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In the pre-dawn hours of 24 June 1932 a band of disgruntled Thai bureaucrats, with a small clique of army colonels supporting the, staged an unlikely coup against the government of the last absolute monarch of Thailand. Using bluff and deception, they called together a number of armored units and infantrymen at the center of Bangkok and declared a new government, a new regime to function in the name of the king but under the authority of a modern, democratic constitution: Rattamanoon in Thai. Thus was parliamentary government introduced to Thailand amid the conflicting ambitions of rising new leaders and the misapprehension of the very people to whom the king eventually bequethed his sovreign powers and governmental authority. Joseph Wright's the Balancing Act chronicles the rise of Thailand's constitutional goverment and the parallel decline and resurgence of the Thai monarchy over the past sixty years. The Balancing Act traces the modern Thailand through the long series of coups and coup attempts that followed the 1932 "revolution" up to and including the most recent coup on 23 February 1991, from the failed attempts at reform by King Rama VII in the 1920's to the monarchy's revival and restoration under the presetn King Rama IX. Drawing from a variety of resources, including schlolarly studies, contemporary journalism and the memoirs of historical figures, The Balancing Act is an excellent survey of the development of modern Thai political culture. While in places the book reads like a novel, its index, appendixes, and detailed footnotes enchance its value as a research and reference tool for academics. "Since the 1930's Thai leaders have had to walk a fine line between the requirments of tradition and innovation, and from the beginning Thai prime ministers have likened their roles to those of the circus acrobat or juggler. ... Read more

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Readable and informative
A very well written modern history of Thailand. Readable and informative.
Modern Thai history is - reasonably - taken to have begun in 1932 with the end of absolute monarchy and this book covers the period from then until the beginning of 1991. With over 300 pages for 60 years it is a fairly detailed history and the more rewarding for that. The author and publishers are American and the book in Thailand carefully absolves the local distributor, Asia Books, of any responsibility for any offence which the book may cause. Whilst a foreign author may not have a complete 'feel' for local values he also does not have the same 'respect' for superiors that a Thai author would - so the book is much more candid as it describes the machinations of politicians and elites through sundry constitutions and 19 coups. The book went to press too soon after the 1991 coup to effectively incorporate an analysis of that, though subsequent events tend to support the book's optimistic conclusion that coups are going out of fashion and democracy is starting to take root in Thailand. The book also gives a good understanding of why modern Thai's are so devoted to the Monarchy. ... Read more

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Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993) is widely regarded as modern Thailand’s most influential Buddhist philosopher. His thought had a profound intellectual impact in Thailand in the second half of the twentieth century. His life mission was to undertake a complete reexamination of Theravada Buddhist teachings. By returning to the Buddha’s original teachings in the Suttapitakaand bydrawing on aspects of Zen Buddhism, Buddhadasa crafted a vision of Thai Buddhism as a socially, politically, and intellectually progressive force. This vision of a modern Theravada Buddhism fit for a modern, democratic, and socially just Thailand continues to inspire large numbers of Thai people in the twenty-first century.

In this book Peter Jackson examines Buddhadasa’s life work and thought, placing them in the context of the political, economic, and intellectual changes that transformed Thailand in the twentieth century. Combining biographical studies with critical philosophical and sociological analyses of Buddhadasa’s reforms of Thai Buddhist teachings, Peter Jackson emphasizes the path-breaking and often radical ideas of one of the greatest Buddhist thinkers of the last century. This book is a revised and expanded edition of Peter Jackson’s Buddhadasa: A Buddhist Thinker for the Modern World, published in 1988. It contains a new epilogue tracing the controversy surrounding Buddhadasa’s death in 1993 and reflecting on the philosopher-monk’s lasting legacy in Thailand. ... Read more

