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Thailand History Second Part
After more than 400 years of power, in 1767, a Burmese offensive succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya. Thais were regrouped under the leadership of a young general named Phya Taksin who managed to expel the Burmese. General Taksin established Thonburi as the new capital, on the west bank Chao Phraya River and declared himself king in 1769.
In 1782, Taksin supposedly became mad, was deposed and killed. General Chakri himself crowned king Rama I the Great, first king of the Chakri Dynasty, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His first action as king was to transfer the royal capital across the river from Thon Buri to the more defendable Bangkok, starting the Rattanakosin era in the Thai history. Rama II (1809-1824) continued the restoration begun by his ancestor. King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) re-opened affairs with Western countries and developed business with China.
King Mongkut, Rama IV, (1851-1868) concluded treaties with the British in 1855, with the United States and France in 1856, avoided colonization and established modern Thailand. King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition of reorganization, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and governmental system. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over as a colony, the country’s contemporary name, Prathet Thai or Thailand is a reflect of this, Prathet means “Nation” and Thai means “Free”.
King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925) established obligatory education and other educational reforms. In 1932, a bloodless revolution of Westernized intellectuals mounted a successful coup d'état marking the end of the absolute monarchy and the beginning of a new constitutional monarchy. During the reign of King Prajadhipok (1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The king resigned in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew.
Since then, Thailand experienced multiple changes of government, almost permanent coups d'états before the establishment of a democratic system.
» Thailand History - First Part
» Thailand History - Second Part
» Thailand History - Third Part
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