A brief background to Thailand as well as some useful hints what to do and what not to do while in the "Land of Smiles" Situated in the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland, the kingdom of Thailand is about the same size as France or the American state of Taxas. Its population of around 60 million is a mixture of Thai, Chinese, Malay, Mon, Lao and various Hill Tribes such as the Meo and Hmong. Thailand is a major exporter of food, especially rice, tapioca, prawns and canned fruit. Most of the people live in small towns and rural communities. Bangkok, the capital has an official population of about six million people (the true figure is believed to be up to ten million, including migrant workers), while Chiang Mai, which is regarded as the country's second city has just over 100,000 people. The country can be divided into six sections: the north, northeast, central plains, Bangkok, southeast and the south. Northern Thailand consists mainly of forest-covered mountains, majestic revers and ancient cities sheltering in the valleys. The northeastern part of the kingdom is more arid and many of its people migrate to the cities in search of work. The region has a rich and diverse culture. The central plains are also known as Thailand's rice bowl. The River Chao Phraya irrigates the fertile plains, ensuring bountiful harvests. Bangkok is the capital city and also Thailand's industrial centre. Southeastern Thailand has numerous popular beach resorts and tropical islands. It is also where much of the country's petrochemical industry is located. Southern Thailand is rich in minerals, and is also one of the biggest rubber producing areas in the world. Jungle-clad hills form the interior, while the coast is fringed with pristine beaches and exotic island. |
Thailand has hosted a dazzling array of cultures and may have been home to the world's first Bronze Age civilisation. Excavations at the northeastern village of Ban Chiang revealed a settlement containing Bronze Age relics 5,600 years old. Since then, Mon, Khmers, Indians, Sri Lankans, Persians and of course Thais have all left their mark on the country.
Modern Thailand evolved from a scattering of city states and principalities in the north, also known as Lanna. From the twelfth to the eighteenth century, Thai's moved their capital cities south. The first independent Thai kingdom was established in 1238 at Sukothai, at the northern end of the central plains. The first Thai alphabet was written there.
As Thai's extended their power to the south, they gradually displaced Khmer settlers. Ruins of Khmer cities and temples can be seen through out the eastern half of the central plains and in parts of the northeast. In 1350, the capital was shifted along the Chao Phraya to Ayutthaya. For over four centuries, Thai culture flourished under a succession of powerful kings. The first contact with Europeans was made during this period. War with Burma proved to be Ayutthaya's downfall as an invading army destroyed the capital in 1767.
First the capital was established at Thonburi, then it was placed on the opposite side of the Chao Phraya to Bangkok by King Rama l. The present king, Bhumiphol, or Rama lX is a member of the same dynasty - the Chakri family - as the founder of Bangkok. The city is also called Krung Thep - the City of Angels - by most Thai's and it's full name is so long it is in the Guiness Book of Records.
The new capital was modelled on Ayutthaya, and used to have an extensive canal network. Although many of these waterways have been filled in to make way for roads, parts of the city still retain the charm which led early European visits to dub Bangkok the "Venice of the East"
Thailand was the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid being colonised. It acted as a buffer between British Malaya and Burmar to the south and west and French Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to the north and east. In 1932, the kingdom of Siam became a constitutional monarchy and changed its name to Thailand.