These articles do not claim to provide a complete and detailed account of the entire history of Siam, or indeed of Thailand. Here you will find some important periods of Siam's extensive past, and in this form they should be of great interest to German readers. The cultural awareness of the Thais and the associated return to the origins of their culture developed very late. The first attempts at scientific research date back to the 1970s; however, this was largely initiated by foreign institutions. Until then, research was limited to the preservation of important monuments and temple complexes. As a result, much of which would have been of great significance for Thailand's cultural development remains obscure. One important reason may have been the destruction of Sukhothai and Ayuthaya, where unimaginable treasures of cultural property were lost. But since around 1970, research has advanced with great strides, proving that Thailand is also a country with a rich past. This book focuses particularly on the development of the Sukhothai and Ayuthaya dynasties. It ends with King Chulalongkorn and the Kingdom of Siam and the beginning of the Kingdom of Thailand.