Thailand History Guide » Thailand History

Modern Thailand

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:43:35 +0000

Thailand’s recent history has been marked by funher military coups, successful and otherwise, but it has also enjoyed steady economic and social progress, particularly during the eight-year premiership of General Prem Tinsulanonda (1979-88). The local communist insurgency, at its strongest in the 1970’s, is largely ended, relations with neighboring countries have been improved, and democratic institutions have gained increasing support among the general population. At the same time, Thailand has achieved the status of a “Newly Industrialized Country”, with manufactured exports now exceeding agricultural produce in terms of national revenue.

Modern Thailand

There was an apparent setback national development in May 1992, when bloody riots forced the resignation of the non-elected Prime Minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon and damaged the country’s international image of stability, On the other hand, many knowledgeable observers saw this as an encouraging sign that predominantly middle-class rioters succeeded in their aim of resisting traditional military dominance in political affairs. Over the past decade, there have been a series of democratically elected goverments without military interference. These peaceful elections have been held in spite of an unprecedented economic upheaval which began with a devaluation of the Thai baht in 1997 and eventually spread through most of Asia. In Thailand, the effects have included tbe closure of many finance companies, banks, and manufacturing plants, resulting in a host of social problems and. particularly in Bangkok, scores of unfinished building projects that were started during the boom period. A bail-out effort by the International Monetary Fund, together with positive steps by the government. put the coumry on the road to recovery by the beginning of 2000; but many feel it will be some time before the Thai economy regains its true momentum.

Modern Thailand

A unique Monarchy : King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX)

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:29:08 +0000

One of the outstanding forces in contemporary Thailand is the monarchy that has evolved under King Bhumibol Adulyadej following his official coronation in 1950. Though theoretically operating under constitutional limitations similar to those that apply in Britain, the king has achieved an imposing moral authority rivaling that of his absolute ancestors, largely through an extensive network of royally initiated programs aimed at rural development. Today the king and other members of the royal family spend much of the year outside Bangkok, overseeing such projects as crop substitution for northern hill tribes to replace their traditional opium poppy and improved water resources in the arid northeast. The great respect earned through these endeavors has enabled the king to act as a decisive mediator in times of severe civil unrest, particularly during the student revolution of 1973 and, even more dramatically, during the political upheaval of 1992 when he made an unprecedented television appearance to effect a compromise between the opposing groups.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Thailand in Tumultuous Times

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:22:18 +0000

The next three decades saw a number of coups and counter-coups. Accused of complicity in the death of the king, Pridi was forced into exile by Pibul. Though Pridi attempted two comebacks, in 1949 and 1951, both ended in failure and he retired first to China and finally to France. Pibul remained in power until he, too, was overthrown by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat in 1957 In October 1973 Thai students staged a series of massive demonstrations that overthrew the military government and sent its leaders into exile. Three years of chaotic democracy ensued, but in 1976, alarmed by the unrest and by the fall of Indo-China to communists, rightist elements returned to power in a violent coup in which several hundred students were killed.

King Ananda Mahidol : King Rama VIII

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:16:49 +0000

On June 9,1946, the young King Ananda was found shot dead in his room at the Grand Palace during a visit from Switzerland. His younger brother thus came to the throne as King Bhllmibol Adulyadej, Rama IX. in circumstances that were both tragic and politically explosive.

King Ananda (King Rama VIII)

The Pacific war : World War Two

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:09:12 +0000

In 1940, following the fall of France, skirmishes broke out along the borders of Thailand and Indo-China which resulted in the return of areas in Laos and Cambodia to Thailand thc following year. Upon the outbreak of the Pacific War on December 8, 1941, Japan demanded free passage through southern Thailand for its attack against British territories. Unahle to resist, Pibul granted permission and, further. issued a declaration of war against Great Britain and the United States in January 1942. A Free Thai underground movement was organized by Prjdi during the war, not only bringing him back to power but also enabling Thailand to avoid being treated as an enemy nation following Japan’s defeat.

