The History of Thailand (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)

The book provides a clear portrayal of Thailand's culture and society, and explains its significance in the history of human civilization, its strategic geographic location, and its attraction as a tourist destination. Thailand is a fascinating country with a very rich culture and history. Today, it is home to over 60 million people, and is a newly industrialized nation with an emerging world economy. Thailand is the world's leading exporter of rice, with roughly half of its arable land dedicated to rice fields. As home to one of the earliest iron and bronze cultures, Thailand can be regarded as a "cradle of civilization." This book is divided into 11 chapters that follow an introduction that explains the text's scope, organization and methodology. A chronology of historical events, biographical entries on key figures, a bibliography, a glossary of terms, and selected maps provide an enlightening, complete view of Thailand's culture and world significance. The People Of Thailand Call Their Country Ratchaanachak Thai--kingdom Of Thailand. During Two Periods Of History, Thailand Was Called Siam---in 1855-1939 And 1946-1949. By Any Name, This Nation Has A Truly Unique Culture, Due Largely To Its Status As The Sole Southeast Asian Nation That Successfully Resisted Western Colonization. This Book Is Divided Into 11 Chapters That Follow An Introduction That Explains The Text's Scope, Organization, And Methodology. A Chronology Of Historical Events, Biographical Entries On Key Figures, A Bibliography, A Glossary Of Terms, And Selected Maps Provide An Enlightening, Complete View Of Thailand's Culture And World Significance.--jacket. Timeline Of Historical Events -- Introduction To Thailand -- From Prehistory To Pre-thai Kingdoms -- Emergence Of Thai States : Sukhothai And Lan Na -- The Kingdom Of Ayudhya -- History Of Thailand, 1605-1782 -- The Chakri Dynasty : Rama I To Rama Iv -- King Chulalongkorn (rama V) -- Democratic Transition -- Wars And Coups -- Contemporary History Of Thailand -- Thailand Today -- Notable People In The History Of Thailand. Patit Paban Mishra. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 173-178) And Index. Title Page......Page 2 Copyright Page......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Series Foreword......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Timeline of Historical Events......Page 14 1 Introduction to Thailand......Page 24 2 From Prehistory to Pre-Thai Kingdoms......Page 44 3 The Emergence of Thai States: Sukhothai and Lan Na......Page 58 4 The Kingdom of Ayudhya......Page 68 5 History of Thailand, 1605–1782 ......Page 82 6 The Chakri Dynasty: Rama I to Rama IV......Page 94 7 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V)......Page 106 8 Democratic Transition......Page 118 9 Wars and Coups......Page 130 10 Contemporary History of Thailand......Page 148 11 Thailand Today......Page 160 Notable People in the History of Thailand......Page 176 Glossary of Selected Terms......Page 192 Bibliography......Page 196 Index......Page 202 About the Author ......Page 206