Overview
Since the revolution of 1932, Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy. Its politics have alternated between military governments, brief democratic openings and elected rule, while its economy grew into one of Southeast Asia’s largest.
Key developments
Siam was renamed Thailand in 1939 under Phibun. In December 1941 Japanese forces entered Thailand; the Phibun government allied with Japan and declared war on Britain and the United States in 1942, while the Free Thai Movement worked with the Allies, and Thailand was treated leniently after the war.
Postwar Thailand allied closely with the United States — SEATO was headquartered in Bangkok — and rapid growth from the 1960s culminated in a boom from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.
The October 14, 1973 popular uprising toppled military rule; the October 6, 1976 massacre of students at Thammasat University — officially 46 killed, with estimates exceeding 100 — preceded a return of military-led government; the Black May protests of 1992 were followed by a democratic decade and the 1997 “people’s constitution”. The 1997 Asian financial crisis began with the baht, and the 2000s–2010s brought deep political polarization, with military coups in 2006 and 2014. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) reigned from 1946 to 2016 — 70 years.
End and transition
The period is ongoing. Since 2016 Thailand has been under the reign of Vajiralongkorn (Rama X).