Power Struggles : Luang Pibulsonggram & Pridi Panamyong

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:01:08 +0000

The two dominant figures in Thai politics during the 1930’s were Luang Pibulsonggram, later known as Field Marshal Pibul, and Dr. Pridi Panomyong. Both men were educated in France. These two leaders held different views on many issues and were in frequent conflict. By the end of the decade, Pibul had become the country’s Prime Minister and Dr. Pridi had held several senior posts, including that of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Luang Pibulsonggram and Pridi Panamyong

End of The Absolute Monarchy in Thailand

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:50:08 +0000

King Rama VI’s successor, Rama VII inherited numerous economic and social problems. On June 24, 1932, a small group of foreign-educated military officers and civil servants staged a coup d’etat calling for a constitutional monarchy. The king, who had already been thinking along such lines himself, granted their request. Later, he became disillusioned and abdicated in 1935, spending the rest of his life in England. Prince Ananda Mahidol, then a boy of 10, was named his successor and a regency council was appointed until he completed his studies in Switzerland.

King Rama VII

King Rama VI to Modern Leaders

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:39:54 +0000

The first Thai ruler to be educated abroad, King Rama VI continued many of the reforms initiated by his father. In 1913, a law was passed requiring Thai citizens to have surnames for the first time; the first university, Chulalongkorn, was established in 1917; the country entered World War One on the side of the Allies; and unequal treaties with Western powers wer renegotiated in Thailand’s favor.

King Rama VII

CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF THAILAND

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:32:41 +0000

In 1910, at the time of King Rama V’s death, Thailand had become a modern nation recognized by the Western world, its boundaries apparently more or less secure. The following 80 years, however, were to be turbulent and marked by momentous events both inside the country and beyond.

The 19th Century of Lanna Kingdom

thailandhistoryguide — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:41:31 +0000

Independent but impoverished, 19th-century Lanna was governed by the family of Kawila, nominally a vassal of Thailand, but in fact autonomous. Not until 1874 was a Thai High Commissioner sent to administer the north and during the reign of King Rama V the region was slowly incorporated into the Thai kingdom. Laos, east of the Mekong, annexed by King Rama I during the Burmese War, was ceded to France in 1893, following a show of force by gunboats.

Chao Kaew Nawarat, last king of Chiang Mai

The Burmese era

thailandhistoryguide — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:36:13 +0000

In 1615, the Burmese King of Ava reestablished control over Lanna, which lasted for more than a century. Actual Burmese presence in the north, however, remained minimal and had very little effect on most of the population. The darkest period in the history of the north began with the rebellion of General Thip, who defeated a Burmese army and proclaimed himself King of Lampang in 1727. His successors eventually ruled in the 19th century, but before that, the King of Ava sent army after army into Lanna and Siam. After the fall of Ayutthaya, Kawila of Lampang and King Taksin of Thonburi joined forces against the Burmese. Having reconquered Chiang Mai in 1776, however, the Thais were forced to abandon the impoverished city. Lanna and Laos were decimated by the endless war; towns such as Chiang Saen, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, previously spared by the Burmese, were destroyed by the Thais to prevent their recapture. The strain, accumulated over many hard-fought battles, took its toll on Taksin and affected his mental health. He becamc eccentric and cruel toward his subordinates. In 1782, an elite group of officials led by Phya San rebelled, forcing Taksin to abdicate.

The Burmese invasion

thailandhistoryguide — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:24:24 +0000

Quarrels over the possession of a powerful talisman, and image of the Buddha, led to a Burmese invasion in 1558 and Lanna became a vassal state of the King of Pegu, governed by Burmese-appointed rulers. king Naresuan of Ayutthaya, fighting the Burmese who and invaded Siam, expelled these rulers from Lanna in 1598 and for the next 17 years Ayutthaya remained the dominant power in the north.

The old walls of Chiang Mai

The golden age of Lanna

thailandhistoryguide — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:19:27 +0000

The 15th century saw the flowering of the Lanna kingdom, which was powerful enough to host an international buddhist gathering in 1455. Trade, art and education flourished, despite the occasional feudal battles between vassals and princes. The west bank of the Mekong (today parts of Laos, Burma and Thailand) was also ruled by the King of Lanna.

