Thailand at a Glance
Historical Background
There are conflicting opinions as to the origins of the Thai. Only a few decades ago. it could be said with
presumed certainly thai they originated in northwestern Szechuan in China about 4,500 years ago and later
migrated down to their present homdand. However, this theory has been altered by the discovery of remarkable prehistoric
artifacts in the village of Ban Chiang ,
in the northern province of UdonThani .
These include evidence of bronze metallurgy going back 3,500 years, as well as odier indications of a far more
sophisricaied culture lhan any previously suspected. It now appears that the Thais
might have originated here in Thailand
and later scattered to various parts of Asia, including some parts of China, though as yet the matter is far from settled.
Prehistoric paintings at Phu Plara
hill in Uthai Thani province reflect the mysterious beliefs of the primitive people in the area.
"Siam" is the name by which the country was known to the world until 1949. On II May 1949, an official
proclamation changed the name of the country to "Praihet Thai", or Thailand. The word "Thai" means "free", and
therefore "Thailand" means "Land of the Free."
Painted pottery from Ban Chiang .
Each design painted in red on a cream background is unique. Archaeologists have discovered numerous pieces of pottery from the area.
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