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The second edition, which first provides an overview of the country in the introduction, traces the long and complicated history in the chronology and goes into much greater detail in the dictionary. Offering 64 new entries, as well as updates and revisions to older ones, the dictionary presents important persons, places, institutions, and more in an easily accessible resource. Significant recent events are discussed including the 1997-98 Thai economic crisis and its effects, reforms of the national government, and the growth in political roles of both businessman and other middle class members. In addition, the book updates basic information relative to population growth, urbanization, and industrialization of the economy. All this is topped off by a solid bibliography making this an essential reference tool. ... Read more

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Since January 2004, a violent separatist insurgency has raged in southern Thailand, resulting in more than three thousand deaths. Though largely unnoticed outside Southeast Asia, the rebellion in Pattani and neighboring provinces and the Thai government's harsh crackdown have resulted in a full-scale crisis. Tearing Apart the Land by Duncan McCargo, one of the world's leading scholars of contemporary Thai politics, is the first fieldwork-based book about this conflict. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of the region, hundreds of interviews conducted during a year's research in the troubled area, and unpublished Thai- language sources that range from anonymous leaflets to confessions extracted by Thai security forces, McCargo locates the roots of the conflict in the context of the troubled power relations between Bangkok and the Muslim-majority "deep South."

McCargo describes how Bangkok tried to establish legitimacy by co-opting local religious and political elites. This successful strategy was upset when Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister in 2001 and set out to reorganize power in the region. Before Thaksin was overthrown in a 2006 military coup, his repressive policies had exposed the precariousness of the Bangkok government's influence. A rejuvenated militant movement had emerged, invoking Islamic rhetoric to challenge the authority of local leaders obedient to Bangkok.

For readers interested in contemporary Southeast Asia, insurgency and counterinsurgency, Islam, politics, and questions of political violence, Tearing Apart the Land is a powerful account of the changing nature of Islam on the Malay peninsula, the legitimacy of the central Thai government and the failures of its security policy, the composition of the militant movement, and the conflict's disastrous impact on daily life in the deep South. Carefully distinguishing the uprising in southern Thailand from other Muslim rebellions, McCargo suggests that the conflict can be ended only if a more participatory mode of governance is adopted in the region. ... Read more

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A sectarian-based insurgency has raged in southern Thailand since January 2004, leaving three thousand dead and thousands more injured. Although southern Thailand has witnessed numerous periods of secessionist conflict, the present insurgency is different in two significant ways: it has radical jihadist overtones, and it has been marked by an unprecedented level of violence.Drawing heavily on original research and meticulous fieldwork, Zachary Abuza brings to the fore several issues that thus far have been ignored. In this eye-opening volume, he examines the roots of the current southern Thai conflict, gives a detailed overview of the present crisis, documents the flight of the south's Buddhist community, and argues that the Thai government has woefully misplayed its hand. Perhaps more sobering, Abuza warns that international jihadist groups may ultimately involve themselves in the conflict and escalate both the intensity and lethality of it, which would have profound implications on the global war on terror. With his careful and persuasive arguments and practical policy recommendations, Abuza draws attention to a poorly understood conflict and alerts readers to the dangers that may lie ahead for Thailand and Southeast Asia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

xploring the roots of the conflict, what's going on in the present time, the religious conflicts, and more
Thailand, a place promoted as one of the finer Asian tourist attractions, has its own problems. "Conspiracy of Silence: The Insurgency in Southern Thailand" discusses a modern problem that many Thai face in their society today - southern insurgents are trying to tear the country in two through a violent secessionist movement. Exploring the roots of the conflict, what's going on in the present time, the religious conflicts, and the errors the Thai government has made, "Conspiracy of Silence" is a complete and comprehensive discussion of this serious issue in modern Thailand. ... Read more

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This book gives an insight into the Thailand of today. It details the history, culture and contemporary predicament of a traditional Buddhist society struggling to preserve its integrity in the face of change. The author evokes the atmosphere of the country through descriptions of city and rural life where contradictions between old and new, sacred and profane constantly clash. This book may be of interest both to the armchair traveller and to the visitor. The author has also written "The Traveller's Key to Northern India". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fantasic!!
A great comprehensive book surrounding Thailand and it's culture.Especially interesting if you lived in Thailand as a foreigner for any part of time.Definetaly validated my experience there. ... Read more