Lanna

King Mengrai

thailandhistoryguide — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:14:44 +0000

Unification of the small northern principalities was achieved by King Mengrai, a Ngong Yang chief of mixed Thai and Lawa blood. Embarking on a grand scheme for conquering the whole region, he founded Chiang Rai, seized Haripunchai in 1292, annexed Payao and, in 1296, founded his new capital of Chiang Mai. He thus established the powerful Lanna kingdom, which was to last for 600 years before being annexed by Siam. For a considerable period, toward the end of the kingdom, it was in effect under Burmese or Central Thai control.

Haripunchai (Lamphun)

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:23:16 +0000

Mon immigrants from the Dvaravati kingdom of Lopburi founded the city of Haripunchai in the 7th century, as well as a string of fortified towns around it. Devout Buddhists, the Mons were a key force in the conversion of the Thais in the north and Haripunchai remained and important cultural center for centuries.

Haripunchai (Lumphun)

Lanna Kingdom

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:16:36 +0000

Northern Thailand, which has a history largely independent from the rest of the country, appears to have been populated by different groups of Thais, who assimilated with local inhabitants and settled in the fertile valleys of the north around the first millennium. Present-day Chiang Saen was the seat of the Ngong Yang kingdom, and was one of the main centers. Chiang Saen and Payao, another center, were both in contact with India, through Burma, and traded with the Srivijaya empire. The decline of the latter led to the emergence of a trade route to Chaina and ultimately to the birth of a powerful kingdom in the north.

Siamese Kingdom : Time line

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:05:59 +0000

1245

Jean de Plancarpin travels to Karakorwn.

1253

Guillaume de Rubrouck travels to Karakorum.

1274

Death of Thomas Aquinas.

1276

Arrival of Marco Polo in China

1279 – 1368

Yuan Dynasty.

1338

Beginning of the Hundred Years Was between England and France.

1348

Black Death reaches Europe.

1368 – 1644

Ming Dynasty.

1492

Christopher Columbus discovers the American.

1602

Foundation of Dutch East India Company.

1644 – 1911

Qing Dynasty.

1762 – 1796

Reign of Catherine II of Russia.

1787

American Constitution drafied.

1789

The French Revolution.

1804 – 1814

Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor.

1868 – 1912

Meiji Peiod in Japan

1869

Suez Canal opened.

Chakri Dynasty

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:53:59 +0000

In March 1782 a revolt broke out against King Taksin, who was thought to have become insane. He was replaced by a prominent military commander who, as King Rama I, founded the Chakri Dynasty and, for strategic reasons, moved the seat of government across the Chao Phraya River to a small trading port known as Bangkok. King Rama IV, or King Mongkut, is best known as the hero of The King and I.

King Mongkut

To the Thais, however, he is remembered as on of the most far-sighted Chakri rulers, who negotiated important treaties with European powers, introduced modern sciences, and set his kingdom on the part to reforms that undoubtedly helped save it from the colonial fate that befell all its immediate negighbors. During his reign from 1868 to 1910, King Rama V, or King Chulalongkorn as he is better know, carried his father’s reforms further. He abolished slavery, reorganized the governmental system, and built the first railways.

RAMA V Surrounded by his family, this portrait was painted by the Italian artist Gelli.

The first Thai king to visit European capitals, Rama V also sent most of his sons abroad for futher education Foreced by France to concede some of his territory to Cambodia, Rama V also had to relinquish sovereignty over Laos. Thus he was able to preserve his country’s independence.

Thonburi

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:30:13 +0000

The fall of Ayutthaya

Shortly after King Ekatat assumed the throne in 1758, Ayutthaya was attacked once more by the Burmese under King Alaungpaya. A second invasion led by Alaungpaya’s son, Hsinbyushin, succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya, after a siege lasting more than a year. The city was burned and looted by the victors and more than 30,000 of its inhabitants were taken to Burma. Son of a Chinese father and a Thai mother, the future King Taksin was a military officer at the time of Ayutthaya’s fall. Within seven months he managed to rally Thai forces, expel the Burmese from the ruins of the city, and establish a new capital at Thonburi, further down the Chao Phraya River.

Ayutthaya

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:13:31 +0000

The Rise of Ayutthaya.

