The phrase "country of Siam" for a person unfamiliar with the history of Southeast Asia seems to be something fabulous and never really existed. Meanwhile, at one time it was a powerful state that kept its neighbors at bay, and today it is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Russian tourists.
Early history
Artifacts found during archaeological excavations prove that these areas were inhabited by tillers who used bronze tools for at least 3,500 years ago. By the beginning of our era, several principalities had already formed there. Their inhabitants were speakers of the Mon-Khmer languages. Some of them adopted Buddhism in the 6th century, and the inhabitants of Cambodia professed Hinduism.
In the 9th century, the Thais penetrated the territory of Siam from North Vietnam, who eventually settled large areas in East Asia.
In the Middle Ages
In the 13th century, the Thais were able to unite and create an independent state of Sukhothai. It flourished during the reign of the kingRamkhamhaeng, who in a short time turned his country into one of the most powerful powers of the then Southeast Asia. In particular, he expanded the borders of Sukhothai and, towards the end of his reign, ordered a list of his achievements to be carved in stone. After the death of Ramkhamhaeng, the state lasted for about a century.
Kingdom of Ayutthaya
In the 14th century, Sukhothai was absorbed by its 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 that time. It was the Thais living in its composition who first began to use the word "Siamese" for their designation.
Country of Siam
In 1569, Ayutthaya was occupied by Burmese troops. However, his people were able to unite and expel the enemy. At the same time, Ayutthaya merged with the state of Chiang Mai. The result was the Kingdom of Siam.
For four centuries, many architectural monuments, as well as other works of material and non-material culture, were created there.
Formation of the ruling Chakri dynasty
In 1767, Siam (which country is described in the article) was again invaded by Burmese troops. The struggle for the liberation of the country was led by General Tak Sin, who managed to expel the invaders and put his closest ally Pya Chakri on the throne. It was the latter who became the founder of the dynasty, which to this day rules the Kingdom of Thailand.
Relations with Europeans
Embassadors of the King of Spain arrived in Ayutthaya at the end of the 16th century. However, before them, European merchants repeatedly sailed there. The rulers of Siam understood the benefits of building relationships with overseas guests. That is why in 1608 they sent ambassadors to the Netherlands to conclude treaties of peace and trade. Soon Siam (now which country, is described below) became known in the Old World as a promising place for establishing commercial relations, and an English trading post and a Dutch trade mission appeared there.
The wise foreign policy of the Thai kings caused their country to avoid colonization and become a kind of free zone between the overseas possessions of large European states.
In the 19th century
In order not to lose its independence in the future, the country of 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 of subjects of Her Majesty Queen Victoria were to be de alt with by British judges. A little later, a similar agreement was signed 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. Under him, a number of radical reforms were carried out. Chief among them were the abolition of slavery, the creation of a European-style judicial system, and the beginningconstruction of railways. So it was under Rama the Fourth that the course was laid to overcome the medieval ignorance in which Siam had previously been.
History of the country under King Chulalunkorn (Rama Five)
This monarch, who inherited his throne after the father of Rama the Fourth, continued the course of reforms that his father had begun. Under him, the country of Siam began to be controlled by the State Council, 12 ministries appeared, paper money came into circulation and public schools were opened. However, his attempts to show greater independence in foreign policy were unsuccessful and almost led to a confrontation with France. Nevertheless, in 1898, the European powers confirmed on paper their intention not to encroach on the sovereignty of Siam.
Chulalunkorn tried in every possible way to strengthen ties with the monarchs and governments of the states of the Old World. He often traveled abroad. There he was treated not as a god, as was customary in his homeland, and he gladly answered questions about what Siam is like (what country is it, what kind of people live there, etc.).
History of the state in the first half of the 20th century
Despite all the efforts of King Chulalunkorn, his camp lost many of its territories under him. In 1910, after his death, the son of the monarch, Rama Six, ascended the throne. He was an ardent Anglophile and prided himself on being a general in the army of the British Empire. Under him, the country entered the First World War on the side of the Entente. Although an expeditionary force was sent to Europe, it never took part in the battles.
King Rama Six died at the age of 44. His son at that time was a few months old, so the king's brother was on the throne.
Revolution
The reign of Rama the Seventh, who happened to be on the throne, 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 in a country residence in Hua Hin, and seized power in Bangkok. They held 40 representatives of the royal family as hostages, 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 was now to rule, according to the constitution written by the representatives of this organization.
Rename
In 1939, an event occurred that today can be heard asking: “Which 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. Mueng Tai and Prathet Tai were proposed as options for a new name. Subsequently, however, the phrase "Kingdom of Thailand" was recognized as more euphonious.
Modernity
Today Thailand is a state whose form of governmentis a constitutional monarchy. The country is currently 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 of the details of its history, so you will listen with great interest to the stories of the guides during your trip to Thailand.
