The Thai people originated in Southeastern
China where, in 650 AD they founded the independent kingdom of Nanchao
which thrived for 600 years. However, invasions and an unwillingness
to be incorporated into mainstream Chinese society led to waves of
migrations southward into what is now Thailand. Eventually several
groups of Thai migrants united and established Sukhothai as their
capital in the mid 13th century.
Although other civilizations had existed on
Thai soil much earlier,Sukhothai was the first sovereign kingdom
of Thailand. It flourished for over 100 years during which time
the distinctive forms of Thai art, architecture and culture were
firmly implanted.
At approximately the same time, King Mengrai, an ally of Sukhothai,
was establishing the northern Lannathai Kingdom, centered on
Chiang Mai which was founded in 1296.
In the mid 14th century a new and more powerful dynasty arose
at Ayutthaya, an island city in the Chao Phraya River 85 kilometers
north of present day Bangkok.
Quickly gaining in wealth, military might and prestige, Ayutthaya
absorbed the former kingdom of Sukhothai and remained Thailand's
capital for 417 years,holding sway over most of the country except
the North.
Ayutthaya prospered steadily, reaching the height of its power
in the 17th century when diplomatic relations with the West were
established and trade agreements made with the leading European
powers of the day. Weakened by internal conflicts, Ayutthaya
fell to the Burmese in 1767.
After fleeing south the survivors of Ayutthaya were rallied
under king Taksin who founded a new capital at Thonburi and eventually
succeeded in expelling the Burmese from Thai soil.
On the death of Taksin in 1782 Chao Phraya Chakri
was proclaimed king and as Rama I was founder of the present
Chakri dynasty. For strategic purposes he moved his capital across
the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok.
Under the Chakri Kings the borders of Thailand were consolidated
and other parts of the country were gradually brought under the
full control of the central government. Rama VI (King Mongkut,
18511868), secured ties with the West, especially with France
and Britain, while at the same time, assuring his country's independence
and avoiding the colonial fate of all Thailand's neighbours.
King Mongkut's successor, Rama V (King Chulalongkorn, 1868-1910),
brought about many social and political reforms that firmly guided
Thailand into the 20th century.
The absolute monarchy was to continue through the reign of Rama
IV (1910-1925) and into that of Rama VII (1925-1934). But in
1932 a coup d'etat succeeded in bringing about a change to a
constitutional monarchy. Rama VII accepted the situation although
he abdicated two year after the coup.
The throne passed to the young King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)
who was succeeded by his brother King Bhumipol (Rama IX), the
present monarch. |