Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1988
Chatichai Choonhavan becomes first elected prime minister since 1976.
1991-2
General Suchinda attempts to seize power; King Bhumibol intervenes to halt civil turmoil surround-
ing 'Black May' protests.
1997
Asian economic crisis; passage of historic 'people's constitution'.
2001
Telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra is elected prime minister.
2004
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 5000 people in Thailand and damages tourism and fishing indus-
tries; Muslim insurgency reignites in the Deep South.
2006
King Bhumibol celebrates 60th year on the throne; Thaksin government overthrown in a coup and
prime minister forced into exile.
2008
Cambodia successfully petitions Unesco to list Khao Phra Wihan as a World Heritage Site, reigniting
border tensions; pro-royalist Yellow Shirt activists, seize Bangkok's international airports, causing a
week-long shut-down.
2010
Pro-Thaksin Red Shirt activists occupy central Bangkok for two months; military crackdown results
in 91 deaths.
2011
Yingluck Shinawatra becomes Thailand's first female prime minister; devastating floods inundate in-
dustrial region.
2013
Peace talks start then stall with southern militants.
2015
Scheduled start of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
