THAILAND HISTORY KINGDOM.

3600 BC - 250 BC Ban Chiang	Bronze age culture in Ban Chiang, rice agriculture, pottery and one of the worlds first known Bronze Age cultures in North Eastern Thailand.
250 BC	Suvannabhumi trading with India.
650 AD - 1250 AD Nanchao Period Thai Migration Khmer Empire	Thai people founded their kingdom in the Southern part of China which is known as Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great number of people migrated from the South, far as the Chao Phraya Basin and settled down over the Central Plain, under the rule and Kingdom of the Khmer Empire.
1st century AD	The 1st century AD, Indian traders to the Indochina Peninsula had brought the Hindu religion to Thailand.
1000 AD Buddhist kingdom	The Mons whom is Burma today had established themselves in Central Thailand. Buddhist kingdom establishments started in an area from Nakhon Pathom, นครปฐม to Chiang Mai, เชียงใหม่.
6th Century AD	The Spreading of Settlement, thriving agricultural communities and Theravada, (well over 100 million), Buddhist beliefs are established in the South and Central areas.
8th - 10th Century Thai Migration	Migration 'Thai-Kadai' peoples from Northern Vietnam and Southern China migrate into the Mekong River valley.
8th - 12th Century Dvaravati Kingdom	During the Dvaravati Period, Lavo, now known as Lopburi and other non-Khmer Buddhist cultures flourish in Central and Eastern Thailand.
8th - 13th Century Srivijaya Kingdom	The Srivijaya Kingdom controlled much of Southern Thailand with a regional centre at Chaiya in Surat Thani, สุราษฎร์ธานี Province.
9th - 13th Century Khmer Kingdom	The Khmer Empire founded at Angkor. Khmer Empire introduces Khmer influence in art, language and society and leaves tokens of its architectural brilliance in North Eastern Thailand.
1238 AD	Khmer power wanes. Kingdom  of Sukhothai founded.
1281 AD	Chiang Saen Kingdom founded in the North.
1283 AD Thai Alphabet อักษรไทย	The Thai Alphabet, อักษรไทย using as a basis the Mon, Indian and old Khmer scripts. According to tradition it was created by King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, พ่อขุนรามคำแหงมหาราช.
1280 - 1318 AD Sukhothai Kingdom	Several Thai principalities unite to form what is considered to be the first Thai kingdom, The Sukhothai Kingdom. Ramkhamhaeng presides over a thriving 'Golden Age' of Thai culture. The period saw the first attempts to unify the Thai people, the use of the Thai script and flourishing of the arts.
1296 AD Lanna Kingdom	Lana Kingdom founded at Chiang Mai. Mangrai controls much of Northern Thailand and Laos. Sukhothai joins Chiang Mai and Phayao, พะเยา to found the Northern Kingdom of La Na Thai.
1317 - 1347 AD	Lo Thai reigns at Sukhothai. the slow decline of the Sukhothai Kingdom starts.
14th - 17th Century Ayuthaya Kingdom	The 400 year Ayuthaya Kingdom extends its influence to the East, eventually conquering Angkor in the 15th century. Ayuthaya is one of the greatest and wealthiest Asian cities in Thailand.
1350 AD	City of Ayuthaya founded by Phya U Thong who proclaims himself Ramathibodi I. Within a few years he controls the areas encompassed by the Kingdoms of Sukhothai and Khmer Empire.
1369 AD	Ramesuen, son of Ramathibodi I, becomes King.
1390 AD	Ramesuen captures Chang Mai.
1393 AD	Ramesuen captures Angkor in Cambodia.
1448 - 1488 AD	Reign of King Trailok, who finally unites the Lanna, Chang Mai and Ayuthaya Kingdoms.
1491 - 1529 AD	Reign of King Ramathibodi II.
1549 AD	First major warfare with Mon Kingdom of Pegu, now city known as Bago in Burma.
16th Century Europeans	The first European mission in Ayuthaya by the Portuguese and then soon to be followed by the English, French, Danish and Dutch.
1569 AD Burmese Invasion	Ayuthaya's wealth attracts the attention of the Burmese who attack in the mid-16th century, captures and destroys Ayuthaya.
1590 AD	Naresuan becomes King, throws of Burmese suzerainty. Under Naresuan, also known as the Black Prince or Sanpet II, สมเด็จพระนเรศวรมหาราช, Ayuthaya expands rapidly at the expense of Burmese and Khmer Empires and flourishes as a major city.
1605 - 1611 AD	Ekathotsarot becomes King. Ekathotsarot,  also known as the White Prince or Sanpet III, สมเด็จพระเอกาทศรถ. Ekathotsarot begins significant economic ties with European traders and adventurers.
1611 - 1628 AD	Reign of King Songtham, สมเด็จพระเจ้าทรงธรรม, Somdet Phra Chao Songtham. The British arrive and obtain land for a trading factory.
1628 - 1656 AD	Reign of King Prasat Thong, สมเด็จพระเจ้าปราสาททอง. Trading concessions expand and regular trade with China and Europe is established.
