3600-250 BC		Bronze Age civilisation flourishes.
1500 BC		Smelting of Iron being carried out.
10th C. AD		Kingdom of Dvarati located in Chao Phraya River basin - later controlled by Khmers of Cambodia.
11th C. AD		Thai tribes migrate to the region from Yunan, Southern China.
12th C. AD		Thai Kingdom of Sukhotai formed in northern Thailand - expanded south to defeat Dvarati.
1351		Kingdom of Ayutthaya founded in central Thailand. Later absorbs rival Thai states
15th C.		Buddhism becomes state religion, centralised civil service established
16th C.		Country frequently overrun by the Burmese.
1767		Ayutthaya destroyed by invading Burmese army.
1782		Chakri dynasty established. Capital moved to Bangkok.
1800		Siam kingdom includes parts of Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Malaya.
1826		Commercial treaty signed with Britain.
1851		King Mongkut begins gradual modernisation of the country.
1855		King Mongkut signs Bowring trade treaty with Britain. Siam opened to foreign trade.
1863-1867		Siam forced by France to abandon claims to Cambodia.
1868		Reign of King Chulalongkorn begins. Modernisation continued. Railway network developed.
1893		All territory east of Mekong River yielded to France - including all of Laos.
1896		Anglo-French accord guarantees Siam's independence.
July 1917		Siam joins World War I on the side of the Allies.
1925		King Prajadhipok begins absolute rule.
June 1932		Bloodless military civilian coup ends absolute monarchy. Constitutional monarchy introduced with parliamentary government.
1933		Military takes full control.
1938		Nationalist General Phibun (also spelled 'Pibul') appointed Prime Minister.
1939		Siam officially renamed Thailand ("Land of the Free").
1940		Thailand gains territory from French Indochina.
8 Dec 1941		Japanese occupation begins after token resistance. Government collaborates under General Phibun. Free-Thai movement aids Allies.
15 Jan 1942		Phibun declares war on USA and Britain.
1943		Territory in Burma and Malaya given to Thailand by Japanese.
1944		Japanese occupation ends. General Phibun voted out of office.
1945		Exiled King Ananda returns. Territory acquired in WW2 returned.
1946		King Ananda assassinated. Country renamed Siam.
9 Nov 1947		Military coup by pro-Japanese wartime leader Phibun.
1949		Country name of 'Thailand' restored.
1954		Thailand made headquarters of SEATO.
1957		Military coup. Phibun exiled. Constitution abolished, rule by decree introduced.
1965		Thailand allows USA to use Thai bases during Vietnam War, in return for military and financial aid.
1969		New constitution endorses elected parliament.
17 Nov 1971		Army suspends constitution after political unrest and communist guerrilla attacks.
Oct 1973		Student riots in Bangkok lead to fall of military government.
20 March 1976		US forces ordered to leave Thailand.
Oct 1976		Hardline military junta takes control gain in bloody coup.
1978		Massive influx of refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Mar 1980		Prime Minister Prem takes office. Significant moves towards political and economic stability introduced.
August 1988		Democratic elections held.
Feb 1991		Civilian government overthrown due to gross corruption. 17th military coup since 1932.
March 1992		New civilian government takes power. Further elections in September.
1997		Asian financial crisis - rapid currency fall causes bankruptcies and unemployment.
1998		Migrant workers sent home. Economic reforms initiated.
Feb 2001		Border clashes between Thai and Burmese troops.
May 2002		Further border clashes with Burma.
Feb 2003		Crackdown on criminal drug gangs leads to violence.
Jan 2004		More than 100 killed by Islamic militants in the south
April 2004		Islamic militants attack police bases in the south