20 July 1961

‘Thailand’ to be retained as name of country

After three debates on the issue, the Constituent Assembly voted to continue using the name Thailand rather than Siam. The prime minister, who favoured ‘Thailand’, reportedly smiled at the 134 to 5 majority.

Advocates of ‘Thailand’ said it encouraged patriotism among Thais, although opponents said ‘Siam’, the nation’s original name, was more ethnically inclusive. The country was renamed Thailand in 1939, became Siam again in 1945 and reverted to Thailand in 1949.

20 July 1961

‘Thailand’ to be retained as name of country

After three debates on the issue, the Constituent Assembly voted to continue using the name Thailand rather than Siam. The prime minister, who favoured ‘Thailand’, reportedly smiled at the 134 to 5 majority.

Advocates of ‘Thailand’ said it encouraged patriotism among Thais, although opponents said ‘Siam’, the nation’s original name, was more ethnically inclusive. The country was renamed Thailand in 1939, became Siam again in 1945 and reverted to Thailand in 1949.