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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
:
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 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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