14 Facts About Siam

Thailand, historically known as Siam and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning 513,120 square kilometres, with a population of almost 70 million.

Siam was succeeded in 1782 by Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the first monarch of the current Chakri dynasty.

In World War I, Siam sided with the Allies, a political decision made in order to amend the unequal treaties.

Siam later crowned himself the first king of Sukhothai Kingdom in 1238.

Siam is believed have invented Thai script and Thai ceramics were an important export in his era.

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Siam unified the surrounding area and his dynasty would rule the kingdom continuously for the next two centuries.

Siam created a network of states through political alliances to the east and north of the Mekong.

Siam's forces engaged in wars with Burma, Laos, and Cambodia, which successfully drove the Burmese out of Lan Na in 1775, captured Vientiane in 1778 and tried to install a pro-Thai king in Cambodia in the 1770s.

Siam created suzerainty over large portions of Laos and Cambodia.

Siam established twelve krom in 1888, which were equivalent to present-day ministries.

In 1917, Siam joined the First World War on the side of the Allies.

Siam's government adopted nationalism and Westernisation, anti-Chinese and anti-French policies.

Siam's rule was autocratic; he built his legitimacy around the god-like status of the monarch and by channelling the government's loyalty to the king.

Siam's policies were successful in reducing rural poverty and initiated universal healthcare in the country.