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Thailand

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Thailand is a country located in mainland Southeast Asia.

Thailand (orthographic projection)
Thailand (orthographic projection)

It shares land borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. To the south and east, the land meets the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The country covers an area of about 513,115 square kilometers. Nearly 66 million people live in this region today. Bangkok is the capital city and the largest city in the country.

Bangkok (251385359)
Bangkok (251385359)

The nation is a major regional power and a founding member of ASEAN.

History in this area began a very long time ago.

Koh Tarutao, Thailand, Ancient Cambrian deposits
Koh Tarutao, Thailand, Ancient Cambrian deposits

Evidence shows humans lived here for at least 40,000 years. People began growing rice around 2,000 BCE.

Rice farmers Mae Wang Chiang Mai Province
Rice farmers Mae Wang Chiang Mai Province

In the northeast, the site of Ban Chiang was a center for making copper and bronze. Around 500 BCE, people began using iron. For thousands of years, this area was part of a trading network called the Maritime Jade Road. This network helped different groups connect through trade.

Many different groups helped shape the culture of the land. The Tai people are believed to have moved from the Điện Biên Phủ region. They began moving into this territory between the 8th and 10th centuries.

Tai Migration
Tai Migration

Before them, groups like the Mon and Khmer lived in the area. The Mon established places like Dvaravati and Hariphunchai. The Khmer Empire was also very powerful in the region. Over time, these groups mixed together to create the Thai culture we see today.

Many great kingdoms rose and fell in the past. The Sukhothai Kingdom is seen as the start of Thai history. Later, the Ayutthaya Kingdom became a strong power after 1350 CE.

Kingdom & People of Siam (Vol 1, 1857, 15)
Kingdom & People of Siam (Vol 1, 1857, 15)

European envoys from Portugal first arrived in Ayutthaya in 1511 CE. After the Ayutthaya Kingdom fell in 1767, King Taksin reunified the land. Later, King Rama I started the Chakri dynasty. He moved the capital to Bangkok in 1782.

KingTaksin's coronation
KingTaksin's coronation

Thailand has a very interesting modern story. It was once known as Siam.

Location Thailand ASEAN
Location Thailand ASEAN

During the era of Western imperialism, Siam was the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid being colonized. The country changed its name to Thailand in 1939. Today, it is a newly industrialised country. Its economy relies on manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.

Train Night Market Ratchada (34079339800)
Train Night Market Ratchada (34079339800)

It is the second-largest economy in its region.

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🖼️ Images & Media (41)
Thai National Anthem - US Navy Band.ogg
Thai Royal Anthem - US Navy Band.ogg
File:Thailand (orthographic projection).svg
Thailand (orthographic projection).svg
File:Location Thailand ASEAN.svg
Location Thailand ASEAN.svg
File:Kingdom & People of Siam (Vol 1, 1857, 15).svg
Kingdom & People of Siam (Vol 1, 1857, 15).svg
File:Tai Migration.svg
Tai Migration.svg
File:Location Lanna (under King Tilok).png
Location Lanna (under King Tilok).png
File:Mon political entities.png
Mon political entities.png
File:DvaravatiMapThailand.png
DvaravatiMapThailand.png
File:ปราสาทปรางค์สามยอด2.jpg
ปราสาทปรางค์สามยอด2.jpg
File:KingTaksin's coronation.jpg
KingTaksin's coronation.jpg
File:Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram.jpg
Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram.jpg

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