The Thai king stands at the apex…

The Thai king stands at the apex of a highly stratified social and political hierarchy that extends throughout the society.

In Ayutthayan society the basic unit of social organization is the village community composed of extended family households.

Generally the elected headmen provides leadership for communal projects.

Title to land resides with the headman, who holds it in the name of the community, although peasant proprietors enjoy the use of land as long as they cultivate it.