Lesson 4/44 min
Thailand
Basics
- “Thai” means free, so Thailand means “Land of the Free”.
- The only country in the region that was never a European colony. Japan occupied it in the Second World War.
- Old name: Siam; a Buddhist country; known as the “Land of the White Elephant”.
- Capital: Bangkok; currency: baht; 76 provinces (besides Bangkok).
- The legislature is the National Assembly, with two houses: the House of Representatives (lower) and the Senate (upper).
- Voting is compulsory by law in Thailand.
Stages of history
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1782 | The Chakri dynasty begins its rule (Rama I) |
| 1932 | A coup ends absolute monarchy; a constitutional monarchy begins |
| June 1939 | Siam is renamed Thailand |
| 1946–2016 | Reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (70 years) |
| 2006 | Thaksin Shinawatra is ousted in a military coup |
| 2011 | Pheu Thai wins; Yingluck Shinawatra becomes the first woman prime minister |
| 1 December 2016 | King Maha Vajiralongkorn formally accedes to the throne |
| August 2025 | The Constitutional Court removes Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra |
| 8 February and 19 March 2026 | The Bhumjaithai party wins the election; Anutin Charnvirakul is re-elected prime minister (per news reports) |
Notable people
| Name | Known for |
|---|---|
| Thaksin Shinawatra | The first elected prime minister to complete a full term; ousted in the 2006 coup |
| Yingluck Shinawatra | First woman prime minister; Thaksin's younger sister; Pheu Thai, won in 2011 |
| King Bhumibol (Rama IX) | 1946–2016, 70 years; Thailand's longest reign |
| King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) | The present king |
Watch out: Many books say 23 June 1939, some sources say 24 June. The year is 1939. The name went back to Siam in 1945 and has been Thailand permanently since 11 May 1949.
Watch out: Zubair's book calls Bhumibol the “present king”; he died in 2016. The present king is Vajiralongkorn. One book gives his reign as 75 years; the correct figure is 70 years.
Check yourself
Who was Thailand's first woman prime minister?
At a glance
- 1
Thailand is the only South-East Asian country never colonised (20th BCS).
- 2
Its old name was Siam; it became Thailand in June 1939.
- 3
The Chakri dynasty has ruled since 1782; absolute monarchy ended in 1932.
- 4
Bhumibol reigned for 70 years (1946–2016); the present king is Maha Vajiralongkorn.
- 5
Yingluck Shinawatra was the first woman prime minister (2011); Thaksin was ousted in 2006.
- 6
The National Assembly has a House of Representatives and a Senate; there are 76 provinces.