When did humans first inhabit the area of present-day Thailand?
Archaeological evidence indicates that humans have inhabited the area of present-day Thailand for at least 40,000 years. The earliest evidence of rice growing is dated to 2,000 BCE.
Questions about Thailand
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded the Sukhothai Kingdom and when was it established?
Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao crowned himself the first king of Sukhothai Kingdom in 1238. Mainstream Thai historians count Sukhothai as the first kingdom of Thai people.
Why has Thailand never been colonized by a Western power?
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian state never to have been colonised by a Western power because Britain and France agreed in 1896 to make the Chao Phraya valley a buffer state. This agreement followed the crisis of 1893 caused by French demands for Laotian territory east of Mekong.
What year did the name change from Siam to Thailand occur?
In 1939, Prime Minister Plaek Pibulsonggram changed the country's name from Siam to Thailand. This decision coincided with the rise of fascist ideology in Thailand and policies prioritizing ethnic Thais over minorities like the Thai Chinese.
When does the rainy season occur in Thailand?
The rainy or southwest monsoon season runs from mid-May to mid-October. August and September are the wettest period of the year due to southwestern winds from the Indian Ocean and tropical cyclones.