Avulthaya was founded on the Chao Phrava River by King Ramathibodi in 1350. Over the next four centuries, it grew from a small, fortified city into one of the great capitals of the region, its power reaching far beyond the fertile river valley. The capital fell to the Burmese in 1569, but less than two decades later regained independence under lhe able leadership of the future King Naresuan, who proceeded to extend its rule over most of the southern peninsula, the north, and both Cambodia and Laos. Relations with Europe began with a treaty between Siam and Ponugal in 1516. The Dutch received permission to build a trading station in 1604, followed by the British in 1612. By King Narai’s reign in 1656, Ayutthaya already had a cosmopolitan populalion of nearly a million.

The first French Catholic missionary arrived in Ayutthaya in 1662, joined by others two years later. Given land on which to build churches and schools by King Narai, they became an important force in relations between the two countries. The first Thai embassy sent to France was lost at sea in 1681, but a second arrived safely in 1684 and formally requested a French mission to Ayutthaya. The first of these missions arrived in 1685, headed by the Chaumont; a second arrived two years later. A Thai embassy accompanied the first on its return to France, and was received at the court of Louis XIV. Following the death of King Narai in 1688, conservative elements assmed control and expelled many Europeans during the latter part of Ayutthaya’s rule.

Ayuthaya

The first Thai embassy sent to France

Sukhothai

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:17:18 +0000

Power Struggle in Sukhothai.

In lhe first half of the 13th century, probably in the 1240’s, a Thai chieflain later known as King lntradit joined forces with several Other groups, overthrew the Khmer overlord at Sukhothai, and established an independent Thai kingdom of the same name. Sukhothai remained small under its first two rulers; it expanded dramatically, however, during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng, exerting either direct or indirect power over much of present-day Thailand through force and strategic alliances. Ramkhamhaeng is also credited with devising the Thai alphabet as well as a paternalistic system of monarchy that is regarded as ideal even to this day. Aside from its political achievements, Sukhothai is also remembered for its superb Buddhist art and architecture, which were distinctively Thai, and which are still considered the finest ever created in the country. Also notable were the beautiful ceramics produced first at Sukhothai and later at the satellite city of Si Satchanalai. Sukhothai’s empire began to fall apart rapidly after Ramkhamhaeng’s death and by 1320 it had once more become a small kingdom of little regional significance. By 1378 it had become a vassal state of Ayutthaya.

King Ramkhamhaeng

Prehistory : Time line

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:04:32 +0000

3000 BC	: First civilizations in Mesopotamia.

2700 – 2300 BC	: Egyptian pyramids of Kheops, Khephren and Mykerinos built.

1765 – 1122 BC	: Shang Dynasty.

566 – 486 BC	: Buddha.

219 BC	: Hannibal crosses the Alps.

The First Millennium : Time line

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:59:29 +0000

27 BC – AD 14	: Foundation of the Roman Empire.

AD 330	: Foundation of Constantinople.

AD 395	: Fall of the Roman Empire.

AD 518 – 907	: Tang Dynasty.

AD 571 – 632	: Mohammed

AD 762	: Foundation of Baghdad.

AD 800 – 14	: Reign of Charlemagne, Holy Roman Emperor.

AD 960 – 1274	: Sung Dynasty.

AD 1066	: The Norman Conquest in England.

AD 1096 – 9	: The First Crusade.

Migration of the Thais

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:50:27 +0000

It is thought that in the II th century AD Thais migrated in large numbers from Yunnan in southern China, driven by a desire for greater independence and better farmland. They formed two groups of kingdoms, in the north near the Mekong River and further south at the edge of the Chao Phraya River valley.

Migration of the Thai

Khmer Empire

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:44:32 +0000

In the 7th century AD rhe rising Khmer Empire began to extend its power over the northeastern region. By the 11th century it had reached the Chao Phraya River valley. The great period of Khmer monument building commenced with the reign of Suriyavarman I (AD 1002-50). The principal religion in the early centuries was Hinduism. which was replaced with Mahayana Buddhism by the late 12th century. Khmer power began to wane in the 13th century.

Dvaravati

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:38:58 +0000

What is traditionally called the Dvaravati Period extends from the 7th to 11th centuries AD; a more accurate name might be Mon, for during this period, several Mon kingdoms rose in central Thailand, first at U Thong near the subsequent Thai capital of Ayutthaya, and later at Lopburi and Nakhon Pathom. All three were centers of Theravada Buddhism, the sect eventually adopted throughout the century. The Mons eventually succumbed to the more powerful Khmers.

