Thailand's tropical climate creates a landscape dominated by lush tropical rainforests in the south and rich agricultural valleys in the north. Although the Thai economy still is dominated by agricultural commerce, it is quickly industrializing. The economy has been booming, with a growth rate of about 8 percent annually for the past several years, until the recent economic crunch in Asia. Major industries include agriculture, fishing, tin mining, rice, tapioca, and fine arts. Within the manufacturing sector, appliance manufacturing, furniture, high-tech products, and plastics are all important.
Tourism also is an important source of revenue.
Thailand and the southernmost regions of China share a common ancient history. About four thousand years ago, people from these areas began a period of cross-migration, a process that blended the region's people and cultures. Various ethnic groups struggled for preeminence until the thirteenth century, when the Thai people evicted the Khmer people and the Thai nation was founded. In 1782, King Rama I established Bangkok as the capital of what was then called the kingdom of Siam. During the era when most non-European nations were subject to European colonial rule, Thailand managed to remain free by playing the competing French and British against each other.