Thailand-History
Thailand means "land of the free",and throughout our 800-year history,Thailand can boast the
distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never to have colonized. Our country's
history devides into 5 majors periods.
NANCHAO PERIOD(650-1250 A.D.)
The Thai people founded their Kingdom in the southern part of China,Which is'Yunan','Kwangsi'
and'Canton' today.A great number migrated south as far as the Chao Phya Basin and settled down over
the central plain under 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.
SUKHOTHAI PERIOD(1238-1378 A.D.)
Thais began to emerge as a dominant force in the region tn the 13th century,gradully asserting
independece 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. It's influence over Sukhothai.
AYUTTHAYA PERIOD(1650-1767)
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,especially Burma.During the 17th century Siam started diplomatic and commercial
connections with western countries.
In 1767,a Burmese invasion succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya.Despite their overwhelming victory
,the Burmese didn't 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.
THONBURI 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 renewed Burmese attack.He established his new
capital at Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phya river.The rule of Taksin was not easy one
.The lack of central authority since the fall of Ayutthaya had let to rapid disintegration of the
kingdom,and Taksin's reign was spent reuniting the provinces.
RATTANAKOSIN PERIOD(1782-NOW)
After Taksin's death,General Chakri became the first king of the Chakri dynasty,Rama I,ruling
frm 1782 to 1809.His first action as king was transfer the royal capital across the river from
Thonburi 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 colonialization 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.Compusry 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 newphew,King Ananda Mahidol(1935-1946).The country's name was changed
from Siam to Thailand with the advent of democratic government in 1939.
Our present monarch,King Bhumibol Adulyadej,is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty.
THAILAND-HISTORY
