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By Root 4111 0

and riskiest move to force the resignation of Samak’s replacement, Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin’s brother-in-law. The occupation led to a week-long closure of both major airports, causing enormous damage to the Thai economy, especially its tourism and export industries. Throughout the crisis, the military claimed to remain ‘neutral’, but when an Army Commander in Chief, General Anuphong Phaochinda, called publicly for new elections and a PAD withdrawal, many in the government called it a silent coup.

In the midst of this crisis, Prime Minister Somchai was forced to quit his office by a Constitutional Court ruling which dissolved the PPP because of vote buying, and barred its leaders from politics for five years. After weeks of manoeuvring by the Democrat Party to persuade several minor parties to switch sides, Democrat Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected in a parliamentary vote, becoming Thailand’s 27th prime minister. Even as the pro-Thaksin camp remained hostile and active, Abhisit faced the daunting task of re-establishing ‘national harmony’ and restoring confidence in the Thai economy in the face of the global economic recession.

TIMELINE

4000–2500 BC Prehistoric inhabitants of northeastern Thailand develop pottery, rice cultivation and bronze metallurgy.

6th–11th centuries City-states of Dvaravati thrive in central Thailand, basing their civilisation upon Mon culture and Theravada Buddhism.

10th century Arrival of Tai peoples in Thailand.

1283 Early Thai script invented by King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai.

1292 Chiang Mai becomes the capital of Lanna.

1351 Legendary founding of the Kingdom of Ayuthaya.

1518 Ayuthaya concludes its first treaty with a Western nation, a cordial trade agreement with Portugal.

1569 Ayuthaya is defeated by Burma.

1688 King Narai’s death is followed by the Palace Revolution, the dramatic fall of the Greek Constantine Phaulkon and the expulsion of the French.

1767 The disastrous fall of Ayuthaya at the hands of the Burmese.

1768–82 King Taksin rules from the new capital of Thonburi.

1782 Death of King Taksin; founding of the Chakri dynasty; Bangkok becomes the new capital.

1805 Codification of the Three Seals Law.

1851–68 Reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV); waning Chinese influence; increasing Western influence.

1855 Bowring Treaty concluded between Siam and Britain, stimulating the Siamese market economy and granting extraterritorial rights to British subjects in Siam.

1868–1910 Reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V); modernisation; European imperialism.

1874 Edict abolishing slavery.

1890 Siam’s first railway, connecting Bangkok with Nakhon Ratchasima.

1892 New administration: a cabinet government with 12 ministries, part of which became or were predecessors of the Ministries of Defence, Interior Affairs, Justice and Education.

1893 French blockade of the Chao Phraya River (the ‘Paknam incident’) intensifies the threat of colonialism.

1909 Anglo-Siamese Treaty settles Siam’s boundaries.

1913 The Nationality Act and Surname Act enacted by King Vajiravudh’s government.

1916 The first Thai university, Chulalongkorn University, established.

1917 Siam sends troops to join the Allies in WWI.

1932 Bloodless revolution by young military and civilian officers ends the absolute monarchy.

1939 The country’s English name is officially changed from Siam to Thailand.

1941 Japanese forces enter Thailand.

1942 Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) re-established.

1945 WWII ends; Thailand is compelled to return territory seized from Laos, Cambodia and Malaya.

1946 Accession of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX); Thailand joins the UN.

1957 The successful coup by Sarit Thanarat starts a period of long military rule that lasts until 1973.

1959 The first tourist authority formed.

1965 Thailand hosts US military bases during the Vietnam War.

1968 Thailand is a founding member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

1973 Thai students, workers and farmers join together to overthrow the military dictatorship; a democratic government is installed.

1976 Violent suppression of