1656 - 1688 AD	Reign of King Narai, สมเด็จพระนารายณ์มหาราช. The British influence expands. Reputation of Ayuthaya as a magnificent City and a remarkable royal court spreads in Europe.
1678 AD	Constantine Phaulkon arrives at Narai's court and gains great influence towards French presence expanding.
1688 AD	King Narai dies and Phaulkon is executed.
1733 - 1758 AD	Reign of King Boromakot, Boromarachathirat III, พระเจ้าอยู่หัวบรมโกศ or สมเด็จพระบรมราชาธิราชที่. Ayuthaya enters a period of peace, arts and literature.
1767 AD	Burmese again attack in 1767, reducing the city to a devastated shell. King Alaungpaya, อลองพญา, of Burma captures and destroys four cententuires of Thai civilisation.
1767 - 1782 Thon Buri Kingdom King Taksin	King Phraya Taksin, ตากสินมหาราช, also known as Taksin The Great, มหาราช, Maharaja. As a general from Tak, ตาก the North Western province, rallies the Thai forces and drives out the Burmese appointing himself the King at the new capital of Thonburi, ธนบุรี, near Bangkok, after the previous capital Ayutthaya.
1779 AD	The Emerald Buddha, พระแก้วมรกต, Phra Kaew Morakot, the official name: พระพุทธมหามณีรัตนปฏิมากร, Phra Phuttha Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn, is brought from Vientiane in Laos to Thonburi.
1782 AD	King Phraya Taksin, ตากสินมหาราช, is deposed and executed. The Chao Phya Chakri is offered the throne.
1782 - 1809 King Rama I	Beginning of the Chakri Dynasty under King Rama I, Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great, reigning title, Poramin Mahachakri Boromanat, Phra Buddha Yotfa Chulaloke, พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลกมหาราช, the Dynasty which rules to this present day. The country is known as Siam. The New capital of Bangkok, 'Krung Thep Maha Nakhon' in Thai กรุงเทพมหานคร, was founded. Rama I revives Thai art, religion and culture.
1809 - 1824 King Rama II	King Phuttaloetla Nabhalai, King Rama II, reigning title, Buddha Loetla Nabhalai,  พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธเลิศหล้านภาลัย, was the second King of the Chakri dynasty. King Rama II is best known for construction of Wat Arun, วัดอรุณ, also known as Temple of the Dawn, and many other temples and monasteries. Rama II reopens relations with the west, suspended since the time of King Narai.
1824 - 1851 King Rama III	The last traditional monarch and the third of the Chakri dynasty of Siam. King Jessadabodindra or King Nangklao, Rama III, reigning title, Prabath Somdej Pra Paramadhiwarasetha Maha Jessadabodindra Siammintarawirodom Borommadhammikkarajadhirat Boromanathbopitra Phra Nangklao Chaoyuhua, พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมาธิวรเสรฐ มหาเจษฎาบดินทร์ สยามินทรวิโรดม บรมธรรมิกมหาราชาธิราช บรมนารถบพิตร พระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, was the third King of the Chakri dynasty. Rama III left his trademark as the technique of embedding Chinese porcelain fragments as decorations on temples.
1851 - 1868 King Rama IV	King Mongkut, Rama IV, reigning title, Chaoyuhua, พระบาทสมเด็จพระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, was the fourth King of the Chakri dynasty. The role in introducing and understanding the western culture. Western science and scientific methodology brought to Siam, Mongkut is still honoured to this day in modern Thailand as the country's 'Father of Modern Science and Technology'. Rama IV, before becoming King spends 27 years as a monk and studying western science.
1868 - 1910 King Rama V	King Chulalongkorn the Great, Rama V, reigning title, Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua, พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, was the fifth King of the Chakri dynasty. This King was the employment of western advisers to modernise Siam's administration and commerce. The Railway network was also developed. Reigning for four decades, King Rama V, longest second reign of any Thai King ends the custom of prostration in royal presence, abolishes slavery and replaces labour with direct taxation. Schools, infrastructures, military and the government is modernised.
1910 - 1925 King Rama VI	King Vajiravudh, Rama VI, reigning title, Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua, พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, was the sixth King of the Chakri dynasty. Rama VI studied history and law at the Christ Church, Oxford in England.
1917 WWI	Siam becomes ally of Great Britain in World War I.
1925 - 1935 King Rama VII	King Prajadhipok, Rama VII, reigning title, Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua, พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. King Prajadhipok was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of Siam. King Prajadhipok's reign was the shortest and probably the most controversial in the history of the Chakri Dynasty.
1932	Bloodless coup against absolute monarch King Prajadhipok, Rama VII. Constitutional monarchy introduced with parliamentary government.
1935 - 1946 King Rama VIII	King Ananda Mahidol, อานันทมหิดล, Rama VIII, reigning title, Phrabat Somdet Phra Poramen Maha Ananda Mahidol Phra Atthamaramathibodin, พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร, was the eighth king of the Chakri dynasty.
1939	Siam changes its name to Thailand, 'The Land of the Free'.
1941	Japanese forces land. After negotiations Thailand allows Japanese to advance towards British controlled Malay Peninsula, Singapore and Burma.
