Know your history

Myanmar has been a culturally diverse country since ancient times. The earliest inhabitants of Myanmar were the Pyu people, who are thought to have come from present-day Yunnan in China. The Pyu established the first known kingdom in Myanmar, the Kingdom of Sri Ksetra, in the 2nd century BC. The Sri Ksetra Kingdom was a prosperous and powerful kingdom which controlled a large area of present-day Myanmar.

The Sri Ksetra Kingdom was eventually conquered by the Kingdom of Pagan in the 9th century AD. The Kingdom of Pagan was a Buddhist kingdom which ruled over a large area of present-day Myanmar. The Kingdom of Pagan was eventually conquered by the Mongols in the 13th century.

The Mongols ruled over Myanmar for a short period of time before being overthrown by the Kingdom of Ava in the 14th century. The Kingdom of Ava was a Buddhist kingdom which ruled over present-day Myanmar. The Kingdom of Ava was eventually conquered by the Kingdom of Toungoo in the 16th century.

The Kingdom of Toungoo was a Buddhist kingdom which ruled over present-day Myanmar. The Kingdom of Toungoo was founded by King Bayinnaung in 1551. King Bayinnaung was a powerful ruler who conquered most of present-day Myanmar and parts of present-day Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The Kingdom of Toungoo was eventually conquered by the Kingdom of Pegu in the 17th century.

The Kingdom of Pegu was a Buddhist kingdom which ruled over present-day Myanmar. The Kingdom of Pegu was founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752. King Alaungpaya was a powerful ruler who conquered most of present-day Myanmar. The Kingdom of Pegu was eventually conquered by the British in the 19th century.

The British rule over Myanmar lasted for a hundred years. During this time, the British introduced Western education and culture to Myanmar. Myanmar became a colony of the British Empire in 1885. Myanmar achieved independence from the British Empire in 1948.

Since independence, Myanmar has been ruled by a series of military dictators. The military dictatorship has been repressive and has led to human rights abuses and economic stagnation.

Thailand has also been a culturally diverse country since ancient times. The earliest inhabitants of Thailand were the Mon people, who are thought to have come from present-day Myanmar. The Mon established the first known kingdom in Thailand, the Kingdom of Dvaravati, in the 6th century AD. The Kingdom of Dvaravati was a prosperous and powerful kingdom which controlled a large area of present-day Thailand.

The Kingdom of Dvaravati was eventually conquered by the Khmer Empire in the 11th century. The Khmer Empire was a Hindu kingdom which ruled over present-day Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. The Khmer Empire was eventually conquered by the Kingdom of Ayutthaya in the 14th century.

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya was a Buddhist kingdom which ruled over present-day Thailand. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya was founded by King Rama Thibodi in 1351. King Rama Thibodi was a powerful ruler who conquered most of present-day Thailand. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya was eventually conquered by the Burmese in the 18th century.

The Burmese rule over Thailand lasted for a short period of time before the Thais regained their independence in the 19th century. Since independence, Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy. Thailand has a developed economy and is a major tourist destination.

Myanmar and Thailand are two countries in Southeast Asia with a long history of cultural diversity. Both countries have been inhabited by a variety of ethnic groups since ancient times. Both countries have been influenced by Buddhism, but there are also significant Muslim and Christian minorities in both countries.