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
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 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 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. 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.
Holidays.BKKTH.COM
Presents
Desing by Holidays.BKKTH.COM
Written by Tourism
Authority of Thailand
Thailand History !
