A Brief History
The name "Thailand" means "land of the free", and throughout the country's 800-year history, this nation has the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized.
Formerly known as Siam to foreigners who first came to this region in the 12th century, the country's name was changed to Thailand when it became a democracy in 1939.
Long before the emergence of the Thai kingdom during the 12th Century, the area known as the Chao Phraya valley was inhabited by ancient civilizations that can be traced back to prehistoric times.
As each civilization gave way to the next, each has provided today's Thailand the basis of culture, language, religion, and independence.
Religion
Although Buddhism is no longer Thailand's official state religion, the stronghold of this ancient belief system continues to flourish across the country. When witnessing of Christ, many Christians find it hard to breakthrough the mind sets of reincarnation, karma, idol worship, and fear that Thai people struggle with.
Official records show the following: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census from www.cia.gov)
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