Timeline - chronology of key events - in the “Land of the Free”

20 May 2010

Although the history of Thailand has been quite turbulent over the centuries, it has always remained faithful to its culture, tradition and religion. The Thai people are very proud of their history, as, despite the country’s location in such an unstable region of the world, it has never been completely colonised.

Thailand | Fluttering national flags - throughout its turbulent past, Thailand has always remained a free country (by rwp-roger )

The history of the country in a nutshell

1238                         The beginning of Thai history - the first capital – Sukhotai – created

1259                         Lan Na Kingdom established in the north

1351                         Ayutthaya kingdom established

1431                         Ayutthaya conquers the Khmer Empire

1767                         Ayutthaya conquered by the Burmese

1768                         General Taksin moves the capital to Thon Buri

1782                         Beginning of the Chakri Dynasty

                                  The capital moved to Bangkok

1851-1868              Reign of Rama IV (Mongkut)

1868-1910              Reign of Rama V (Chulalongkorn)

1910-1925              Reign of Rama VI (Vajiravudh)

1932                         Coup - Siam becomes a constitutional monarchy

1939                         Siam changes its name to Thailand

1939-1945              World War II, Thailand first supports Japan,
                                  then the Allies

1946                         Rama IX (Bhumibol) comes to the throne

1945-1973              Contacts with the western powers

                                  The Vietnam War – US military bases in Thailand

1973-1992              Conflicts within the country – struggle for power, democracy established

1997-2001              Constitution declared

                                  Economic crisis

2004                         A wave of attacks in the largely Muslim south

2006                         Coup, 1997 Constitution revoked 

2007                         New constitution enacted

2008-2010             Political crisis in Thailand, anti-Government protests, 
                                 several Prime Ministers accused of nepotism, corruption and lack of respect for democratic principles

Thailand | The Democracy Monument was started in 1939 to commemorate the 1932 revolution that ended the absolute monarchy and introduced Siam's first constitution.
(by rwp-roger )