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 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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