History of Thailand

The 14th and 15th centuries witnessed the establishment of the kingdom of Ayutthaya, which continued until it fell to the Burmese, initially in 1569, then again in 1760 before finally falling again in 1767.
Thailand’s current Chakri Dynasty began in 1782 when Phraya Chakri ascended the throne as King Ramathibodi, Rama I. The new dynasty moved the country’s capital city to Bangkok where it remains to this day. Current king Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, is the world’s longest serving current head of state and Thailand’s longest reigning monarch, having ascended to the throne in 1946.

King Mongkut, Rama IV, instigated trade and diplomatic relations with European countries in the mid-19th century. He also instituted educational reforms, developing a school system along European lines. His son, King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, led Thailand into the 20th century, establishing an effective civil service, formalising global relations and introducing industrialisation. He united the royal line under the title Rama and assigned the title Rama I to the dynasty's first king.

During the reign of King Prajadhipok, Rama VII, Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy following a successful coup d’état in 1932. The country’s name was officially changed from Siam to Prathet Thai, or Thailand, meaning "land of the free" in 1939. The Thai use the phrase "land of the free" to express pride in the fact that Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never to be colonised by a European state.

The Thai military government sided with the Japanese forces in WW2 and were involved in the construction of the infamous Burma-Siam railway, made legend by the fictional British film Bridge Over The River Kwai. The government also allowed US forces to use Thai territory during the Vietnam War.

Democracy has developed slowly in Thailand with corruption allegations, demonstrations and military coups derailing the process on several occasions. After a quarter of a century of military rule, civilian government was restored to Thailand in 1973 following student riots in Bangkok, but this was to last only three years before the military again took control. The country continues to move between civilian and military governments.

On December 26 2004, an earthquake in Southeast Asia triggered a tsunami that impacted considerably upon Thailand's touristic infrastructure. The west coast was the worst hit area, including outlying areas and tourist resorts near Phuket. Many hotels were ruined; thousands were killed. Thailand has however made a strong recovery from this terrible catastrophe and continues to be one of the world’s top travel destinations.

Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female Prime Minister assumed office on August 5th 2011 following the 2011 general election. Leader of the populist Pheu Thai Party, which replaced the controversial People’s Power Party in 2008, her party won a majority with 265 of the 480 seats. She is the country's ninth leader in just over five years.