1942	Thailand declares war on Britain and US, but Thai ambassador in Washington refuses to deliver declaration to US government.
1945 End of WWII	Thailand compelled to return territory it had seized from Laos, Cambodia and Malaya. Exiled King Ananda returns. End of World War II.
1946	King Ananda Mahidol, อานันทมหิดล, Rama VIII, is assassinated.
1946 King Rama IX	King Bhumibol Adulyadej, ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช, Rama IX, reigning title, Phrabat Somdej Phra Paramindra Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahitaladhibet Ramadhibodi Chakrinarubodindara Sayamindaradhiraj Boromanatbophit , พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช มหิตลาธิเบศรามาธิบดี จักรีนฤบดินทร์ สยามินทราธิราช บรมนาถบพิตร. Having reigned since June 9th 1946, he is the world's longest serving current head of state and the longest serving monarch in Thai history.
1947	Military coup by the wartime, pro-Japanese leader Phibun Songkhram. The military retain power until 1973.
1965 - 1973	Thailand permits US to use bases there during the Vietnam War. Thai troops fight in South Vietnam.
1973	Student riots in Bangkok bring about the fall of the military government. Free elections are held but the resulting governments lack stability.
1976	Military takes over again.
1978	New constitution promulgated.
1980	General Prem Tinsulanonda, เปรม ติณสูลานนท์, assumes power.
1983	General Prem Tinsulanonda, เปรม ติณสูลานนท์, gives up his military position and heads a civilian government. He is re-elected in 1986.
1988	General Chatichai Choonhavan, ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ, replaces Prem after elections.
1991	Military coup, the 17th since 1932. A civilian, Anand Panyarachun, is installed as prime minister.
1992	New elections in March replace Anand with General Suchinda Kraprayoon, สุจินดา คราประยูร. There are demonstrations against him, forcing him to resign. Anand is re-instated temporarily. Elections in September see Chuan Leekpai, ชวน หลีกภัย, leader of the Democratic Party and chosen as prime minister.
1995	Government collapses. Banharn Silpa-archa, บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา, of the Thai Nation party, elected prime minister.
1996	Banharn's government resigns as being accused of corruption. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ, of the New Aspiration party wins elections. King Bhumibol Adulyadej celebrates his golden jubilee of 50 years on the throne, the longest reigning monarch in the world.
1997 Asian Economic Crisis	A big financial turmoil starts when the baht falls sharply against the dollar leading to bankruptcies and unemployment. The IMF steps in. Chuan Leekpai, ชวน หลีกภัย, becomes the prime minister.
1998	Tens of thousands of migrant workers are sent back to their countries of origin. Chuan Leekpai, ชวน หลีกภัย, involves the opposition in his government in order to push through economic reforms.
1999	Economy begins to pick up again. Thai media highlight high cost of drug treatments for Aids and HIV. Thailand begins to pressurise drugs companies to find ways to make the drugs cheaper.
2001	Elections won by Thaksin Shinawatra, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร, of new Thai Rak Thai, ไทยรักไทย, party. Allegations of 'vote buying' force partial re-run of poll. Thaksin forms coalition government. Later in 2001 Thaksin is cleared of assets concealment. A conviction by the Thai Constitutional Court could have meant a five year ban from politics.
2002	Burma closes border with Thailand after Thai army fires shells into Burma during battle between Burmese army and ethnic Shan rebels. Border reopens in October.
2003	Serious diplomatic upset with Cambodia over comments attributed to a Thai actress that Cambodia's 'Angkor Wat' temple complex was stolen from Thailand. Angry crowds attack the Thai embassy in the Cambodian capital. More than 500 Thai nationals are evacuated.
2003	Controversial crackdown on drugs starts as more than 2,000 suspects are killed by late April. The government blames many killings on criminal gangs; rights groups say extra judicial killings were encouraged by the authorities.
2004 - December	Thousands of people are killed when massive waves caused by a powerful undersea earthquake off the Indonesian coast. Devastated communities on the South West coast including the resort of Phuket.
2005 - March	Thaksin Shinawatra, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร, begins a second term as PM after his party wins February's elections by a landslide.
2005 - October	Thailand redoubles efforts to fight bird flu as fresh outbreaks of the disease are reported.
2006 - December Military Coup	Military leaders stage a bloodless coup while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร, is at the UN General Assembly. Retired General Surayud Chulanont, สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์, is appointed as interim prime minister in October.
2006 - December Bomb Blasts	Series of bomb blasts in Bangkok kills three people on 31st December. No one claims responsibility.
2007 - April	First draft of a new constitution is approved by a committee appointed by the military administration.
2007 - May	Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร, Thai Rak Thai, ไทยรักไทย, party is banned. Thousands of soldiers are put on alert.
2007 - August	Voters in a referendum approve a new, military-drafted constitution.

An elephant painted in pink carrying the portrait of The King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej. The performance with the performers prior to the trooping of the colours to honour the King's birthday in Bangkok on Sunday 2nd December 2007. The King celebrates his 80th on 5th December 5th 2007.