Thailand, also known as Siam, is a Southeast Asian country located on the Indochinese Peninsula. It shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, and maritime borders with Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Its capital and largest city is Bangkok. The country has a population of approximately 66 million and spans 513,115 square kilometers.
In 1905, there were unsuccessful rebellions in the ancient Patani area, Ubon Ratchathani, and Phrae in opposition to an attempt to blunt the power of local lords.
Thailand's first census in 1909 found the population to be 8.2 million.
In 1910, Vajiravudh began his reign and promoted the idea of the Thai nation.
In 1910, the reign of Chulalongkorn (Rama V) ended, during which the Siamese system of government was centralised and transformed into a modern unitary absolute monarchy.
In 1912, the Palace Revolt was a failed attempt by Western-educated military officers to overthrow the Siamese monarchy.
In 1925, the reign of Vajiravudh ended.
On June 24, 1932, Khana Ratsadon (People's Party) carried out a bloodless revolution in Thailand, marking the beginning of constitutional monarchy.
In 1932, Siam became a constitutional monarchy following a bloodless revolution and changed its official name to Thailand.
In 1932, a bloodless revolution forced Prajadhipok to grant the country's first constitution, ending centuries of feudal and absolute monarchy.
In 1973, Bhumibol installed Sanya Dharmasakti to replace Thanom Kittikachorn, marking the first time that the king had intervened in Thai politics directly since 1932.
Since 1932, Thailand has had 20 constitutions and charters, marking the shift from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.
In 1933, a counter-revolutionary rebellion took place to reinstate absolute monarchy but failed, leading to Prajadhipok's abdication.
In 1938, Plaek Phibunsongkhram became premier and started political oppression, taking an openly anti-royalist stance.
On June 24, 1939, Siam's name was changed to Thailand.
Before 1939, Thailand was known by outsiders as Siam.
In 1939, the official name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand.
On December 8, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched an invasion of Thailand, leading to fighting and eventually a military alliance.
In 1941, Thailand was in a brief conflict with Vichy France, resulting in Thailand gaining some Lao and Cambodian territories.
In 1945, after the war ended, Thailand signed formal agreements to end the state of war with the Allies.
In June 1946, King Ananda was found dead under mysterious circumstances, and Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended to the throne.
Between 1946 and the 1980s, military and bureaucratic aristocrats fully controlled political parties in Thailand.
In 1954, Thailand joined the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) to become an active ally of the United States.
In December 1956, the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium first opened at Rama IV Road near Lumphini Park.
In 1957, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat launched a coup, removing Khana Ratsadon from politics.
In 1959, Sarit Thanarat began his autocratic rule as premier.
In 1960, Thailand's population growth was at 3.1%.
Between 1962 and 1983, the agricultural sector grew by 4.1% per year on average.
In 1963, Thanom Kittikachorn began his premiership.
In 1963, the premiership of Sarit Thanarat ended.
In 1966, the Thailand national basketball team had its most successful year at the Asian Games, winning the silver medal.
In 1970, the average Thai household size was 5.7 people.
In October 1971, there was a large demonstration against the dictatorship of Thanom Kittikachorn, leading to civilian casualties.
In 1972, the Thailand national football team reached the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup.
In 1973, Bhumibol installed Sanya Dharmasakti to replace Thanom Kittikachorn, marking the first time that the king had intervened in Thai politics directly since 1932.
In 1975, the premiership of Sanya Dharmasakti ended.
In October 1976, the Thammasat University massacre occurred, followed by a coup d'état that brought Thailand a new ultra-right government.
In 1988 Thailand had its first elected prime minister since 1976.
In 1977, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), of which Thailand was a member, was disbanded.
In 1978, a more moderate government offered amnesty to communist fighters.
In 1980, 70% of Thailand's labour force was employed in agriculture, which decreased to 49% over time.
In 1980, Prem Tinsulanonda became the Prime Minister, serving until 1988.
