Although other civilizations had existed on
Thai soil much earlier,Sukhothai was the first sovereign kingdom of Thailand.
It flourished for over 100 years during which time the distinctive forms of Thai
art, architecture and culture were firmly implanted.
At
approximately the same time, King Mengrai, an ally of Sukhothai, was establishing
the northern Lannathai Kingdom, centered on Chiang Mai which was founded in 1296.
In the mid 14th century a new and more powerful
dynasty arose at Ayutthaya, an island city in the Chao Phraya River 85 kilometers
north of present day Bangkok.
Quickly
gaining in wealth, military might and prestige, Ayutthaya absorbed the former
kingdom of Sukhothai and remained Thailand's capital for 417 years,holding sway
over most of the country except the North.
On the death of Taksin in 1782 Chao Phraya Chakri
was proclaimed king and as Rama I was founder of the present Chakri dynasty. For
strategic purposes he moved his capital across the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok.
Under the Chakri Kings the borders of Thailand were consolidated and other parts
of the country were gradually brought under the full control of the central government.
Rama VI (King Mongkut, 18511868), secured ties with the West, especially with
France and Britain, while at the same time, assuring his country's independence
and avoiding the colonial fate of all Thailand's neighbours. King Mongkut's successor,
Rama V (King Chulalongkorn, 1868-1910), brought about many social and political
reforms that firmly guided Thailand into the 20th century. The absolute monarchy
was to continue through the reign of Rama IV (1910-1925) and into that of Rama
VII (1925-1934). But in 1932 a coup d'etat succeeded in bringing about a change
to a constitutional monarchy. Rama VII accepted the situation although he abdicated
two year after the coup. The throne passed to the young King Ananda Mahidol (Rama
VIII) who was succeeded by his brother King Bhumipol (Rama IX), the present monarch.