Thailand Year in History | Thailand Timeline |
-600 |
Chinese T’ai migration recorded Chinese T’ai migration recorded. |
-300 |
Indian settlements bringing the Hindu religion. Indian settlements bringing the Hindu religion. |
1000 |
The Mons The Mons, from Burma, had established themselves in Central Thailand. |
1350 |
Monarchy established A unified Thai kingdom is established under the rule of King Ramathibodi. A series of kings follow, ruling what was then known as Siam. |
1516 |
Portuguese envoy Portuguese send an envoy to Thai Court and sign a treaty. |
1529 |
War with Burma War with Burma. |
1782 |
Chakri dynasty Beginning of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I. |
1782 |
New capital New capital of Bangkok founded. |
1833 |
First American envoy to the Thai Court The United States and Siam (now Thailand) concluded a commercial treaty in Bangkok. |
1833 |
Thai-Vietnam war Thai-Vietnam war. |
1896 |
British-French treaty guarantees independence A British-French treaty guarantees independence for the new country. |
1905 |
Slavery was abolished Slavery was abolished. |
1917 |
Siam becomes ally of Great Britain in World War I. Siam becomes ally of Great Britain in World War I. |
1939 |
Siam Siam changes its name to Thailand (“Land of the Free”). |
1941 |
Japan invades Thailand Japan invades Thailand in World War II, forcing Thailand to fight with Japan in the war. |
1942 |
Ambassador declares war on Britain and US. Thailand declares war on Britain and US, but Thai ambassador in Washington refuses to deliver declaration to US government. |
1944 |
Thailand takes back a declaration of war Thailand takes back a declaration of war against the United States and Britain. After the war, it becomes an ally of the U.S. |
1945 |
End of World War II. End of World War II. Thailand compelled to return territory it had seized from Laos, Cambodia and Malaya. Exiled King Ananda returns. |
1946 |
55th member of the United Nations. Thailand becomes the 55th member of the United Nations. |
1946 |
King Ananda King Ananda assassinated. |
1962 |
US sent troops to Thailand. Thailand permits US to use bases there during the Vietnam War. Thai troops fight in South Vietnam. |
1973 |
Free elections are held Student riots in Bangkok bring about the fall of the military government. Free elections are held but the resulting governments lack stability. |
1976 |
Military takes over again. Military takes over again. |
1978 |
New constitution promulgated. New constitution promulgated. |
2004 |
Tsunami strikes. A devastating tsunami strikes. Giant waves hit the western coast and islands of Thailand and 10 other nations, killing hundreds of thousands of people. |
2006 |
Thaksin Shinawatra Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra accuses several army officers of plotting to kill him after police find a car containing bomb-making materials near his house. |
2007 |
Martial law Martial law is lifted in more than half of the country. |
2008 |
Cambodian soldiers Thai troops shoot two Cambodian soldiers in a firefight on the disputed border, near the Preah Vihear temple. |
2010 |
Mass protest Tens of thousands of Thaksin supporters - in trademark red shirts - paralyze central Bangkok with month-long protest calling for Prime Minister Abhisit's resignation. |
2011 |
Pheu Thai party The pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai party wins a landslide victory in elections. |
2013 |
Rice prices Government cuts guaranteed price for rice, provoking an angry reaction from farmers and protests in Bangkok. |