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History of Thailand
Thailand means "land of the free",
and throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being
the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized. Its history is
divided into five major periods:
Sukhothai Period
(1238-1378 A.D.)
The Thai people founded their kingdom in the southern part of China, which is
Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great number of people migrated south as far
as the Chao Phraya Basin and settled down over the Central Plain under the
sovereignty of the Khmer Empire, whose culture they probably accepted.
The Thai people founded their independent state of Sukhothai around 1238 A.D.,
which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai Period.
Nanchao Period (650-1250
A.D.)
Thai's began to emerge as a dominant force in the region in the13th century,
gradually asserting independence from existing Khmer and Mon kingdoms.
Called by
its rulers "the dawn of happiness", this is often considered the golden era of
Thai history, an ideal Thai state in a land of plenty governed by paternal and
benevolent kings, the most famous of whom was King Ramkamhaeng the Great.
However in 1350, the mightier state of Ayutthaya exerted its influence over
Sukhothai.
Ayutthaya Period
(1350-1767)
The Ayutthaya kings adopted Khmer cultural influences from the very beginning.
No longer the paternal and accessible rulers that the kings of Sukhothai had
been, Ayutthaya's sovereigns were absolute monarchs and assumed the title
devaraja (god-king).
The early part of this period saw Ayutthaya extend its
sovereignty over neighboring Thai principalities and come into conflict with its
neighbors, During the 17th century, Siam started diplomatic and commercial
relations with western countries.
In 1767, a Burmese invasion succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya. Despite their
overwhelming victory, the Burmese did not retain control of Siam for long. A
young general named Phya Taksin and his followers broke through the Burmese
encirclement and escaped to Chantaburi. Seven months after the fall of
Ayutthaya, he and his forces sailed back to the capital and expelled the Burmese
occupation garrison.
Thon Buri Period (1767-1772)
General Taksin, as he is popularly known, decided to transfer the capital from
Ayutthaya to a site nearer to the sea which would facilitate foreign trade,
ensure the procurement of arms, and make defense and withdrawal easier in case
of a renewed Burmese attack. He established his new capital at Thon Buri on the
west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
The rule of Taksin was not an easy one. The lack of central authority since the
fall of Ayutthaya led to the rapid disintegration of the kingdom, and Taksin's
reign was spent reuniting the provinces.
Rattanakosin Period (1782
- the Present)
After Taksin's death, General Chakri became the first king of the Chakri
Dynasty, Rama I, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His first action as king was to
transfer the royal capital across the river from Thon Buri to Bangkok and build
the Grand Palace.
Rama II (1809-1824) continued the restoration begun by his predecessor.King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) reopened relations with
Western nations and developed trade with China.
King Mongkut, Rama IV,
(1851-1868) of "The King and I" concluded treaties with European countries,
avoided colonialisation and established modern Thailand. He made many social and
economic reforms during his reign.
King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition of
reform, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative
system. Compulsory education and other educational reforms were introduced by
King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925).
During the reign of King Prajadhipok,
(1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional
monarchy. The king abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew, King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946).
The country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand
with the advent of a democratic government in 1939. Our present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty.
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