About Thai

Introduction | History | Festival | Religion | Monarchy | The Thai Family | Thai Food

Thailand means "land of the free". Its history is divided into four major periods:

• Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)
Thais began to emerge as a dominant force in the region in the 13th century, gradually asserting independence from existing Khmer and Mon kingdoms. Called by its rulers "the dawn of happiness", this is often considered as the "golden age" of Thai politics, religion and culture, 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 A.D.)
During Ayutthaya's 417 years as the capital and under the rule of 34 kings, the Thais brought their distinctive culture to full fruition, and fostered contact with Arabian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and European powers. Contact with the West, especially, flourished during the reign of King Narai the Great (1656-1688), in which an envoy was sent to France to establish foreign diplomatic relations. Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya remained the Thai capital until it was sacked and burned by the Burmese in 1767.

• Thonburi Period (1767 - 1782 A.D.)
Ayutthaya's downfall was a severe blow to the Thais. However, a Thai revival occurred within a few months, and the Burmese were expelled by King Taksin, who ushered in the Thonburi Period (1767-1782). King Taksin made Thonburi the capital, but it was the shortest-lived capital in Thai history. In 1782 the first king of the present Chakri dynasty, Rama I, established his new capital on the site of a riverside hamlet called Ban Kok (Village of the Wild Plums).

• Rattanakosin Period (1782 - present)
During the Rattanakosin Period (1782 - present), two Chakri monarchs, King Mongkut (Rama IV), who reigned between 1851 and 1868, and his son King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910), saved Thailand from the powerful tides of Western colonialism through adroit diplomacy and selective modernization.

• King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition of reform, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative systems. Compulsory education and other educational reforms were introduced by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925). During the reign of King Prajadhipok, Rama VII (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, Rama VIII(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.