| The Early Years | Establishment of the Thai Monarchy | Establishment of Bangkok | The Thai Monarchy | The Present Monarch |
The history of Thailand, or Siam as it was originally known, goes back many years, with recent archaeological studies indicating that the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization existed in Thailand about 5,600 years ago. Succesive waves of immigrants, such as Khmer, Mons and Chinese migrated into Thailand from China such that between the 10th and 12th centuries, Khmers ruled much of the northern area of Thailand.
By the early part of1200, city states had been formed in Phayao, Lanna and Sukhothai. In 1238 the first truly independent Thai Kingdom was established in Sukhotai following an uprising against the ruling Khmer. The Thai people gradually expanded along the Chao Phraya river and a the following years saw the establishment of Theravada Budhism as the primary Thai religion and the creation of the Thai alphabet.
The rise of Ayutthaya, further south, in 1350 saw the decline of Sukhothai which had become preoccupied with religion rather than politics. By the 17th century, Ayutthaya was one of the largest, and richest cities, in Asia with a population of over 1 million people. With gold statues of buddha and many tall spires, it became known as Krung Thep - the City of Angels. Ayutthaya remained the capital of Thailand until 1767 when it was destroyed by invaders from what is now Myanmar (Burma). Duing its 417 years as capital of siam, Ayutthaya experienced the rule of 33 kings and its fall was a severe blow to the people who had established a distinctive culture and lifestyle.
Establishment of the Thai Monarchy
The Thai people rebelled against the invading Burmese and a new capital was established, by King Taksin, in Thon Buri, near the existing Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) on the banks of the Chao Phraya river. Taskin was deposed and executed when, it is said, his behaviour, as a result of madness, became too much for his fellow lords to stand. In 1782, Thong Duang, a general with the title of Chakri, was selected to become the new ruler. He took the name of Ramathibodi, a former 14th centrury Thai king. This was later simplified by one of his descendents such that all Thai kings are now known by the name Rama, the name of the ancient god warrior of the Indian literary classic the Ramayana. Thus Thong Duang, King Ramathibodi, is known as Rama I and succeding kings have been known as Rama II, Rama III etc. Rama I established an absolute monarchy which was not to end until 1932.
Establishment of Bangkok as the capital city
Thon Buri was too small for the capital of Siam so in 1782 Rama I established a new capital - a new Krung Thep - on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya river. This land was previously used for growing wild plums (kok) and the capital became known as Ban Kok (village of wild plums) or Bangkok as it is known outside Thailand today. Note, however, that the Thai people still refer to bangkok as Krung Thep in their own language.
The Thai people have always had a great deal of respect for their monarch and the royal family. One of the most well known of Siam's kings was Rama IV (1851 - 1868), also known as King Mongkut. A highly intelligent and educated man, he opened Siam to modern ideas and western trade, while skillfully and diplomatically resisting western attempts at colonisation. His son Rama V (1868 - 1910), King Chulalongkorn, continued the regime of modernisation, abolishing slavery and introducing electric lighting, the nation's first hospital and the first motor cars to Bangkok. Rama V was the first Siamese King to travel to Europe and he sent many of his sons to study at universities in Europe.
Rama VII (1910 - 1925), King Vajiravudh, encouraged both a strong sense of nationalism and discussion of accepted ways, especially through drama and philosophy. His successor, Rama VII (1925 - 1935), King Prajadipok had not anticipated succeding to the thrown and he inherited a country which was not in a strong financial position. On the 150th anniversay of the Chakri dynasty, revolutionary fervor, culminating on June 24th 1932, replaced the absolute monarch with constitutional monarchy. King Vajiravudh abdicated in 1935, to be replaced by Rama VIII (1935 - 1946), King Ananda, who, as a young boy, spent most of the next 11 years studying in Switzerland. He returned to Thailand in 1946 but died in mysterious circumstances that are still not fully understood.
Four years later, King Ananda's brother Rama IX (1946 - ), His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej, was crowned king and is now the longest reigning monarch in the world. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 5th December 1927, he is widely loved and repected by the people of Thailand. King Bhumipol, together with his wife, Queen Sirikit, whom he married on 20th April 1950, have done much to relieve the poverty of the Thai People and to establish Thailand in its present position in South East Asia.
Updated 3rd May 1999