Wheel of the law

Srivijaya

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:30:22 +0000

Beginning in the 8th century AD a new, more warlike empire called Srivijaya was established in the southern peninsula, originating from Sumatra. It remained the principal force in the region until the 13th century. Many historians disagree about the exact cemer of the empire, but one of its important centers was Ligor, or Nakhon Si Thammarat. Wholly Hindu at first, Srivijaya later also practiced Mahayana Buddhism and beautiful images were created for both religions.

Votive tablet of the Srivijaya era

The First Millennium

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:25:04 +0000

In the 1st century AD, Indian merchants began arriving in peninsular Thailand in search of new products to trade. They brought with them Indian ideas of art, architecture, religion and government that dominated the south over the next five centuries and later spread to other parts of the country. At first Hindu images were produced, but, from the 5th century onward, Buddhist images appeared in greater numbers, reflecting this new religion, which also came from India.

The Indian Influence

Ban Chiang

thailandhistoryguide — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:24:37 +0000

The discoveries of a prehistoric culture at Ban Chiang, in the northeastern province of Udon Thani, have aroused considerable archeological controversy, with some historians questioning the early dates originally ascribed to the appearance of copper and bronze. Most now accept that the initial dating of 4000 BC is too early but still maintain that the two metals could possibly be elated to between 2500 Be and 2000 BC -later than their first appearance in the Middle East but approximately contemporaneous with copper in Chinaand that Thailand had a true Bronze Age. Painted pottery found in the burial sites at Ban Chiang and elsewhere in the northeast was produced relatively late in the culture’s history, between 1000 BC and 500 BC, The most recent level of the Ban Chiang excavation is dated at around 2S0 Be.

Ban Chiang

Hoabinhian

thailandhistoryguide — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:13:56 +0000

This term was coined by a French archeologist in Vietnam in the 1920’s and covers a period from around 120,000 – 2000 Be. The earliest Hoabinhian tools in Thailand were found in caves in Mae Hong Son and Kanchanaburi. In the former, the American archeologist Chester Gorman found tools and seeds of various cultivated plants including betel nut, black pepper, bottle gourd and cucumber. These have been dated by carbon-14 tests to as far back as 9700-6000 BC, far earlier than previously suspected. More sophisticated tools like the polished adze and the edge-ground knife appeared in the cave around 6800 BC Pottery has also been found at the same level.

Hoabinhian

Tripod

(c. 2000 BC) This pottery tripod was found at Ban Kao, in the Kanchanaburi province. It was probably copied from a tin prototype, and is reminiscent of the Chinese bronzes of the Han Dynasty.

Pleistocene

thailandhistoryguide — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:47:44 +0000

Evidence of Pleistocene cultures, dating from 600,000 – 130,000 BC, have been found in various parts of Thailand, from Lampang in the north to Krabi in the south. The earliest implements found were pebble tools, followed by early flake tools (300,000 – 290,000 BC), then by Proto hoabinhian pebble tools (140,000 – 13,000 BC)

Rock Paintings

Several caves or rock faces are decorated with paintings from simple handprints to complete tableaux showing scenes of hunting, fishing and dancing. These could dae back to the 4th century BC. Some are easily accessible, like those at Khao Chiang Ngam, 124 miles from Bangkok on the road to Khorat.

Rock Paintings

Hill Tribes

thailandhistoryguide — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:06:11 +0000

The majority of the hill tribes in northern Thailand are relatively recent immigrants to the region. Only the Karens and the Lawas were sttled in the country before the arrival of the Thais. The hill tribes form a minority. In 1983, their total population was about 416,000. Apart from the Karens and the Lawas, this group also includes the Miens (Yaos), Lisus, Lahu Shis and the Blue and WHite Hmongs. While aspects of religions such as Christianity, Buddhism and Islam have been adopted by some hill tribes, animism is still in evidence.

