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Thailand's origin is traditionally tied to the short-lived kingdom of Sukhothai founded in 1238. After contact with the west in the 16th century, adroit diplomacy enabled Siam to remain independent of European colonization, the only country in Southeast Asia able to do so. A mostly bloodless revolution established a constitutional monarchy in 1932 known initially as Siam until, under Pibul Songgram's military dictatorship, the name Thailand was adopted. What does the word thai mean?