Ancient history
Thailand has been populated since the dawn of civilisation in Asia (Around 20,000 years). There are many beliefs and opinions but it is believed that Thai's originated in northern Vietnam before migrating to southern China. They then later migrated along the southern part of China to Thailand. After splitting into two main groups, one group settled in the North and became the Kingdom of 'Lan Na' which was later taken over by the Burmese in the 16th century. The other group went to the upper basin of the Chao Phraya River, naming their kingdom 'Sukhothai' which later spread southward.
Archaeological evidence suggest that the first true agriculturists in the world, perhaps also the first metal workers, spoke an early form of Thai and lived in what we know today as Thailand. Rice has been growing in north-eastern Thailand since 400 BC.
Many kingdoms flourished in the region from the 6th to 9th centuries AD before the Khmer in the 9th to 13th centuries AD, extended their empire. They spread from Angkor, their capital (now in Cambodia) to the Thailand region. In the 14th century Sukhothai was no longer the most prestigious kingdom. Instead the Kingdom of Ayutthaya become very powerful. Residents in neighbouring areas called the kingdom Siam and its ruling Thai people became known as the Siamese. Ayutthaya ruled for more than 400 years and during its ruling the Theravada Buddhism became deeply in bedded in the Siamese culture. Burmese attacked and overthrew Ayutthaya in 1767, Taskin. a Siamese general, ousted the Burmese and later that year became king.
Archaeological evidence suggest that the first true agriculturists in the world, perhaps also the first metal workers, spoke an early form of Thai and lived in what we know today as Thailand. Rice has been growing in north-eastern Thailand since 400 BC.
Many kingdoms flourished in the region from the 6th to 9th centuries AD before the Khmer in the 9th to 13th centuries AD, extended their empire. They spread from Angkor, their capital (now in Cambodia) to the Thailand region. In the 14th century Sukhothai was no longer the most prestigious kingdom. Instead the Kingdom of Ayutthaya become very powerful. Residents in neighbouring areas called the kingdom Siam and its ruling Thai people became known as the Siamese. Ayutthaya ruled for more than 400 years and during its ruling the Theravada Buddhism became deeply in bedded in the Siamese culture. Burmese attacked and overthrew Ayutthaya in 1767, Taskin. a Siamese general, ousted the Burmese and later that year became king.
CONTEMPORARY History
The modern period began when the founder of the still-reigning Chakri Dynasty seized power in 1782. The capital, Bangkok was established by King Rama I.
The Chakri kings opened Siam to Western influences and trade in the 19th century. Though the country lost some of its territory/land, the diplomacy helped save Siam from European colonization.
In 1932, because of the first of a series of military coups, the government was changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Later in 1939, the country was renamed Thailand. The last coup occurred in 1991 and since then there has been no bloodshed during the numerous government changes.
The Thai economy grew substantially in the second half of the 20th century even though the country's political instability.However, other countries in south-east Asia suffered from financial crisis' and economy setbacks in the late 1990's.
For more contemporary history and information, please click on the 'Wars' or 'Tsunami' links above, under this page.
The Chakri kings opened Siam to Western influences and trade in the 19th century. Though the country lost some of its territory/land, the diplomacy helped save Siam from European colonization.
In 1932, because of the first of a series of military coups, the government was changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Later in 1939, the country was renamed Thailand. The last coup occurred in 1991 and since then there has been no bloodshed during the numerous government changes.
The Thai economy grew substantially in the second half of the 20th century even though the country's political instability.However, other countries in south-east Asia suffered from financial crisis' and economy setbacks in the late 1990's.
For more contemporary history and information, please click on the 'Wars' or 'Tsunami' links above, under this page.