History

The focus of Thai history and politics now moved to the central plains of present-day Thailand, where Ayutthaya established itself as a centralized state.

The glorious Ayutthaya era lasted for 417 years (1350 to 1767 AD). Founded by King U-Tong or Ramathibodi I, the empire of Ayutthaya quickly established its sovereignty over neighboring states such as Suphannaphum and Lawo, and came to take over the role of religious, cultural and commercial capital of the Thais. Part of Ayutthaya's glory was due to its geographic and strategic location. The city of Ayutthaya was nestled at the confluence of the Pa Sak, Lopburi and Chao Phraya rivers, so it became the ideal center for administration and communication.

Unlike Sukhothai, where the king had fostered a paternal relationship with his people, the Ayutthaya kings became autocrats. King Ramathibodi I consolidated his kingdom through the adoption of an expansionist policy and the appointment of four powerful officers in charge of the royal household, local government, finance and agriculture.

During the 14th and 15th centuries the Thai kings of Ayutthaya became very powerful and began to expand their kingdom eastward until they took Angkor from the Khmers in 1431. By the mid-16th century Ayutthaya and the independent kingdom of Chiang Mai had come under the control of the Burmese, but the Thais had regained control of both areas by the end of the century.

However, Ayutthaya's relations with its neighbors were not always cordial. Wars were fought against Cambodia, Lanna, Lanchang, Pattani and Burma, Ayutthaya's powerful neighbor to the west. Burmese power waxed and waned in cycles according to successive ruler's administrative efficiency in the control of manpower.

Ayutthaya became embroiled in an ongoing conflict with Burma that led to three successive wars in 1538, 1548 and finally in 1569, with the result of Ayutthaya's first defeat at the hands of the Burmese. Fifteen years after the first defeat, Prince Naresuan proclaimed independence from the Burmese once again. Prince Naresuan later became one of the greatest kings of the Ayutthaya era.

The Ayutthaya period also marked the emergence of Thailand's era of international trade. During the 17th century, Ayutthaya came to the height of its power with the greatest economic, social, architectural and cultural achievement. It became one of the biggest and most significant trading ports of the Orient. Traders from Europe, China, Japan, India and the East Indies flocked to Ayutthaya for its bountiful trade prospects. Some western visitors likened Ayutthaya to Italy's Venice, calling it the most beautiful city in the East.

Ayutthaya enjoyed over a century of comparative peace. Then, in the mid-18th century, the kings of the Ala  unghpaya dynasty of Burma again adopted an expansionist policy. During the 1760's, the Burmese armies inflicted severe defeats on the Thais. Finally, in 1767, Ayutthaya succumbed to an all-out attack by the Burmese. They invaded and captured Ayutthaya, looted priceless artifacts, killed or enslaved all but 10,000 inhabitants and razed the city, bringing the glorious age of Ayutthaya to an end. During the 417 years of the empire, Ayutthaya had a total of five dynasties with 33 kings.         Back to top

Thonburi Period

After Ayutthaya's destruction came a period of darkness and despair. The situation seemed hopeless. But out of this national catastrophe emerged another savior of the Thai state: an army general named Phaya Taksin. Within a few years, Phaya Taksin had managed to defeat all the rivals and also the Burmese invaders, and established a new Thai capital at Thonburi in 1769. He proclaimed himself king, thus starting the short-lived Thonburi period.

The Thais quickly regained control of their country and began to further unite the provinces in the north and south of the country. Campaigns for the restoration and preservation of national independence were adopted. The era lasted for just 15 difficult years. No central authority was founded and the kingdom quickly disintegrated as a result.

Chakri Dynasty

His son, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), continued this tradition. He ordered extensive reform of the legal and administrative systems and also revolutionized the communication and transportation systems. King Chulalongkorn's efforts and contributions helped the country avoid colonization and made Thailand the only country in the region to maintain independence from the West. But of all his achievements, abolition of slavery was the greatest. This accomplishment earned him the name 'Piya Maharaj', the 'Beloved Great King'. He became one of the most beloved and revered kings of modern Thai history.

Like his father, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), the successor of King Chulalongkorn, continued to modernize Siam. During his 15-year reign from 1910 to 1925, the king introduced compulsory education and other reforms. He also established the country's first western-style universities: Chulalongkorn University, perhaps most famous of all, was named in honor of his father.

In 1925 the brother of King Vajiravudh, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII 1925-1935) ascended the throne. Seven years later a group of Thai students living in Paris mounted a successful bloodless coup d'etat, which led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy similar to the system in Britain.