Thailand History, Facts and Time Line

Interesting Facts about Thailand History. Did you know?

1. It is a fact that Thailand or Siam as it was called until 1939 means "Land of the Free".

2. It is a fact that Thailand has never been colonised by a foreign power and always kept its independence, unlike its south and Southeast Asian neighbours. There was only a brief occupation by the Japanese in World War II.

3. It is a fact that pottery shards bearing the imprint of both grains and husks of rice were discovered at Non Nok Tha near Korat dating from at least 4000 B.C. (6000 years ago). The pottery shards found at the Non Nok Tha site are amongst the worlds oldest.

4. It is a fact that the world's first domestic cultivation of rice was in Isaan near today's Korat.

5. It is a fact that the indigenous Thai discovered rice cultivation for the world.

6. It is a fact that the early Chinese people learned how to make bronze from the Thai.

7. It is a fact that medieval Thailand had moveable printing presses. The type was made from baked oxen dung.

8. It is a fact that before world war two the forest in Thailand covered about 65% of available land. Now the forest has decreased to fewer than 20% of all the land.

9. It is a fact that Buddhism introduced by the Mons has melded with indigenous beliefs and thus evolved into today's Thai version of Buddhism.

10. It is a fact that Thai Buddhism is a unique form of Buddhism & many Hindu practices are present in the Thai culture.

11. It is a fact that at its zenith the city state of Ayutthaya, 1350 - 1767, was among the largest & most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Important Dates in Thai History Time Line

1238 King Si Inthrathit founds the Kingdom of Sukhothai.

1275 King Ramkhamhaeng ascends to the throne.

1283 Thai Alphabet established.

1350 Kingdom of Ayutthaya founded.

1688 Foreigners get expelled from the Kingdom.

1767 Burmese sack and destroy Ayutthaya.

1782 Chakri Dynasty founded by Thong Duang, who was crowned King Rama I.

1785 Bangkok becomes the capital of Siam.

1851 King Rama IV ascends to the throne.

1855 King signs treaty with British and imports Western technology.

1932 People’s party comes to power and a constitutional monarchy is formed.

1935 King Rama VII goes into voluntary exile in England.

1957 Military coup during Thailand’s general elections.

1973 Students hold pro democracy demonstrations.

1976 The October Massacre as the government stops demonstrations.

1988 First elected non-military Prime Minister since 1977.

1991 Military coup abolishes constitution.

1992 Troops kill hundreds of protestors.

1992-1996 Economic prosperity slows down.

1996 Stock market crashes.

1997 Asian Financial Crisis.