History and Politics (Thailand)

Kingdoms and Modernisation

25 practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.

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Random questions from this topic, one at a time. You see the answer and the explanation straight after each one.

All 25 questions

  1. Which kingdom, founded in the thirteenth century, is often named as the first major Thai kingdom?
  2. Which kingdom had its capital on an island in the Chao Phraya river from 1351 until 1767?
  3. Which royal dynasty has ruled Thailand since 1782?
  4. Which king founded Bangkok as the capital in 1782?
  5. By which earlier name did the world know Thailand until 1939?
  6. Which is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonised by a European power?
  7. Who founded the Thonburi kingdom after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767?
  8. Which army destroyed the Ayutthaya capital in 1767?
  9. Which inscription, dated to 1283 and linked to King Ramkhamhaeng, is traditionally taken as the first writing in the Thai script?
  10. Which king, reigning from 1868 to 1910, modernised Siam and abolished slavery?
  11. What was the effect of the Bowring Treaty signed with Britain in 1855?
  12. Which group led the revolution of 24 June 1932 that ended the absolute monarchy?
  13. Under which leader was the country's name changed from Siam to Thailand in 1939?
  14. In which year did Siam declare war on Germany and Austria-Hungary, joining the Allies in the First World War?
  15. What was the name of the anti-Japanese resistance network of the Second World War in Thailand?
  16. Which king required every family to adopt a surname in 1913?
  17. Which event on 14 October 1973 forced a military government to leave power?
  18. Which action by the government on 2 July 1997 started the Asian financial crisis?
  19. Which king reigned for seventy years, from 1946 to 2016?
  20. What did Siam give up to France after the 1893 crisis at Paknam?
  21. Ayutthaya was founded in 1351 and fell in 1767. For how many years did the kingdom last?
  22. The capital was at Thonburi from 1767 until Bangkok took over in 1782. How long was it capital?
  23. The Chakri dynasty began in 1782 and the absolute monarchy ended in 1932. How long did absolute rule last?
  24. Which list puts the Thai capitals in order from earliest to latest?
  25. Which option pairs each king with a reform correctly?

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