Hill Tribes

The Mons

thailandhistoryguide — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:02:23 +0000

These people, who live mostly in Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkram and Samut Prakan, are not ancestors of the ancient Mon culture that once ruled over portions of central Thailand, but relatively recent Buddhist immigrants from Burma.

The Muslims

thailandhistoryguide — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:58:21 +0000

Thailand’s largest religious minority, Muslims are concentrated mainly in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Satun. Most are of Malay descent and speak yawi (ancient Malay) as well as Thai. Ninety-nine percent of the Muslim population are Sunni Muslims, while the remaining one percent are Shi’ite. Those Muslims who are not maysians are probably desendants of Persian, Middle Eastern and Indian traders who had settled in Siam during the Ayutthaya and early Bangkok periods.

Muslims

More than 2 million Muslims, most of whom are Sunni, live in Thailand. There are about 2,000 mosques in the country.

The Shans

thailandhistoryguide — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:58:04 +0000

The Thai Yai (right), called the Ngiaw by the Thais, belong to the Tai linguistic family and migrated from the Shan states of Burma in the 19th century. Today the Shans are scattered throughout the north, especially in Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang.

The Shans

The Khmers

thailandhistoryguide — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:54:34 +0000

Khmer-speaking people are also numerous in some parts of the northeast, particularly in Surin province near the Cambodian border. Most of them migrated during the 19th century when Siam occupied a large part of Cambodia. The recent war in Cambodia has driven millions I of Khmer refugees into Thailand but many of them are being gradually repatriated.

The Khmers

The Laos

thailandhistoryguide — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:50:42 +0000

Much of the northeast is inhabited by groups of Lao-speaking people – Lao Wieng, Yuai, Yo, Lao Kao and Phutai – who migrated (some were forcibly moved) mostly during the last century and are today among the poorest in the country. Like the Thais, they belong to the Sino-Tibetan group. They are renowned for their weaving skills, and some groups were once distinguished by their dress, rather like today’s hill tribes; these elaborate costumes can still be seen during village festivals. Though Buddhist, many still practice older animistic rituals.

Language

Eighteen million people in Thailand speak Lao.

The Chinese

thailandhistoryguide — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:06:29 +0000

As traders, the Chinese arrived long before the Thais. They settled more permanently, at first in coastal cities in the south and thcn in other areas. The peak period of Chinese migration was in the 19th and early 20th centurics, and they now form a substantial part of most urban populations. Thanks to extensive assimilation, it is difficult to distinguish them as a separate ethnic group.

The Chinese

Buddhists

thailandhistoryguide — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:46:32 +0000

Ninety-five percent of its population are Buddhists, making Thailand the largest Theravada Buddhist country in the world.

Life Expectancy

thailandhistoryguide — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:44:44 +0000

The average life span for Thai men is 61.75 years. while for women it is 67.50 years.

Demography

thailandhistoryguide — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:41:04 +0000

Thailand has a total population of 60 million; more than half are below the age of 20.

Demography

The Thais

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:04:03 +0000

At the beginning of the first millennium. a people known as the lai migrated from whal is now southern Chinas into the Chao Phraya River valley. When the Tai first arrived. the region was inhabited by Austro-Asiatic groups speaking Mon and Khmer; the present-day Thais are the product of the assimilation and fusion of these three groups. Many Thais still live in southern China (particularly in Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi). Today four subdivisions of Thais are recognized in the country; the central Thais (from the region between Sukhothai and Phetchaburi), who speak the standard Thai taught in schools; the Pak Isan Thais (a mixture of Thai and Khmer in the northeast), who also speak standard Thai; the Pak Tai Thais (south of Phetchaburi), who have a darker complexion and speak a dialect largely incomprehensible to central Thats; the northern Thais, who speak a different dialect and who are a fusion of Thai immigrants with Karens and Lawas (Austro-Asiatic). Each of these groups had largely independent histories until rccent centuries.

The Thais

People Of Siam

thailandhistoryguide — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:44:00 +0000

Thailand is a mosaic of peoples and cultures, and yet it has never suffered any serious racial conflict. This may be clue to the fae! that the central Thai have ruled more by consensus than by force. The widespread practice of Theravada Buddhism has also promoted racial harmony.

People of Siam

Thailand History Guide » Thailand History

Modern Thailand

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