The Kingdom of Thailand, a constitutional monarchy located I the center of mainland southeast Asia between Burma and Lao, has an area of 198,457 sq. mi. (514,000 sq. km.) and a population of 60.49 million. Capital: Bangkok. The economy is based on agriculture and mining. Rubber, rice, teakwood, tin and tungsten are exported. ,The history of Thailand, the only country in south and southeast Asia that was never colonized by an European power, dates from the 6th century A.D. when tribes of the Thai stock migrated into the area from the Asiatic continent, a process that accelerated with the Mongol invasion of China in the 13th century. After 400 years of sporadic warfare with the neighboring Burmese, King Taksin won the last battle in 1767. He founded a new capital, Dhonburi, on the west bank of Chao Praya River. King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok in 1782.,, ,The Thai were introduced to the Western world by the Portuguese, who were followed by the Dutch, British and French. Rama III of the present ruling dynasty negotiated a treaty of friendship and commerce with Britain in 1826, and in 1896 the independence of the kingdom was guaranteed by an Anglo-French accord. The absolute monarchy was changed into a constitutional monarchy in 1932. This was maintained when the name of the country was changed to Thailand in 1939.,, ,In 1909 Siam ceded to Great Britain its suzerain rights over the dependencies of Kedah, Kelantan, Trengganu and Perlis, Malay states situated in southern Siam just north of British Malaya. This eliminated any British jurisdiction in Siam proper.,, ,On December 8, 1941, after five hours of fighting, Thailand agreed to permit Japanese troops passage through the country to invade northern British Malaya. This eventually led to increased Japanese intervention and finally occupation of the country. On January 25, 1942, Thailand declared war on Great Britain and the United States. A free Thai guerilla movement was soon organized to counteract the Japanese. In July 1943, Japan transferred the four northern Malay States back to Thailand. These were returned to Great Britain after peace treaties were signed in 1946.,, Rulers:,,, ,Rama IV (Phra Chom Klao Mongkut), 1851-1868,, ,Rama V (Phra Maha Chualongkorn), 1868-1910,, ,Rama VI (Vajiravudh), 1910-1925,, ,Rama VII (Prajadhipok), 1925-1935,, ,Rama VIII (Anada Mahidol), 1935-1946,, ,Rama IX (Bhumiphol Adulyade), 1946-,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Baht (Tical) = 100 Satang,, ,1 Tamlung = 4 Baht, 1853,,