THAILAND, THE HISTORY

The history of Thailand is that of an area of Southeast Asia, rather than of a single nation, and over the centuries numerous peoples have made their home in this region. The most recent were the Tai of Southern China, who migrated south in the first millennium AD, and from whom most Thais today are descended.

         Prehistoric. Thailand was once regarded as a cultural backwater. In the Northeast of the country, however, archaeologists recently uncovered the earliest evidence of agriculture and metallurgy in Southeast Asia. Also among the finds were ceramic pots. some dating as far back as 3000 BC, that display a high level of artistic skill.

       The earliest known powers in the region were the Dvaravati Kingdom(6th-11th centuries AD), the Sumatran based Srivijaya Empire(7th-13th centuries), and the Khmer Empire(9th-13th centuries) based at Angkor all of which were heavily influenced by Indian culture and religion.

      The Lanna Kingdom in the North and the Sukhothai Kingdom, which imported Theravada Buddhism to Thailand, in the Central Plains grew in power from around the 12th century. Today, Thai schoolchildren are taught that Sukhothai marks the beginning of their history. Of all its kings, Ramkamhaeng(1279-98) stands out: part heroic myth, part historical figure.

       Sukhothai was conquered by the Kingdom of Ayutthaya in the 14th century. All its height Ayutthaya controlled most of what is now Thailand, and the city of Ayutthaya saw the arrival of the first Europeans. The city was destroyed by the Burm 1767. Subsequently, a new city, Krung Thep(Bangkok), was built farther south, on the Chao Phraya River, and the Chakri dynasty founded. In the 19th century Kings Mongkut and Chulalongkorn modernized Thailand. During this period, Thailand resisted colonization by France and Britain. 

      A revolution in 1932 ended absolute monarchy, and in 1939 Phibun Songkram, formerly a soldier in the Thai army, changed the country's name from Siam to Thailand. There have been a number of coups since then, and a cycle of economic boom and bust in the 1980s and 90's, but Thailand remains relatively stable in comparison to neighboring countries.

Prehistoric Thailand
     Hunter - Gatherers were already established in the area of modern - day Thailand by around 40,000 BC. They lived in semi-permanent settlements and made tools from wood and stone. Ancient seed husks found in caves in Northern Thailand have led to speculation that agriculture began to develop around 9000 BC. Rice was being cultivated around 3000 BC. Subsequently, in the area of Ban Chiang, elaborate pottery and bronze work began to be produced. This Bronze Age culture is believed by some historians to be the earliest in the world.

Ban Chiang Pottery
     Pots found at Ban Chiang date from 3000 BC to AD 200. Until their discovery in 1966, this area of Southeast Asia was thought to have produced little of cultural merit in prehistoric times. These, and other finds, show that the indigenous peoples were capable of producing sophisticated, beautiful works of art.

Where to See Pre-Historic. Thailand
    At Ban Chiang visitors can see burial sites and artifacts housed in the Ban Chiang National Museum. More Ban Chiang artifacts can be seen in the Bangkok National Museum. At Ban Kao there are burial sites and a museum, and cave paintings can be seen at Pha Taem and Phu Phrabat historical Park.