Thailand
/ˈtaɪlænd/- a kingdom in SE Asia; pop. 65,998, 400 (est. 2009); official language, Thai; capital, Bangkok. Former name (until 1939) SIAM.泰国（东南亚的一个王国, 2009年估计人口65,998, 400, 官方语言泰语, 首都曼谷, 1939年前称为暹罗）。
A powerful Thai kingdom emerged in the 14th century. In the 19th century it lost territory in the east to France and in the south to Britain. Thailand was occupied by the Japanese in the Second World War; it supported the US in the Vietnam War, later experiencing a large influx of refugees from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932, the king remaining head of state.