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It
is believed that the Thais came from Southeast China
some 1000 years ago. In the XIII century the Sujothai
Empire established its cultures on the central plane.
In 1350 the Buddhist Empire of Ayuthaya absorbed
the empire. In XVI and later in mid XVIII the Empire
of Burma conquered the Chiang Mai and destroyed
Ayuthaya. The Thais deported them and moved their
capital to Thonburi. In 1782 the actual dynasty
of the Chakkri monarchy was founded by king Rama
and moved the capital to the other side of the river
to Bangkok. The monarchy still reins in Thailand.
Under the ruling of King Mongkut in 1851 to 1868
and his son Chulangkorn 1868 to 1910, Thailand entered
the modern age. It signed treaties with the west,
it abolished slavery, and it encouraged studying
abroad. In 1932 a peaceful coup established a constitutional
monarchy in which Siam became Thailand. During World
War II the country formed an alliance with Japan,
but later it received economic and military support
from the United States. The wars that neighboring
countries suffered increased the political instability
and increased the activities of militant guerrillas
in its borders and brought many refugees to the
country. In 1979 democratic election brought a long
period of stability and prosperity, especially in
the economy.
In 1991 the government was overthrown by a military
coup led by General Suchinda Kraprayoon. He was
named prime minister in 1992, but was forced to
resign a month later due to the brutal repression
by the military against the masses that demanded
democratic reforms. From 1946 to 1995 King Bhumibol
Adulyadej better known as Rama IX ruled Thailand.
In 1995 Banham Silpaarcha replaced him.
According to the 1932 constitution, the monarchy
is the chief of state but the political power lay
in the hands of the people. The king does have a
big influence because not only is he the chief of
state but he is also the spiritual leader. The government
consists of a dual parliament formed by the senate
and the House of Representatives elected by the
people.
Ex general Chavalit Yongchaiyudh conducted a skeptic
coalition until 1997. The cynics claim that despite
the different government that things never change,
corruption and political negligent will always undermine
the democratic stability of Thailand. The media
is controlled by the government and are property
of the military. There are more than 30 different
newspapers. Education is mandatory between the ages
of 7 to 15 years of age. In 1997 the Thai Baht collapsed
dragging down all the neighboring economies of Southeast
Asia. |
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