The Kingdom of Thailand has a very long and rich history, dating back thousands of years to prehistoric times. Several empires and Kingdoms have ruled the country, leaving behind impressive landmarks and historical sites that still remain today.
Thailand has been inhabited for thousands of years. The earliest inhabitants during prehistoric times were hunters and gatherers. Between the 20th and 15thcentury BC early man started basic forms of farming and village construction.
A number of archeological sites around the country provide evidence of human settlement during the Neolithic age, bronze age and iron age.
Earliest sites
Ban Chiang in Udon Thani province is one of Thailand’s best known prehistorical sites, that has become famous for its beautiful ceramic pottery that was found there. The site was inhabited for almost 2000 years and shows the transition of early man from Neolithic age into bronze and iron age.
Among the oldest sites in Thailand is Phu Phra Bat historical park in Udon Thani province. This forested sandstone hill contains traces of several cultures in different eras spanning thousands of years.
Ancient Khmer temple in Thailand