| Thailand, formerly called "Siam",
is a country rich in culture and natural beauty. It has been
blessed with expansive natural parks, fertile plains, remote
jungles, beaches washed by turquoise waters, and tropical islands
bathed in endless sunshine. The country has more visible historical
evidence of its past cultures than any other country in Southeast
Asia. Its history is very complex, involving the invasion of
many different peoples, the rule of different kings, the establishment
of various kingdoms and the interaction of diverse cultures.
The period of time from the mid 1800's until now is probably
the most important in terms of the formation of modern day Thailand.
King Mongkut, who ruled the country from 1851 to 1868, was a
well educated, ex-monk who kept Thailand safe from European
expansion. His son, Chulalongkorn, took over in 1868 and continued
the enlightenment and modernization of Thailand. King Chulalongkorn
made great strides in improving the country, however he refused
to allow his people democratic rights. This finally led to a
takeover by Thai intellectuals, along with military help, in
1932. The name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand
in 1939 by Prime Minister Phibun Songkhram, mainly because he
wanted to disassociate his country from its erratic past. Translated
literally, Thailand means "Free Land".
The Thai race was previously believed to have originated
somewhere near Mongolia, later moving southward. However,
new theories based on historical discoveries regard the northeastern
part of Thailand as the birthplace of the Thai race. Over
the years, the country has become home to many immigrants.
The Thai people have managed to preserve the traditions of
their unique culture, at the same time absorbing the practices
of modern living. Nevertheless, the combination of cultures
and backgrounds of these immigrants make Thailand an interesting
and memorable country to visit.
Name of country: Thailand
Former name: Siam
Capital city: Bangkok
Area: 517000 sq. km
Population: 62.2 million approx
People: Thai, Chinese, Malay.
Language: Thai
Religion: Majority Buddhism, a few Muslims.
Government: Constitutional monarchy
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ABOUT THAILAND
