Thousands of years of migratory movements have shaped Thailand. First, the Mon swept in, giving rise to Suvarnabhumi, “The Land of Gold”. This evolved into the Dvaravati Kingdom by the 6th century, and their northern expansion bumped into the Nanchao near Chiang Rai 400 years later. Later, the Sukhothai and Lanna Kingdoms developed prosperous cultural industries and Buddhist monuments that can still be seen today.

Beginning in the mid-12^th century ancient Thailand, then known as Siam, was centered in Ayutthaya. The capital moved to Bangkok in the late 18^th century, coinciding with the founding of the Chakri Dynasty.