A History of Thailand

by Chris Baker , Pasuk Phongpaichit

• ISBN13: 9780521759151
• ISBN10: 0521759153
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-06-30
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

In A History of Thailand, Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit reveal how a world of mandarin nobles and unfree labour evolved into a rural society of smallholder peasants and an urban society populated mainly by migrants from southern China. They trace how a Buddhist cosmography adapted to new ideas of time and space, and a traditional polity was transformed into a new nation-state under a strengthened monarchy. The authors cover the contests between urban nationalists, ambitious generals, communist rebels, business politicians, and social movements to control the nation-state and redefine its purpose. They describe the dramatic changes wrought by a booming economy, globalization, and the evolution of mass society. Finally, they show how Thailand's path is still being contested by those who believe in change from above and those who fight for democracy and liberal values. Drawing on new Thai-language research, this second edition brings the Thai story up to date and includes a new section on the 2006 coup and the restoration of an elected government in 2008.

Author Biography

Chris Baker taught Asian history at Cambridge University, and has lived in Thailand for over 20 years. He is now an independent writer, researcher and translator. Pasuk Phongpaichit is Professor of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. She has written widely in Thai and English on the Thai economy, sex industry, corruption, illegal economy and social movements.

Table of Contents

Illustrations	p. vi
Preface	p. viii
Abbreviations	p. x
Glossary	p. xi
Chronology	p. xv
Before Bangkok	p. 1
The old order in transition, 1760s to 1860s	p. 26
Reforms, 1850s to 1910s	p. 47
Peasants, merchants, and officials, 1870s to 1930s	p. 81
Nationalisms, 1910s to 1940s	p. 105
The American era and development, 1940s to 1960s	p. 140
Ideologies, 1940s to 1970s	p. 168
Globalization and mass society, 1970s onwards	p. 199
Politics, 1970s onwards	p. 233
Postscript: the strong state and the well-being of the people	p. 276
Notes	p. 297
Reigns and prime ministers	p. 292
Glossary of names	p. 294
Readings	p. 303
Index	p. 308
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