Population & Settlement
Archaeological artifacts discovered in Ban Chiang proves that civilization of present day Thailand (Siam) dating back thousands of years. The first settlers were the Mons, Khmer, and the Chinese. The Mons were the earliest settlers who came into Southeast Asia from Central China about two millennia ago. They settled along various rivers in Burma and Thailand, building cities and rapidly developing a civilized culture. Over a few centuries, other people entered Thailand and formed villages, causing local kingdoms to emerge and fight for supremacy. The earliest empires included the Davaravati of Central Thailand and the Srivijaya, whose empires extended from Sumatra up the Malay peninsula to southern Thailand.
In 1220, ethnic Thailand lords invaded, fighting off the governing Khmer empire, establishing the Sukhothai Kingdom and its rival, the Ayuthaya Kingdom. Over time, Ayuthaya became more powerful and entered it’s golden age, where it dominated most of Southern and Central Thailand, driving the Khmers out of the region completely. The Ayuthaya Kingdom held reign from about 1351-1767. The Burmese army was a huge threat to the people of Thailand. In 1556 they captured Chiang Mai, and in 1569 they captured Ayuthaya. Both were recaptured by the Thais, but the rivalry stayed. In 1767, the Burmese attacked Ayuthaya again, practically erasing the city. They controlled central Thailand for a few years until they were defeated by the Siamese leader, General Taksin. Taksin was soon replaced by Rama I, the founder of the Chakra dynasty, whose descendants continue to rule Thailand today. Rama I reconstructed a capital around what is now Bangkok.
There are many factors that brought people to the area of Thailand, including the climate. The climate in Thailand is ruled by tropical monsoons causing a rainy season from June-October, and a dry season the rest of the year. The average annual temperatures are a high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and a low of 66 degrees Fahrenheit -- the mountains and the northern region of Thailand tend to be much cooler. The southern region contains the Gulf of Thailand and many stunning beaches and tropical islands. As people started to move into this region, they began to develop technologies such as watercraft to navigate the rivers and woven fishnets to catch fish. People also domesticated plants and animals, including rice, cucumbers, chickens, and cattle. Central Thailand consists of the fertile plains where small settlements grew and began to develop into the first kingdoms.
In 1220, ethnic Thailand lords invaded, fighting off the governing Khmer empire, establishing the Sukhothai Kingdom and its rival, the Ayuthaya Kingdom. Over time, Ayuthaya became more powerful and entered it’s golden age, where it dominated most of Southern and Central Thailand, driving the Khmers out of the region completely. The Ayuthaya Kingdom held reign from about 1351-1767. The Burmese army was a huge threat to the people of Thailand. In 1556 they captured Chiang Mai, and in 1569 they captured Ayuthaya. Both were recaptured by the Thais, but the rivalry stayed. In 1767, the Burmese attacked Ayuthaya again, practically erasing the city. They controlled central Thailand for a few years until they were defeated by the Siamese leader, General Taksin. Taksin was soon replaced by Rama I, the founder of the Chakra dynasty, whose descendants continue to rule Thailand today. Rama I reconstructed a capital around what is now Bangkok.
There are many factors that brought people to the area of Thailand, including the climate. The climate in Thailand is ruled by tropical monsoons causing a rainy season from June-October, and a dry season the rest of the year. The average annual temperatures are a high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and a low of 66 degrees Fahrenheit -- the mountains and the northern region of Thailand tend to be much cooler. The southern region contains the Gulf of Thailand and many stunning beaches and tropical islands. As people started to move into this region, they began to develop technologies such as watercraft to navigate the rivers and woven fishnets to catch fish. People also domesticated plants and animals, including rice, cucumbers, chickens, and cattle. Central Thailand consists of the fertile plains where small settlements grew and began to develop into the first kingdoms.