Eyewitness History of the World 2.0

THAILAND

Archeological evidence suggests that Thailand (formerly Siam) 
was the center of a significant Stone Age culture as early as 
3500 BC, and of ironworking as early as 2000 BC. The area was 
controlled by the Cambodian Funan Empire in the AD 400s. By the 
600s, the Mon peoples had established kingdoms in the area, and 
introduced Buddhism. The northeastern region remained in the 
hands of the Khmer Empires that followed Funan, notably that 
of Angkor in the 800s.
THE THAIS
The Thais began to move into their present territory from southern 
China in the 700s and 800s. In 1238 the first major Thai kingdom 
was founded at Sukhothai. Mongol invasions in China brought further 
migrations, and Sukhothai expanded to overcome the Mon kingdoms 
and extend its rule down the southern peninsula.
CONFLICT WITH BURMA
The Sukhothai kingdom was short-lived, and by 1350 power had 
passed to the south to the kingdom of Ayutthaya. The Thais were 
involved in a long power struggle with first Cambodia and then 
Burma. The contest with Burma was particularly drawn out. After 
successes on both sides, the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767. 
The Thais expelled the Burmese, and in 1782 the present Chakri 
dynasty came to power in the new capital of Bangkok.
EUROPEAN CONTACT
Siam first came into contact with European powers in Southeast 
Asia in the early 1600s, when trading rivalries between the Dutch, 
British, and French developed rapidly. The Siamese were initially 
wary of contact with the Europeans. However, in 1855 a treaty 
was signed with Britain, and similar arrangements with other 
powers followed. During the rule of King Mongut (18041868) the 
Siamese court employed western advisers to help modernize the 
countrys administration and commerce. Siam was the only country 
in Southeast Asia to escape European colonization. It managed 
to maintain its independence by courting good relations with 
the British and the French, although it lost territory to both.
PEACEFUL REVOLUTION
Siam remained under British influence in the early 1900s, becoming 
Britains wartime ally in 1917. Major financial difficulties 
hit the country in the 1930s and these precipitated a bloodless 
political coup (seizure of power) in 1932. The coup created a 
constitutional monarchy and parliamentary government, but throughout 
the 1930s politics were marked by considerable unrest and increasing 
nationalism. Siam changed its name to Thailand in 1939, which 
means land of the free.
WORLD WAR II
Thailand allied to Japan in 1941, immediately after the Japanese 
attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. Thailand declared 
war on the Allies, and annexed the territory it had earlier lost 
to France. The pro-Japanese government was overthrown in 1944.
MILITARY RULE
After the war the country experienced another period of unstable 
government, particularly as a result of the kings assassination 
in 1946. There was a military coup in 1947, and the country was 
ruled by a succession of military governments.
VIETNAM WAR
Thailand supported the United States in the Vietnam War. Following 
the war Thailand absorbed a large number of refugees from Vietnam, 
Cambodia, and Laos. In 1973 student riots over the lack of basic 
freedoms and continued military rule brought down the government. 
There was an attempt at democratic rule, but in 1976 the army 
again took over, and martial law was declared. Thailands foreign 
policy changed. The U.S. military withdrew, and diplomatic relations 
were opened with China and North Korea.
DEMOCRACY
In 1979 democratic elections were held in Thailand. A period 
of stability and prosperity followed, during which Thailands 
economy developed rapidly. The government was ousted by the army 
in 1991, but democracy was restored in 1992 following violent 
demonstrations.

Copyright 1995, 1998 Dorling Kindersley
