Thai History*

Thai History*Thai History*

*History = His + story*History = His + storyIf you want to learn about If you want to learn about

“Herstory”, “Herstory”, you have to enroll in you have to enroll in

““Gender, Culture, and Religion”Gender, Culture, and Religion”

Origin of Thais/SiamesOrigin of Thais/Siames• First theory: Thais originated in northwestern First theory: Thais originated in northwestern

Szechuan in China and migrated to Thailand. Szechuan in China and migrated to Thailand. They split into 2 groups: the first group settled They split into 2 groups: the first group settled down in the North or “Lanna”, and the second down in the North or “Lanna”, and the second group went southward and became group went southward and became “Sukhothai”.“Sukhothai”.

• Second theory: According to prehistoric Second theory: According to prehistoric artifacts in Baan Chiang village and artifacts in Baan Chiang village and sophisticated culture, Thais have been here for sophisticated culture, Thais have been here for more than 3,500 years.more than 3,500 years.

• So far, no definite conclusion but for sure, So far, no definite conclusion but for sure, Thais had already settled down in SEA by 13Thais had already settled down in SEA by 13thth century.century.

• Map of SEA in A.D. 1686Map of SEA in A.D. 1686

Khmer InfluenceKhmer Influence• 99thth-11-11thth centuries, central and western centuries, central and western

areas of Thailand was occupied by Mon areas of Thailand was occupied by Mon civilization called Dvaravati.civilization called Dvaravati.

• Mon shared same lineage as the Khmers.Mon shared same lineage as the Khmers.• 1111thth-12-12thth centuries, Mon/Khmer influenced centuries, Mon/Khmer influenced

over central Thailand in terms of over central Thailand in terms of language(Sanskrit), art, and religion.language(Sanskrit), art, and religion.(Khmer temples: Angkor, Phimai, Phanom (Khmer temples: Angkor, Phimai, Phanom Rung)Rung)

• Politically speaking, Khmer culture only Politically speaking, Khmer culture only dominated through vassals and governors.dominated through vassals and governors.

Angkor WatAngkor Wat

Phimai Historical ParkPhimai Historical Park

Layout of Phanom Rung Layout of Phanom Rung TempleTemple

Phanom Rung TemplePhanom Rung Temple

Lanna PeriodLanna Period• Covering Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai, Covering Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai,

Lampang, Lamphun (known as Lampang, Lamphun (known as Haripunchai).Haripunchai).

• Chiang Rai - Phayao was known as Yonok.Chiang Rai - Phayao was known as Yonok.• The first leader of Lanna was King Mengrai The first leader of Lanna was King Mengrai

(B.E.1802/A.D.1259) who seized (B.E.1802/A.D.1259) who seized Haripunchai and built Chiang Mai as a Haripunchai and built Chiang Mai as a capital in B.E.1839/A.D.1296. capital in B.E.1839/A.D.1296.

• He was a good friend of Phya Ngum Muang He was a good friend of Phya Ngum Muang of Phayao and Phra Ruang of Sukhothai. of Phayao and Phra Ruang of Sukhothai.

Lanna KingdomLanna Kingdom

Three Kings MonumentThree Kings Monument

• Lanna flourished more than 200 years Lanna flourished more than 200 years esp. in the mid 15esp. in the mid 15thth century during century during King Tilokoraj period.King Tilokoraj period.

• Chiang Mai was chosen as the center Chiang Mai was chosen as the center of the Eight Council of Tripitaka – the of the Eight Council of Tripitaka – the primary Buddhist text. This was held primary Buddhist text. This was held at Wat Ched Yod (means temple of at Wat Ched Yod (means temple of seven peaks)seven peaks)

• After King Tilokoraj passed away, After King Tilokoraj passed away, Lanna weakened because of wars Lanna weakened because of wars with Sukhothai’s successors.with Sukhothai’s successors.

Wat Ched YodWat Ched Yod

A sculpture of deva A sculpture of deva (deity)(deity)

Doi Suthep TempleDoi Suthep TempleA Chiang Mai’s LandmarkA Chiang Mai’s Landmark

Sukhothai PeriodSukhothai Period• Sukhothai means the “Dawn of Happiness” and Sukhothai means the “Dawn of Happiness” and

was claimed as the first kingdom of Thailand was claimed as the first kingdom of Thailand founded in A.D.1238 by 2 chieftains: Khun founded in A.D.1238 by 2 chieftains: Khun Bang Klang Tao and Khun Pa Muang.Bang Klang Tao and Khun Pa Muang.

• It was considered as the most flourishing It was considered as the most flourishing period of Thailand and called golden age of period of Thailand and called golden age of Thai culture.Thai culture.

• It had strong friendship with China during King It had strong friendship with China during King Ramkhamhaeng period. Traditionally speaking, Ramkhamhaeng period. Traditionally speaking, he organized a writing system and finally he organized a writing system and finally developed to be modern Thai alphabets.developed to be modern Thai alphabets.

King RamkhamhaengKing Ramkhamhaeng

Stone InscriptionStone Inscription

Ancient Thai AlphabetsAncient Thai Alphabets

King Mongkut (Rama IV)King Mongkut (Rama IV)