{"id":1781,"date":"2013-12-10T18:33:01","date_gmt":"2013-12-10T18:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.populationfun.com\/?p=1781"},"modified":"2018-12-19T16:47:27","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T16:47:27","slug":"thailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.populationfun.com\/thailand\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Flag<\/a>

Flag of Thailand<\/p><\/div>\n

Thailand, previously named Siam from 1945-1949, is located in Southeast Asia. Situated in the middle of the Indochina peninsula, Thailand is the 20th<\/sup> most populous country with a total 2014 population of around 67,200,000 residents (based upon a 2013 estimate considering latest census data and the population growth rate of a little over 0.5%). Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was not colonized by the Europeans. Consequently, it played the role of a buffer state between the areas in Southeast Asia that had been colonized by the British Empire or the French. Its Head of State, King Rama IX, is the longest-reigning head of state and monarch in Thai history. Thailand\u2019s main ethnic group is Thai, with a total of 96% of the population. This includes the native people of Thailand, and Thai\/Chinese people.<\/p>\n

History of Thailand<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Temple<\/a>

Temple in Thailand<\/p><\/div>\n

Widely considered the first Thai state, Sukhothai was founded in 1238. Although this Buddhist kingdom was growing somewhat rapidly during the 13th<\/sup>-15th<\/sup> centuries, it was later overpowered by the kingdom of Ayutthaya, founded in the 14th<\/sup> century. In 1431, Ayutthaya invaded Angkor and forced the Khmer to abandon the city. Ayutthaya eventually became the one of the biggest trading centers in Asia, and frequently traded goods with its neighbor states. In 1767, the Burmese people<\/strong><\/a> caused the fall of the Ayutthaya kingdom. The absolute monarchy of Thailand was ended in 1932, when King Prajadhipok was forced to grant his citizens their first constitution.<\/p>\n

[wp_ad_camp_1]<\/p>\n

During World War II, after a battle with the Thai army that lasted around eight hours, Japanese troops were granted passage across Thailand to Malayan lands. On the 21st<\/sup> of December, in 1941, Thailand and Japan formed an alliance that held a secret protocol in which Tokyo agreed to assist Thailand in regaining the Thai territories lost to the British and French forces. Shortly thereafter, on January 25th<\/sup>, 1943, Thailand declared war on the United Kingdom and United States<\/strong><\/a>. Thailand sought to assist Japan<\/strong><\/a> in its war against the allies, while at the same time maintaining the Seri Thai<\/a>, an anti-Japanese movement. Thailand emerged from the war as a US ally, and later underwent many decades of political instability. Thailand eventually regained control in the 1980s.<\/p>\n

2016 Geography of Thailand<\/p>\n

\"Islands<\/a>

Islands in the Gulf of Thailand<\/p><\/div>\n

A bit larger than Spain, Thailand is the world\u2019s 51st<\/sup> largest country at 198,120 square miles. The highest point in the country is Doi Inthanon, a part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range in north Thailand, at 8,415 feet above sea level. The Khorat Plateau, in the northeast of the country, is bordered by the Mekong River in the east. The Chao Phraya river valley runs into the Gulf of Thailand, in the center of the country. It is one of the sustainable resources of Thailand, as is the Mekong River<\/a>. As well as being an industrial center of Thailand, the Gulf of Thailand is a big hit with tourists, as it boasts beautiful beaches and clear, shallow water. The Southern area of Thailand holds the Kra Isthmus that later widens out into the Malay Peninsula. With the most luxurious hotels of Asia surrounding its waters, the Andaman Sea is widely regarded as the most precious natural resource of Thailand.\u00a0The tropical climate of Thailand owes itself to the large quantities of monsoonal rains throughout the seasons.<\/p>\n