According to the brief history of thailand saw settlers migrating from southern china during the Christian era and formed numerous city like states which is Thailand today. Slowly the Thais migrated further south to the broad and fertile central plains, and extended their dominance over the entire Indochina Peninsula. Recent archaeological discoveries around the northeast hamlet of Ban Chiang point that the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization was prospering in Thailand some 5,000 years ago.
History of Thailand during the Sukhothai Period (1238-1438)
Sukhothai period is seen as the golden age of Thai culture as it was the first Thai kingdom founded in 1238 by two Thai governors, Khun Bang Klang Thao (Sri Inthrathit) and Khun Pha Muang. These two were who rebelled against the Khmers; and gave independence to the region. Thailand saw a flourishing time during the Sukhothai period; it gained independence in 1238 and quickly expanded its boundary of influence.
Ayutthaya Period (1351-1767)
U-Thong King in 1350 founded the Ayutthaya, the capital of the Thai Kingdom. Ayutthaya as an island is formed by the gathering of three rivers, and surrounded by rice terraces. The area was settled prior to this date as the region offered a variety of geographical and economic advantages. The Thai kings of Ayutthaya became powerful in the 14th and 15th centuries, taking over U-Thong, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya.
King U-Thong and his immediate successors extended Ayutthaya's territory but the greater size of government could not remain the same as during the days of King Ramkhamhaeng. The middle of 16th century saw, Ayutthaya and the independent kingdom in Chiang Mai being put under the control of the Burmese, but Thais could regain it by end of the century.
Ayutthaya was again invaded by the Burmese in 1765 and the soldiers ruined everything. After the capital fell in their hands for two years, the Burmese effectiveness could not further hold the kingdom. Phaya Taksin, a Thai general, promoted himself to be the king in 1769 and ruled the new capital of Thonburi on the bank of Chao Phraya River, opposite Bangkok. Thais regained control of their country and thus scattered themselves to the provinces in the north and central part of Thailand. Taksin eventually turned himself to be the next Buddha and was pulled down and executed by his ministers who did not support his religious values.
Thonburi Period (1767-1782)
General Taksin, a general of Aydthaya, after the fall of Ayudthaya, formed an army of loyalists to take revenge for his country. He was successful in chasing away the Burmese troops. He decided to build a new capital along the Chaopraya River and named it "Thonburi" after Ayudthaya fell. King Taksin ruled a peaceful country for over 15 years and during those years was able to extended diplomatic relationship with many countries. It was unfortunate though that King Taksin, who devoted his life to protect his country, was over stressed and ultimately became insane. Thonburi was collapsed because of the coup in 1782 by General Chakri. King Taksin's achievements have caused prosperity to bestow on him the epithet "the Great".
Thailand history From absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy
History of Thailand took an important turn on 24 June 1932 when a group of young intellectuals, educated abroad and filled with the concept of Western democracy, staged a bloodless coup, demanding a change form absolute to a constitutional monarchy. The Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) agreed to the ending of absolute monarchy and the transfer of power to the constitution-based system of government as demanded to avoid any bloodshed.
On 10 December 1932, His Majesty signed Thailand's first constitution and thus ended 700 years of Thailand absolute monarchy. The basic concepts of constitutional government and monarchy laid down in the 1932 constitution have remained unaltered, though a number of successive constitutions have followed within a short period of just over half a century. |
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