 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 |
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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. |
