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→Political and Administrative History
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The Portuguese in 1511 were the first Europeans to gain influence in the area. Dutch, British and French traders and missionaries also had contact until 1688 when an anti-foreign coup d’état was initiated ironically by the French. Foreigners were not allowed to return until after the disruption of the government following the Burmese invasion of 1767. | The Portuguese in 1511 were the first Europeans to gain influence in the area. Dutch, British and French traders and missionaries also had contact until 1688 when an anti-foreign coup d’état was initiated ironically by the French. Foreigners were not allowed to return until after the disruption of the government following the Burmese invasion of 1767. | ||
The new Chakkri Dynasty of Siam was established in 1782. General Chakkri founded the new capitol city of Bangkok, and was the first to gain control of the northern Lao territories. His descendants have ruled Thailand ever since. The first official recognition of western powers came when treaties were signed with the United Kingdom (1826) and the United States (1833). The diplomatic skills and modernizing reforms of Thai leaders enabled Siam to remain the only country in Southern Asia to avoid Western colonization. British influence however, was widespread prior to World War II. The benevolent and progressive Siamese monarchy failed however, to provide desired human rights to its people. A series of coups by the military and other groups succeeded in 1932 in adding a constitution to the monarchy, and established a number of democratic institutions. In 1938 the name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand, which means “Land of the Free.” | The new Chakkri Dynasty of Siam was established in 1782. General Chakkri founded the new capitol city of Bangkok, and was the first to gain control of the northern Lao territories. His descendants have ruled Thailand ever since. The first official recognition of western powers came when treaties were signed with the United Kingdom (1826) and the United States (1833). The diplomatic skills and modernizing reforms of Thai leaders enabled Siam to remain the only country in Southern Asia to avoid Western colonization. British influence however, was widespread prior to World War II. The benevolent and progressive Siamese monarchy failed however, to provide desired human rights to its people. A series of coups by the military and other groups succeeded in 1932 in adding a constitution to the monarchy, and established a number of democratic institutions. In 1938 the name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand, which means “Land of the Free.” | ||
==Local Histories and Gazetteers== | ==Local Histories and Gazetteers== | ||