In 1981, one of two coup attempts against Prem Tinsulanonda failed.
Between 1983 and 2007, the agricultural sector grew by 2.2% per year on average.
By 1983, the communists abandoned the insurgency.
In 1985, another coup attempt against Prem Tinsulanonda failed.
In 1988, Thailand had its first elected prime minister since 1976.
It is estimated that between 1988 and 1995, the number of factory workers in the country doubled from two to four million.
In 1989, the Thai government banned the use of elephants for logging, leading many elephant owners to move their domesticated animals to the tourism industry.
About 29.4% of Thailand's population lived in urban areas as of the 1990 census.
In 1991, Suchinda Kraprayoon led a coup.
In 1991, Thailand's administrative services were divided into three levels by the National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534.
Between 1992 and 2006, Thailand had a two-party system.
In 1992, popular demonstrations in Bangkok ended with a bloody military crackdown after Suchinda was nominated as prime minister.
Between 1993 and 1995, ten per cent of the Thai labour force moved from the agricultural sector to urban and industrial jobs.
In September 1994, the Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region was endorsed by the cabinet.
Between 1993 and 1995, ten per cent of the Thai labour force moved from the agricultural sector to urban and industrial jobs.
In 1995, Sukavich Rangsitpollaid, as minister of education, announced his plans for educational reform in Thailand.
In 1995, the Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region was implemented after endorsement by the cabinet in September 1994.
Around 1997, over 3.288 million people in the Northeast alone could not be categorised.
In 1997, the Asian financial crisis originated in Thailand, ending the country's 40 years of uninterrupted economic growth.
In 1997, the Mahidol University Ethnolinguistic Maps of Thailand data was completed.
In 1998, Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok was built for the Asian Games.
Thailand's recovery from the 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis depended mainly on exports.
In 1999, the number of international degree students in Thailand was 1,882.
About 31.1% of Thailand's population lived in urban areas as of the 2000 census.
The earliest evidence of rice growing in present-day Thailand is dated at 2,000 BCE.
From 2001, the Thai Rak Thai party, led by prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, governed.
In 2002, Bumrungrad became the first hospital in Asia to meet the Joint Commission International standard.
In 2003, Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior was released, featuring Thai martial arts.
One estimate published in 2003 placed the trade at US$4.3 billion per year or about 3% of the Thai economy.
Until September 2004, Thailand joined the US-led invasion of Iraq, sending a humanitarian contingent.
From 2004, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced criticism over his response to a South Thailand insurgency which escalated.
In 2004, the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami hit Thailand, claiming around 5,400 lives, mostly in the south.
In 2004, the Thai horror movie Shutter was released and became well-known worldwide.
In 2005, Thailand became the first country in the world to host an international 80 welterweight rugby tournament.
In 2005, Thailand's annual defence budget was US$1.98 billion.
In 2005, Tom-Yum-Goong, starring Tony Jaa, was released.
Bank of Thailand reported that during 2006–16, Thailand's top 5% largest companies had 85% of all corporate revenue in the nation.
Between 1992 and 2006, Thailand had a two-party system.
In 2006, a coup d'état occurred amidst political conflict between supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Until 2006, the Thai Rak Thai party, led by prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, governed.
Between 1983 and 2007, the agricultural sector grew by 2.2% per year on average.
In 2007, a civilian government led by the Thaksin-allied People's Power Party (PPP) was elected in Thailand following a period of political instability.
In 2008, the estimated number of non-national residents was around 2 million.
In April 2009, the Cambodian-Thai border dispute brought troops on territory immediately adjacent to the 900-year-old ruins of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Hindu temple.
As of 2009, the total number of non-national residents in Thailand had risen to approximately 3.5 million.
From 1932 to 2009, uniformed or ex-military men have led Thailand for 55 of the 83 years.
In 2009, the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protested in Thailand.
In 2009, total national expenditures on health in Thailand amounted to 4.3 per cent of GDP.
