernmost provinces; at the height of imperialism between 1889 and 1909; and had also had to grant extraterritorial rights to foreign citizens. Rama VI hoped to revise these unequal treaties by taking the side of the Allied Powers.