Page 74 - Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam

The Thai people originated in what is now Yunan, China. After Mongols invaded the state of
Nanchao, the Thai migrated down the Mekong River into what is now known as Thailand.
They separated into several distinct groups, including the Siamese, the Lao and the Shan, but
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formed in the 13th century.

A distinct Thai culture developed as the kingdom expanded. A dominant aspect of this culture
was the importance of Buddhism in daily life. Every village had a Buddhist wat, or temple
complex, where festivals and social events took place. These temples also served as schools,
orphanages, and hospitals—the monks who lived there were often skilled at local medicine.

The Chakri Dynasty

The Burmese invaded Ayudthaya in 1767, driving the Thai into the center of the country. A
large portion of the population settled in the fertile valley of the central plain, giving rise to a
new capital in Bangkok. Shielded by heavily forested mountains to the north, and secure from
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Bangkok became known as Siam, a reference to the Siamese people of the central plains, where
Bangkok is located.

Around 1800, Siam’s great Chakri dynasty rose to power and created the groundwork for
the modern nation-state of Thailand. The Chakri instituted a central bureaucracy, asserted
authority over numerous tribes that had previously been ruled by local chieftains, and initiated
a program of military conquest throughout the region. Over the next century, the Siamese
Empire grew to include parts of modern-day Burma, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Perhaps
even more importantly, the Chakri kings managed to keep Siam free from western colonial
domination.

The Birth of a Nation

By the turn of the century, modernization had increased the number and types of jobs
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based largely on education. Many Thai began sending their children overseas to be educated.
When the children returned home, they brought with them western views on the scope and
purpose of government. This new generation of educated Thai saw the Siamese political
system as antiquated and began demanding a larger share of power.

In 1932, the situation came to a head. The monarchy was overthrown in a bloodless revolution
and the country’s name was changed to Muang Thai, “Land of the Free.” However, most
peasants and farmers continued to view the king as the moral leader of the nation, and the
king was eventually invited to return as a constitutional monarch. He lacks political power,
but serves as the head of state—a unifying symbol of Thai culture.

During World War II, Thailand was allied with Japan. Despite protest from the British and
French, the United States never recognized Thailand’s declaration of war. The decision paid
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