Far East Kingdoms

Thailand

The perspective on Thai history has been changed by archaeological excavations in the north-east of the country. Discoveries involving bronze metallurgy seems to suggest, controversially, that the Thais might have originated in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of Asia, including China. No definite conclusion has been reached, and many more theories have been put forward with some suggesting that Thais were originally of Austronesian rather than Mongoloid origin.

(Additional introductory details by Kris Tang, and from External Link: Thai History.)

Thai Period

Until recently, the accepted theory was that the Thai / T'ai people originated in north-western China, and migrated south to Thailand in around 600 BC. Once there, they split into two main groups; one settled in the north and founded the kingdom of Lan Na, the other settled further south to found the kingdom of Sukhothai. A Hindu migration followed in 300 BC which gave the country a diverse ethnic and cultural background.

c.AD 1238

The Sukhothai kingdom is founded in the south of Thailand.

The Thai people first arrived in the region around 600 BC, settling in the north and south

c.AD 1259

The Lan Na kingdom is founded in the north of Thailand.

Ayuddhya (Ayutthya) Kingdom
AD 1350 - 1767

Founded by King U-Thong in 1350, he expanded Ayutthaya's territory, especially northwards towards Sukhothai and eastwards towards the Khmer capital of Angkor. The government was an autocracy, and there were, roughly, three classes of people; the king at the top of the scale, along with the king's family and ministries, then commoners, and slaves at the bottom. The first Europeans to visit the country visited Ayutthaya, which was responsible for one of Thailand's most glorious eras. The capital was roughly 55 kilometres north of Bangkok.

1350

U-Thong

Founded kingdom.

1351 - 1369

Ramathibodi I

1369 - 1370

Ramesuan

1370 - 1388

Borommaracha I

1388

Thong Chan

1388 - 1395

Ramesuan

Restored?

1395 - 1409

Ramaracha

1409 - 1424

Intharacha I

1424 - 1448

Borommaracha II

1438

Sukhothai is conquered by Ayuddhya.

1448 - 1463

Borommatrailokanat

Ruled in Phitsanulok only (1463-1488).

1463 - 1488

Borommaracha III

1488 - 1491

Intharacha II

1491 - 1529

Ramathibodi II

1511

A Portuguese embassy is established soon after the arrival of these first Europeans.

1529 - 1569

Ayutthya, and Lan Na's capital at Chiang Mai are taken under the control of the Burmese. The Thais are able to regain both states' capitals, Ayutthya's being regained by 1584.

1529 - 1533

Borommaracha IV

1533 - 1534

Ratsada

1534 - 1547

Chairacha

1547 - 1548

Yot Fa

1548

Khun Worawongsa

1548 - 1569

Chakkraphat

1569

Mahin

1569 - 1590

Maha Thammaracha

Burmese vassal.

1575

A new Royal Seal is obtained from China.

1590 - 1605

Naresuan

Fought the Khmer. Defeated the Burmese.

1593

The Burmese are defeated at the battle of Nong Sarai.

1605 - 1610/11

Ekatotsarot

1610? - 1611

Si Saowaphak

May not have ruled.

1610/11 - 1628

Songtham / Somg Tham Intharacha

1628 - 1629

Chetta

1629

Athittayawong

1629 - 1656

Prasat Thong

1656

Chai

1656

Suthammaracha

1656 - 1688

Narai

Established first French embassy.

1688 - 1703

Phra Phetracha

1703 - 1709

Sua

1709 - 1733

Phumintharacha / Thai Sa

1733 - 1758

Borommakot

1758

Uthumphon

1758 - 1767

Suriyamarin

1765 - 1767

The Burmese invade Ayutthaya again and, this time, succeed. However, after two years the Burmese find they cannot hold onto the kingdom. However, the kingdom in now in a power vacuum.

1769

Phaya Taksin, a Thai general, flees to Krung Thonburi and promotes himself king.

Krung Thonburi Kingdom
AD 1769 - 1782

Phaya Taksin was a Thai general from the Ayuddhya Kingdom who fled to Krung Thonburi and promoted himself king, taking advantage of the power vacuum which existed after the Burmese had been driven out of the region.

1769 - 1782

Phaya Taksin

Former general who filled a power vacuum.

1774 & 1776

Krung Thonburi conquers Lan Na.

1782

Taksin is executed by his ministry, allegedly because he is psychotic. Rule of the country passes to the Chakris.

Rattanakosin Kingdom (Chakri Dynasty)
AD 1782 - Present Day

The Chakris were inaugurated on 6 April 1782. The official name of the monarch is always Rama. Their personal names are shown after this. Siam was the only south-east Asian country to remain independent during the European Colonial Period.

1782 - 1809

Rama I / Buddha Yot Fa Chulalok

Founded dynasty.

Rama raises new laws to govern the country, and extends Thailand's territory to encompass all of Laos, and parts of Burma, Cambodia, and the Kedah province in Malaysia. At this time the country is known as Siam. Rama also realises that the capital at Krung Thonburi is vulnerable to invasion, so has it moved across the River Chao Phaya to a small village known as Bangkok.

1809 - 1824

Rama II

The reign of Rama II is recognised as a glorious one for artistry and literature. He writes a new version of Ramayana, which becomes one of the most beautiful epics in history. Many pieces of valuable literature are written in this era.

1824 - 1851

Rama III / Nang Klao

Re-established vital trade relations with China.

1851 - 1686

Rama IV / Mongkut (Phra Chom Klao)

Rama IV lives as a Buddhist monk for 27 years. During his monastic period, he learns seven languages including Latin and English, and five others. He also studies western sciences and adopts the discipline of the local Mon monks. Under his reign, he creates new laws to improve women's and children's rights, opens new waterways and roads, and creates the first printing press. (He is also made forever famous in the west by being the subject of the musical film, The King and I.)

1868 - 1910

Rama V / Chulalongkorn

Son.

Chulalongkorn starts to reform the tradition, legal and administrative realms by allowing officials to sit on chairs during royal audiences. Thailand develops relations with European nations and the USA. Chulalongkorn introduces schools, roads, railways, and Thailand's first post office. He even establishes a civil service system.

1886

Siam loses some territory to the French, Laos, and British-controlled Burma. After that Chulalongkorn declares Thailand an independent kingdom on 23 of October, making the day a national holiday (every year this national holiday is celebrated in commemoration of this event and people lay wreaths in memory of the king they call 'Phra Piya Maharaj', Piya meaning beloved, and Maharaj means the great king).

1892

The king overhauls the administration of Siam to a form of cabinet government with twelve ministers.

1910 - 1925

Rama VI / Vajiravudh

Son.

Vajiravudh introduces westernization to Thailand, introducing primary school education, and encouraging Thai women to grow their hair to a certain length. Surnames and football are introduced.

1925 - 1935

Rama VII / Prachadhipok

Brother.

Prachadhipok changes Siam's form of government from absolute monarchy to democracy. This revolution develops the constitutional monarchy along British lines, with mixed military and civilian power-holders.

1932 - 1945

Lord Phibul Songkhram is a key military leader in a coup. He maintains his own position and power from 1938 until the end of World War II.

1935 - 1946

Rama VIII / Ananda Mahidolo

Nephew. Assassinated under mysterious circumstances.

1946 - Present

Rama IX / Bhumipol Aduldej

Brother.

1946

The country's name is officially changed from Siam to Thailand, which is defined in the Thai language as 'Prathet Thai', 'Prathet' means 'country' and 'Thai' means 'freedom', declaring Thailand to be the 'Free Country'.