About 44.2% of Thailand's population lived in urban areas as of 2010.
As of 2010, Thai people made up 95.9% of Thailand's population.
In 2010, a UDD protest ended with a violent military crackdown in Thailand, resulting in more than 70 civilian deaths.
In 2010–2012, more than 90% of medical tourists travelled to Thailand for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS).
According to the Royal Thai Government's 2011 Country Report, 62 ethnic communities are officially recognised in Thailand.
Between 2011 and 2016, Thailand's journal publications increased by 20%.
In 2011, the Chang Thailand Slammers won the ASEAN Basketball League Championship.
In 2011, the Pheu Thai Party won a majority in the general election, and Yingluck Shinawatra became prime minister of Thailand.
In 2011, the entertainment industries directly contributed $2.1 billion in GDP to the Thai economy.
The 2011 Thailand Country Report provides population numbers for mountain peoples and ethnic communities in the Northeast.
A 2012 study found that 64% of informal workers in Thailand had not completed education beyond primary school.
As of 2012, Thailand had 103 airports with 63 paved runways, in addition to 6 heliports.
As of 2012, Thailand was the second largest consumer of pick-up trucks in the world, after the US.
As of 2012, the Thai automotive industry was the largest in Southeast Asia and the 9th largest in the world, producing nearly 1.5 million vehicles annually.
By 2012, the number of international degree students in Thailand increased to 20,309 students.
In 2010–2012, more than 90% of medical tourists travelled to Thailand for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS).
In 2012, it was estimated that informal workers comprised 62.6% of the Thai workforce.
Thailand's economy experienced its fastest expansion since 2012 in 2017.
During the 2013–2014 Thai political crisis, a survey found that anti-government PDRC mostly (32%) had a monthly income of more than ฿50,000, while pro-government UDD mostly (27%) had between ฿10,000 and ฿20,000.
In 2013, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology announced that 27,231 schools would receive classroom-level access to high-speed internet.
Thailand was the most visited country in Southeast Asia in 2013, according to the World Tourism Organisation.
In February 2014, the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium hosted its final Muay Thai boxing matches at its original location.
After the 2014 coup, Thailand leaned more towards China, leading to concerns about economic dependence.
After the coup d'état in 2014, Thailand had the highest number of lèse-majesté prisoners in the nation's history.
Between 2014 and 2019, the military junta self-titled as the National Council for Peace and Order ruled the country.
During the 2013–2014 Thai political crisis, a survey found that anti-government PDRC mostly (32%) had a monthly income of more than ฿50,000, while pro-government UDD mostly (27%) had between ฿10,000 and ฿20,000.
In 2014, 75% of Thailand's electrical generation was powered by natural gas.
In 2014, Credit Suisse reported that Thailand was the world's third most unequal country, with the top 10% richest holding 79% of the country's assets.
In 2014, Thailand experienced a coup d'état, leading to political instability and subsequent pro-democracy protests.
In 2014, Thailand's unemployment rate was reported to be 0.84% according to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).
In 2014, pick-ups accounted for 42% of all new vehicle sales in Thailand.
In September 2015, Thailand ranked 16th worldwide in the Military Strength Index based on the Credit Suisse report.
In 2015, Thailand's youth literacy rate reached 98.1%.
In October 2016, Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) became the King of Thailand.
Between 2011 and 2016, Thailand's journal publications increased by 20%.
In 2016, 5.81 million people in Thailand lived in poverty. There were an estimated 30,000 homeless persons in the country.
In 2016, Bhumibol, the longest-reigning Thai king, died, and his son Vajiralongkorn ascended to the throne.
In 2016, Thailand had a biocapacity of 1.2 global hectares per person but used 2.5 global hectares, resulting in a deficit.
In 2016, Thailand ranked 91 out of 180 countries in the global Environmental Performance Index (EPI).
In 2016, Thailand's annual defence budget almost tripled to US$5.88 billion, accounting for approximately 1.4% of GDP.