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Thailand's history earliest to 1945. ... Read more

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The authors interweave text and colour illustrations to trace the development of early Thai societies. They show how the early hunter-gatherers of the inland forest and the coastal waters came into contact with the first rice farmers, who expanded south from the middle Yangzi Valley, bringing with them the early Mon language. It was in these village communities, such as Ban Chiang, that the first bronzes were cast. New research into the copper mining area and in Bronze Age cemetries provides an understanding of how bronze was used and how it influenced prehistoric societies. A major change took place in Thailand from about 500 BC, when iron came into use. Chiefdoms developed and trade opened up to ideas and goods from India and China. It was these Iron Age chiefs who laid the foundations for the civilization of Angkor and Dvaravati states which contribute to the origins of the modern kingdoms of Thailand. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A well illustrated compilation of prehistoric Thailand
A lavishly illustrated volume which provides a broad overview, for both the professional archaeologist and general reader, of the pre-history of Thailand. Dr. Higham must be commended for spending considerable time andeffort to produce this well needed compilation of the many archaeologicalexcavations in Thailand of the past thirty years or so. The archaeology ofSoutheast Asia is relatively new and has raised many unanswered questionsas well as ongoing controversy about the prehistoric origins of present dayThailand. The author quite naturally focuses on his many excavations andpresents his views of the data uncovered, and the general reader must beaware, as the author states: "any synthesis of Thai prehistory has ashort shelf life...as it should be". Most importantly, the publishershave simultaneously published a Thai language version, no doubt through theefforts of co-author Rachanie Thosarat, thereby being available, andaffordable, to Thai students and scholars as a valuable backgroundreference. In modern terms this beautiful book can be described as an"Executive Abstract" for anyone interested in prehistoricThailand and the state of archaeological investigation in that country. ... Read more

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This book concerns the French intervention in Siam, 1685-1688, particularly the cataclysmic last year, during which Phetracha, the usurper and future king, held the ailing King Narai prisoner until his death. Marcel Le Blanc was one of fourteen Jesuits who arrived in Siam at the request of King Narai to promote the study of mathematics and astrology, but he became inextricably involved in events surrounding Phetracha's coup d'etat. He was in Bangkok during the siege and the arrival of the King's favorite, Madame Phalkon, who was subsequently arrested and killed. He describes his departure from the country with the French troops, his capture by the Dutch at the Cape, and his imprisonment in Middleburg.

This new English edition of the book, first published in 1692, has been translated, introduced, and annotated by Michael Smithies, well-known scholar of the period. ... Read more

Product Description
This book concerns the French intervention in Siam, 1685-1688, particularly the cataclysmic last year, during which Phetracha, the usurper and future king, held the ailing King Narai prisoner until his death. Marcel Le Blanc was one of fourteen Jesuits who arrived in Siam at the request of King Narai to promote the study of mathematics and astrology, but he became inextricably involved in events surrounding Phetracha's coup d'etat. He was in Bangkok during the siege and the arrival of the King's favorite, Madame Phalkon, who was subsequently arrested and killed. He describes his departure from the country with the French troops, his capture by the Dutch at the Cape, and his imprisonment in Middleburg.

This new English edition of the book, first published in 1692, has been translated, introduced, and annotated by Michael Smithies, well-known scholar of the period. ... Read more

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The construction of the railway between Thailand and Burma in the Second World War using forced labor and prisoners of war has been the subject of numerous memoirs, novels and the famous Hollywood film The Bridge over the River Kwai. Yet documentation and primary sources offering an account of the railway from a Japanese, Allied, POW and post-war perspective are scarce. This six-volume collection uses documents from archives in Australia, Great Britain, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the United States, Myanmar, Thailand and Japan to present a complete picture of the reality of the "death" railway. ... Read more