also: シャムロ
noun
Siam (former name of Thailand)
Historical name for Thailand, used before 1939 and briefly in 1945–1949. Now obsolete except in historical contexts.
シャムは1939年にタイに国名を変更した。
Siam changed its name to Thailand in 1939.
この古い地図にはシャムと書いてある。
This old map says Siam.
Ateji kanji spelling; obsolete and rarely used today.
Obsolete reading variant; lists it but modern usage is essentially nonexistent.
Modern name for the country; use タイ for contemporary contexts.
From Portuguese 'Sciam', ultimately from Sanskrit 'śyāma' (dark) via Thai 'sayam'.