Country Siam: history and present

The phrase "the country of Siam" for a person unfamiliar with the history of Southeast Asia seems to be something fabulous and never really existed. And meanwhile in due time it was a powerful state that kept neighbors in awe, and today is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Russian tourists.

Early history

Artifacts found during archeological excavations prove that these lands were inhabited by farmers who used bronze tools, at least 3,500 years ago. By the beginning of our era, several princedoms had already formed there. Their inhabitants were native speakers of the Mon-Khmer languages. Some of them adopted Buddhism in the 6th century, while the inhabitants of Cambodia professed Hinduism.

In the 9th century, Thais entered the territory of Siam from North Vietnam, who eventually settled significant territories in East Asia.

In the Middle Ages

In the 13th century, the Thais were able to unite and create an independent state of Sukhothai. His heyday came in the era of King Ramkamheng, who in a short time turned his country into one of the most powerful powers of the then Southeast Asia. In particular, he widened the borders of Sukhothai and, by the end of his reign, ordered to carve a list of his achievements on the stone. After the death of Ramkamheng, the state lasted about a century.

Kingdom of Ayutthaya

In the 14th century, Sukhothai was absorbed by his southern neighbor. The state of Ayutthaya was founded by Rama the First, who declared himself a god. Its capital was such a large city that it could well compete with many European capitals of the time. It is the Thais, who live in its composition, first began to use the word "Siamese" for their designation.

Country Siam

In 1569, Ayutthaya was occupied by Burmese troops. However, his people were able to unite and drive out the enemy. At the same time, Ayutthaya merged with the state of Chiang Mai. As a result, the kingdom of Siam appeared.

For four centuries, many monuments of architecture were created there, as well as other works of material and non-material culture.

Formation of the ruling Chakri dynasty

In 1767, troops of Burma again invaded Siam (this is what country, it is told in the article). The struggle for the liberation of the country was led by General Tak Sin, who managed to expel the invaders and put on the throne of his closest associate Pya Chakri. It was the latter who became the founder of the dynasty, which to this day rules the Kingdom of Thailand.

Relations with Europeans

The ambassadors of the King of Spain arrived in Ayutthaya in the late 16th century. However, European merchants arrived there repeatedly. The rulers of Siam understood the benefits of establishing relations with overseas guests. That is why in 1608 they sent ambassadors to the Netherlands for the conclusion of treaties on peace and trade. Soon Siam (now what country, it is told further) became known in the Old World as a promising place for establishing commercial relations, and there appeared the British trading post and the Dutch trade office.

The wise foreign policy of the Thai kings caused their country to avoid colonization and became a kind of free zone between the overseas possessions of the major European states.

In the 19th century

In order to continue not to lose its independence, the country Siam in 1828 signed an agreement with the British Empire. According to this document, the British were allowed to conduct duty-free trade in local ports, and all crimes committed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria's subjects were to be dealt with by British judges. A little later, a similar treaty was concluded with the United States.

In 1851, Rama the Fourth ascended the throne. He received an excellent education, including studying the achievements of Western science, and did much to modernize Siam. He carried out a number of radical reforms. The main ones were the abolition of slavery, the creation of a European-style judicial system and the beginning of the construction of railways. So it was at Rama Fourth that the course was laid for overcoming the medieval ignorance, in which Siam previously lived.

The history of the country under King Chulalunkorn (Rama Fifth)

This monarch, who inherited his throne after the father of Rama IV, continued to pursue the reforms that his father began. With him, the country of Siam began to be ruled by the State Council, 12 ministries appeared, paper money went into circulation and public schools opened. However, his attempts to show greater independence in foreign policy were not crowned with success and almost led to confrontation with France. Nevertheless, in 1898 the European powers confirmed on paper their intention not to encroach on the sovereignty of Siam.

Chulalunkorn sought to strengthen ties with the monarchs and governments of the Old World. He often traveled abroad. There he was treated not as a god, as was customary in his homeland, and he was pleased to answer questions about what Siam is (what country, what people live there, etc.).

The history of the state in the first half of the 20th century

Despite all the efforts of King Chulalunkorn, with him his camp lost many of its territories. In 1910, after his death, the son of monarch Rama the Six ascended the throne. He was an ardent anglophile and was proud of the title of Army General of the British Empire. With him, the country entered the First World War on the side of the Entente. Although the expeditionary corps was sent to Europe, he never took part in the battles.

King Rama the Sixth died at the age of 44 years. His son at that time was a few months old, so on the throne was the brother of the king.

Revolution

The reign of Rama Seventh, who happened to be on the throne by chance, was not marked by anything special. Moreover, he did not notice that anti-monarchist sentiments were forming in the country, which led to a bloodless revolution that broke out in 1932.

The initiator of the coup was the secret organization "People's Party". Its members, mostly Thais, educated in Europe, took advantage of the fact that the king was at a suburban residence in Hua Hin, and seized power in Bangkok. They hostage were 40 representatives of the royal family, as well as several ministers and generals. The king had no choice but to accept the conditions of the People's Party, according to which he had to rule from now on, according to the constitution written by the representatives of this organization.

Rename

In 1939 an event took place that made it possible today to hear the question: "What country was called Siam?" In an effort to create a new state, the revolutionaries demanded the renaming of the kingdom. Their main argument was that the word "Siam" was alien to the Thais. As variants of the new name were proposed "Mueng Tai" and "Pratet Tai". Later, however, the word "Kingdom of Thailand" was more harmonious.

Modernity

Today, Thailand is a state whose form of government is a constitutional monarchy. At the moment, the country is experiencing rapid economic growth. Important articles of the economy are agriculture and tourism. The country provides itself with natural gas, which is considered the main source of electricity. In addition, Thailand is one of the world's largest exporters of seafood and rubber.

Now you know which country used to be called Siam. In addition, you know some details of its history, so you will listen with great interest to the stories of guides during a trip to Thailand.