In 2016, the Thai economy grew 3.3% before an inflation-adjusted expansion to 3.9% in 2017.
In 2016, the median wealth per adult in Thailand was $1,469, and the country was ranked 87th in the Human Development Index (HDI).
As of 2017, Thailand had over 462,133 roads and 37 million registered vehicles.
In 2017, 14 million people in Thailand applied for social welfare, requiring a yearly income of less than ฿100,000.
In 2017, Thailand's median household income was ฿26,946 per month, with the top quintile holding 45.0% of all income.
In 2017, the Thai economy experienced growth of 3.9% when adjusted for inflation, which was an increase from 3.3% in 2016 and marked the fastest expansion since 2012.
In 2017, the Thai heist thriller film Bad Genius was released and became internationally successful.
Thailand had a 2017 GDP of US$1.236 trillion (on a purchasing power parity basis).
Thailand's latest and current constitution was created in 2017.
In December 2018, Thailand legalised the use of cannabis for medical reasons, becoming the first Southeast Asian country to do so.
According to the 2018 National Statistical Office data, 93.46% of Thailand's population identified as Buddhists.
As of 2018, there were over 80,647 registered taxis nationwide.
In 2018, Muslims were the second largest religious group in Thailand, comprising 5.37% of the population.
In 2018, the Thai government developed an Alternative Energy Development Plan 2018–2037 (AEDP 2018).
Thailand ranks as the world's fifth largest medical tourism destination in spending and attracted over 2.5 million visitors in 2018.
According to the National Research Council of Thailand, the country devoted 1.1% of its GDP to the research and development of science in 2019.
In 2019, Thailand had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 6.00/10, ranking it 88th globally out of 172 countries.
In 2019, Thailand ranked sixth in the world on the Global Health Security Index.
In 2019, Thailand received 39.8 million international tourists and earned 60.5 billion US dollars from international tourism.
In 2019, a general election was held in Thailand, and Prayut Chan-o-cha continued his premiership amid allegations of election fraud.
In 2019, a nominally democratic government was established after the Thai general election.
In 2019, the National Council for Peace and Order, a military junta, ended its rule in Thailand.
In March 2020, Amnesty International reported that Thai military conscripts face institutionalised abuse systematically hushed up by military authorities.
As of 2020, Thailand was ranked 89th out of 100 countries globally for English proficiency.
In 2020, large pro-democracy protests began, including unprecedented demands to reform the monarchy.
In 2020, the Future Forward Party was dissolved.
In 2021, the large pro-democracy protests that started in 2020 continued.
In 2022, Thailand's export of goods was worth roughly US$290 billion while its import worth roughly US$305 billion.
In 2022, Thailand's oil and gas production dropped by 19% and 17%, respectively.
In 2022, the average Thai household size was 3 people.
In May 2023, Thailand's reformist opposition, including the Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai Party, won the general election.
On August 22, 2023, Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai party became Thailand's new prime minister.
As of 2023, Thailand had an estimated population of 71.7 million.
In 2023, Thailand held parliamentary elections.
In the first quarter of 2023, Thai household debts totaled 14.6 trillion baht, which was 89.2% of GDP.
On August 7, 2024, Thailand's Constitutional Court banned the Move Forward Party and its leaders from politics for proposing reforms to the lèse-majesté law.
On August 14, 2024, Srettha Thavisin was dismissed from his prime ministerial role by the Constitutional Court for "gross ethics violations".
As of 2024, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) had 4,507 km of track, all of it meter gauge.
As of 2024, Thailand is facing challenges such as low productivity, poor education, high household debt, low private investment, and slow economic growth.
In 2024, Thailand ranked 41st in the Global Innovation Index.
In 2024, Thailand's status improved from "not free" to "partly free" on the Freedom in the World report due to competitive parliamentary elections.
The Alternative Energy Development Plan 2018–2037 (AEDP 2018) defines goals for the increase of renewable energy to almost 30,000 MW by 2037.
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