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The earliest civilisation in Thailand is believed to have been that of the Mons in central Thailand, who brought a Buddhist culture from the Indian subcontinent. In the 12th century, this met a Khmer culture moving from the east, the Sumatran-based Srivijaya culture moving north, and citizens of the Thai state of Nan Chao, in what is now southern China, migrating south. Thai princes created the first Siamese capital in Sukhothai and later centres in Chiang Mai and, notably, Ayuthaya.
The Burmese invaded Siam in both the 16th and 18th centuries, capturing Chiang Mai and destroying Ayuthaya. The Thais expelled the Burmese and moved their capital to Thonburi. In 1782, the current Chakri dynasty was founded by King Rama I and the capital was moved across the river to Bangkok.
In the 19th century, Siam remained independent by deftly playing off one European power against another.
The 20th century brought great change to Thailand. In 1932, a peaceful coup converted the country into a constitutional monarchy and in 1939 Siam became Thailand. During WWII, the Thai government sided with the Japanese. After the war, Thailand was dominated by the military and experienced more than twenty coups and countercoups interspersed with short-lived experiments with democracy. Democratic elections in 1979 were followed by a long period of stability and prosperity as power shifted from the military to the business elite.
In February 1991 a military coup ousted the Chatichai government, but bloody demonstrations in May 1992 led to the reinstatement of a civilian government with Chuan Leekpai at the helm. This coalition government collapsed in May 1995 over a land-reform scandal but replacement prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa was no better. Dubbed a 'walking ATM' by the Thai press, he was forced to relinquish the prime ministership just over a year later after a spate of corruption scandals. Ex-general and former deputy PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh headed a dubious coalition until late 1997, when veteran pragmatist Chuan Leekpai retook the reins.
In 1997 the Thai baht pretty much collapsed, dragging the economy (and many other southeast Asian economies) down in a screaming heap. The unfinished skyscrapers around Bangkok are a legacy of this downturn. In August 1997 the International Monetary Fund stepped in with a bailout package of austerity measures which - although it slowed Thailand's growth dramatically and hit the poor hardest - seemed to have turned things around by early 1998. By the turn of the new century, Thailand's economy had stopped going into free fall, but rebuilding had only just begun. Genuine attempts to weed out corruption seem underway, but the poverty-stricken of Thailand are still wary of promises and agitating for more reforms.
The relatively new Thai Rak Thai Party (Thais Love Thais), led by Thaksin Shinawatra, emerged as a force in Thai politics and saw many sitting MPs defect to its ranks. In parliamentary elections held in January 2001, Thai Rak Thai trounced Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's democrats.
Throughout his time in office Thaksin was able to broadly deliver on his promises and his popularity remained high amongst rural voters, his true power base. Among human-rights groups he was less adored. He was dogged by rumours of corruption dating back to his time as deputy prime minister in 1997. He also drew criticism for restricting the media, a claim made easier to justify by the fact he controlled Thailand's only independent TV station. He also instigated a heavy handed 'war on drugs' that left thousands dead. Even more damning was his failure to end the mounting sectarian violence in the country's southern provinces.
In December 2004 the west-facing Andaman coast was hit by a tsunami, killing more than 5000 people. Worst affected were small family-run businesses and fishermen, whose buildings and boats were lost to the waters. Aside from areas such as Ao Lo Dalam on Phi Phi island and the Khao Lak/Takua Pa areas in Phang-Nga province, the majority of tourist-reliant areas reopened within weeks or even days of the event.
Amid claims of corruption involving his family and giant Thai telecom Shin Corp that sparked huge public demonstrations, Thaksin called a snap election on April 2, 2006. Although Thai Rak Thai won over 50% of the vote the legitimacy of the victory was questioned as the major opposition parties boycotted the poll. Following an audience with the king, Thaksin chose to form an interim government with his deputy Chidchai Vanasatidya taking the role of prime minister. In early May the courts overturned the April election result and called for a new vote in October. Thaksin then further angered his opponents by resuming control of the government. The situation came to a head on September 19. As Thaksin was in New York attending a meeting of the UN General Assembly, General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the army commander-in-chief carried out a bloodless coup, scrapped the constitution and appointed retired General Surayud Chulanont as interim prime minister. The coup was condemned internationally but many Thais saw it as bringing to an end the rule of a corrupt leader and his government. This latter stance was given greater weight by the king's indirect support and approval for the coup, which again confirmed his key role in Thai politics. Elections are promised in December 2007 but with escalating violence in the south and increasing controls on the media many in Thailand wonder just what the future holds for their brittle democracy.
