According to available historical records the earliest settlements in what is now Thailand seems to have been during the Paleolithic Period 20,000 years ago. Thereafter there is evidence of farming having taken place around 4,000 BCE, bronze tools having been used around 3000 BCE and iron implements from around 500 BCE.
The very first settlers had lived in communities in small states called Meuang and in the 9th century BC they were absorbed by the Hindu kingdoms of the Mon and Khmer people who occupied parts of modern day Thailand. The Khmers thereafter became the dominant force with a vast regional empire. Their culture, social, political and religious practices influenced the developing Thai states. The earliest recorded evidence of a people with a name resembling that of the present day Thai people are the Tai who between the 7th and 10th centuries AD are said to have migrated south from Nanchoa in China.
The very first mention of a Thai kingdom is in 1238 when Sri Intraditya broke away from the Khmer empire and established a state in Sukhothai in the Chao Phraya valley. The people of this newly established state took the name Thai (meaning free) to distinguish themselves for the Tai who were still under Khmer domination. The Sukhothai period lasted from the mid 13th to the mid 15th century and seems to have flourished with the Sukhothai leaders subjugating parts of Burma, Laos and the Malay Peninsula. Diplomatic relations were established with China’s Yuan Dynasty who was acknowledged as overlords. Towards the end of the 13th century the decline of the Sukhothai state started with the death of its ablest ruler Rama the Great at which time it came under the influence of the rising Kingdom of Ayutthaya and by 1438 was part of it. Concurrently the Thai Kingdom of La Na with Chang Mai as its capital flourished as a separate city state.
One of the best periods of Thai history commenced with the establishment of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya which lasted from 1350 to 1767. Named after the Indian city of Ayodhaya, the kingdom was a centre of Theravada Buddhism. It became the most powerful kingdom in the region and even subjugated the Khmer. However rather than a cohesive state it was a collection of self governing states with an absolute monarch at its head. In the early 16th century the kingdom made its first contact with the Portuguese who at the time were extending their influence in the region. They also made contact with the Dutch, the Japanese and the English and even sent diplomatic missions to the court of Louis XIV in Paris and The Hague. With the arrival of French missionaries and English warships in the 17th century fearing a threat to Buddhism, the kingdom embarked on an isolationist policy that lasted 150 years. The kingdom’s high point was after 1690, a relatively peaceful time when it flourished. However Burma who was a growing power in the region invaded Ayutthaya and devastated it in 1767.
With the fall of Ayutthaya a new kingdom Thon Buri emerged and lasted from 1767 to 1782. The state of La Na was annexed during this period. This period gave way to the Early Chakri Period from 1782 to 1868 when Bangkok was established as the centre of administration. Western powers impatience to have access to the country prompted the signing of several trade treaties with the US, England, France and other European nations. This revolutionized the Thai economy and caused the enactment of legal and administrative reforms. Thailand was known as Siam at the time.
From 1868 to 1932 under King Chulalongkorn much happened to bring the country into the 20th century. In addition to reforms to the judiciary, the finance and political structure and the establishment of a standing army several infrastructure works opened up the country. When WWI intruded the country sided with the allies.
Constitutional rule was established in 1932. The first Parliamentary elections took place in 1933 and the country’s name was changed to Muang Thai or land of the free. Nationalism was encouraged. During WWII the Japanese occupied Thailand from 1941 to 1944.
The return to democratic form of government was short lived and from 1947 to 1973 the country saw the longest period of military rule. Multi party democracy was re- established from 1992 to 2006 when the military took over the country for a brief period thereafter. Currently the country enjoys a democratically elected government.
Think of the ideal tropical holiday enhanced by warm sunshine, a calm blue bay, secluded wide white beaches fringed by swaying palms Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort and Spa fulfills all these fantasies and more. Enjoy the location right on the beach and the host of excellent guest services at one of prominent Koh Phangan resorts the most outstanding being it’s contemporary and luxurious suites and villas with private plunge pools that ensure privacy a luxury many other Koh Phangan hotels may not provide. Get away from it all and experience an idyllic holiday at this ‘one of a kind’ resort.
