Thailand History

THE AYUTHAYA ERA (1350-1767) The kingdom of Ayutthaya was founded by U Thong, an adventurer allegedly descended from a rich Chinese merchant family who married…

THE THAILAND POLITICS FROM 1963 TO 1971 In December 1963 Sarit died in office. His deputy, Thanom, peacefully succeeded to the prime ministership and pursued…

  THE THAI KINGSHIP    The Thai rulers were absolute monarchs whose office was partly religious in nature. They derived their authority from the ideal…

  THE COUP D’ETAT IN NOVEMBER 1971    In November 1971, Prime Minister Thanom executed a coup against his own government, thereby ending the three-year…

THE FINAL PHASE OF AYUTTHAYA KINGDOM  After a bloody period of dynastic struggle, Ayutthaya entered into what has been called its golden age, a relatively…

THE END OF THANOM REGIME In December 1972, Thanom announced a new interim constitution that provided for a totally appointed legislative assembly, two- thirds of…

THE BANGKOK PERIOD (1767 – 1932) As they had in the sixteenth century, the Thai made a rapid recovery under a brilliant military leader. Taksin…

THE MILITARY RULE AND A LIMITED DEMOCRACY    With the support of the king and the military membership of NARC, a new government was formed…

THE CHAKKRI DYNASTY  With the death of Taksin, the Thai throne fell to Chakkri, a general who had played a leading role with Taksin in…

THE POWER IN PREM ‘S PERIOD    Although a military figure, Thailand’s new prime minister sought to give civilians a greater role in government and…

THE MONGKUT ‘S OPENING TO THE WEST  Nang Klao died in 1851 and was succeeded by his forty-seven- year-old half brother, Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851-68).…

THE COUP D’ETAT IN SEPTEMBER 2006 Thailand was a constitutional monarchy until the sudden coup on September 19, 2006. The King was well respected and…