Thailand’s History with Figures, Facts, Data and Information. www.KoChangVR.com - Virtual Travel and Island Guide with all Information for Holidays & Travels to Thailand.     Home / Languages   + Bookable Hotels  +   + More Hotels / Bungalows  +   + Ko Chang Information  +   + Beaches & Bays  +   + What to do?  +   + Real Estates & Property  +   + Ko Kood Special  +   + Ko Mak Special  +   + Islands near Ko Chang  +      Mainland around Trat  + Thailand Information  +      Angkor Wat / Cambodia  + Cambodia Tours  +   + Links & Banner     +      Your Advertisement here! Current Page: Thailand Information --> Thailand's History - Figures, Facts, Data & Information 1 Page back Thailand's History - Figures, Facts, Data & Information - Thailand Information - (Street at the mainland in Trat near Ko Chang in Thailand)   About us / Contact    Current Thailand Weather     Sitemap       Currency-Converter    Thailand the "land of free”, as the only country of South East Asia was never annexed by foreign colonial powers! Due to this the Buddhist kingdom could as far as possible keep its own culture – and carries this adequate name deservedly so. History of Thailand After the foundation of today’s Chakri-Dynasty by king Rama I in 1732, a coup d’état took place in 1932 by which the constitutional monarchy was established. 1948 after political riots military assumed the power, which apart from a short democratic phase end of the sixties they kept in hands until the early seventies. Middle of the sixties the relation to the United States of America was strengthened. Main reasons were on one hand the interest in promoting the economic relation and on the other hand to stop the expansion of communism in the Indochina region. Later during the Vietnam War the USA operated various Air Force bases in Thailand. The last coup d’état took place in 1991. The military brought down the elected government and appointed the interims premier minister Khun Panyarachun. When in April 1992 no party could win a majority general Suchinda Kraprayoon announced himself for head of government what resulted in numerous demonstrations which were bloodily knocked down by the military. Khun Suchinda resigned in May when king Bhumipols intervened whereupon in September 1992 free elections took place. Several democratic parties managed to gain a tight majority in parliament. 1995 the Chart-Thai-Party won, Khun Banharn Silapa-archa became new prime minister. Since then the military must not have more then two third of the seats in the representative chamber. End of 1996 a new prime minister Khun Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was elected, he however including his cabinet had to yield the public pressure and resigned after a one year term. Khun Chuan Leekpai, chairman of the Democratic Party and already Thai head of government from 1992 to 1995 thereupon became prime minister again. Since beginning of 2001 Khun Thaksin Shinawatra amongst others founder of the TRT-party (Thai rak Thai – Thais love Thais) became prime minister of Thailand. The history in figures 1732: 1932: 1939: 1940: 1946: 1948: 1950: 1968: 1969: 1971: 1973: 1975: 1976: 1977: 1983: 1991: 1992: 1995: 1996: 1996: 1997: 1999: 2000: 2001: 2004: 2005: Foundation of the Chakri dynasty by king Rama I. Coup d’état and implementation of the constitutional monarchy. Renaming of Siam into Thailand. Alliance with Japan in World War 2. Assassination of king Ananda Mahidol. New king becomes Bhumipol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Political riots and coming into power by the military. Official enthronement of king Bhumipol. New constitution. Readmission of parties and parliamentary elections. Disbandment of the government and the constitution, publication of martial law under General Kittikachorn. Suspension of the military dictator Kittikachorn by king Bhumipol. First free elections and coalition government under Khun Kukrit Pramaoj. Fights between right and left groups. Coup d’état, Khun Chomanan becomes new head of government. Parliamentary election, Khun Choonhavan becomes prime minister. Putsch and appointment of Khun Panyarachun for prime minister. General Suchinda Kraprayoon announces himself for prime minister, re-election after 1 month, Khun Chuan Leekpai becomes prime minister. After elections Khun Silapa-archa becomes new prime minister. 50 years of regency of king Bhumipol, who is the world wide longest reign monarch. Parliamentary election in November, the NAP (New Aspiration Party) wins with a narrow margin in front of the DP (Democratic Party), formation of a new government with Khun Chavalit Yongchaiyudh at the top. Formation of a new government under prime minister Khun Chuan Leekpai. Hostage-taking in the Myanmars embassy by oppositional Burmese. Bloodless relief of the 89 hostages on the next day. The organisation MGC (Mekong-Ganga-Co-operation) for the promotion of regional co-operation is founded by the member states Thailand, Myanmar, India, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Re-elections, prime minister becomes Khun Thaksin Shinawatra who in March only barley escaped an attempted murder. On 26th of December a Tsunami runs over the west coast of Thailand in which 5000 people lose their lives. Elections, prime minister Khun Thaksin Shinawatra is confirmed in office with an overwhelming majority. He is the first prime minister who manages to stay in office for a complete legislative period and in addition is re-elected. Sources: Microsoft Encarta Weltatlas 2001, Data Becker Lexikon 2002.