 
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
Nanchao Period (650-1250 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
Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)
Thais 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
neighbours, 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 defence 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_hotel king of the Chakri
Dynasty, Rama I, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His first_hotel 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.
|
