A History of Thailand

A History of Thailand PDF

Author: Christopher John Baker

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2014-05-30

Total Pages: 345

ISBN-13: 1107420210

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A History of Thailand offers a lively and accessible account of Thailand's political, economic, social and cultural history. This book explores how a world of mandarin nobles and unfree peasants was transformed and examines how the monarchy managed the foundation of a new nation-state at the turn of the twentieth century. The authors capture the clashes between various groups in their attempts to take control of the nation-state in the twentieth century. They track Thailand's economic changes through an economic boom, globalisation and the evolution of mass society. This edition sheds light on Thailand's recent political, social and economic developments, covering the coup of 2006, the violent street politics of May 2010, and the landmark election of 2011 and its aftermath. It shows how in Thailand today, the monarchy, the military, business and new mass movements are players in a complex conflict over the nature and future of the country's democracy.

Brief History of Thailand

Brief History of Thailand PDF

Author: Richard A. Ruth

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2022-02-15

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 1462922287

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Thailand is known for its picturesque beaches and famous temples, but there's much more to this popular holiday destination than many realize. A Brief History of Thailand offers an engaging look at the country's last 250 years--from coups and violent massacres to the invention of Pad Thai in the 1930's. Readers will learn the vibrant story of Thailand's emergence as a prosperous Buddhist state, its transformation from traditional kingdom to democratic constitutional monarchy and its subsequent rise to prominence in Southeast Asian affairs. Thailand's dramatic history spans centuries of conflict, and this book recounts many of these fascinating episodes, including: The true story of Anna Leonowens, the British governess hired to teach the children of King Mongkut, fictionalized in Margaret Landon's bestselling novel Anna and the King of Siam and turned into a hit Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and film, The King and I The bloodless Siamese Revolution of 1932 that established overnight the first constitutional monarchy in Asia, ending almost eight centuries of absolute rule and creating a democratic system of parliamentary government The Japanese invasion of Thailand and construction of the "Bridge Over the River Kwai" made famous by the novel and Oscar-winning film The mysterious death of King Ananda Mahidol, murdered in his bed in 1946, and a source of controversy ever since The development of Thailand as an international playground during the Vietnam War, when American military used it as rowdy destination for servicemen on furlough The 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-serving monarch, who was born in the U.S., educated in Switzerland, loved to play the saxophone and was idolized by his people With this book, historian and professor Richard A. Ruth has skillfully crafted an accessible cultural and political history of an understudied nation. Covering events through the King's death in 2016, A Brief History of Thailand will be of interest to students, travelers and anyone hoping to learn more about this part of the world.

A History of Thailand

A History of Thailand PDF

Author: Chris Baker

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2009-04-14

Total Pages: 334

ISBN-13: 0521767687

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The second edition of this book draws on new Thai-language research and brings the Thai story up to date.

A Regional Economic History of Thailand

A Regional Economic History of Thailand PDF

Author: Porphant Ouyyanont

Publisher: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

Published: 2017-09-15

Total Pages: 413

ISBN-13: 9814786128

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This book presents an economic history of Bangkok, the Central Region, the North, the South, and Northeastern Regions from the signing of the Bowring Treaty in 1855 to the present. Most research has focused on Bangkok as the centre of change affecting other regions and has neglected other regions that had an influence on Bangkok. This book however looks at the changes not only in Bangkok, but also in the other regions, and emphasizes the ways in which Bangkok had an impact on the other regions, and how changes in the other regions affected Bangkok. It also looks, in turn, at each of the principal regions, and concentrate on the long-term economic and social changes and the various forces which promoted the changes.

An Illustrated History of Thailand

An Illustrated History of Thailand PDF

Author: John Hoskin

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781909612693

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This fully illustrated history is divided geographically according to the sequence of succeeding Thai kingdoms. Each section follows a historical chronology, covering accounts of major events during each reign, with an assessment of the character of individual kings and their particular achievements, together with those of other major players. This record of events is blended with descriptive passages about monuments surviving today that are relevant to and help illuminate the history. Political development is thus paralleled by Thailand's cultural development, especially in relation to the religious and royal architecture. Thailand's historical progression has been complex, and although the foundations of national identity - religion and monarchy in particular - were established in the earliest days of statehood dating back to the 13th century, it is only in comparatively recent times that all elements - social, political, cultural and linguistic -have cohered into what is recognizable today as Thai and Thailand. By linking the text to existing landmarks the history provides both an enjoyable read in its own right and a fascinating guide to the monuments and buildings that visitors can see on their travels around the country.

A History of Ayutthaya

A History of Ayutthaya PDF

Author: Chris Baker

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2017-05-11

Total Pages: 345

ISBN-13: 1107190762

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The first full history of a great commercial and political center that rose in Asia over almost five centuries.

Thailand

Thailand PDF

Author: David K. Wyatt

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 2003-01-01

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 9780300084757

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This highly acclaimed book, the standard history of Thailand for almost twenty years, has now been completely revised by the author. David K. Wyatt has also added new sections examining the social and economic changes that have transformed the country in the past two decades. Praise for the previous edition: "Wyatt knows his subject well enough and has enough enthusiasm for it to make his book . . . entertaining as well as eminently educational."--David McElveen, Asiaweek "A very readable account. . . .We come away from reading it with a clearer understanding of where Thailand stands in relation to its neighbors, who the Thai people are, how the Thai government evolved into its present form."--James Stent, Asian Wall Street Journal "Concise, thorough, and readable."--John Gabree, New York Newsday

The Lost Territories

The Lost Territories PDF

Author: Shane Strate

Publisher: University of Hawaii Press

Published: 2015-01-31

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 0824854373

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It is a cherished belief among Thai people that their country was never colonized. Yet politicians, scholars, and other media figures chronically inveigh against Western colonialism and the imperialist theft of Thai territory. Thai historians insist that the country adapted to the Western-dominated world order more successfully than other Southeast Asian kingdoms and celebrate their proud history of independence. But many Thai leaders view the West as a threat and portray Thailand as a victim. Clearly Thailand's relationship with the West is ambivalent. The Lost Territories explores this conundrum by examining two important and contrasting strands of Thai historiography: the well-known Royal-Nationalist ideology, which celebrates Thailand's long history of uninterrupted independence; and what the author terms "National Humiliation discourse," its mirror image. Shane Strate examines the origins and consequences of National Humiliation discourse, showing how the modern Thai state has used the idea of national humiliation to sponsor a form of anti-Western nationalism. Unlike triumphalist Royal-Nationalist narratives, National Humiliation history depicts Thailand as a victim of Western imperialist bullying. Focusing on key themes such as extraterritoriality, trade imbalances, and territorial loss, National Humiliation history maintains that the West impeded Thailand's development even while professing its support and cooperation. Although the state remains the hero in this narrative, it is a tragic heroism defined by suffering and foreign oppression. Through his insightful analysis of state and media sources, Strate demonstrates how Thai politicians have deployed National Humiliation imagery in support of ethnic chauvinism and military expansion. He shows how the discourse became the ideological foundation of Thailand's irredentist strategy, the state's anti-Catholic campaign, and its acceptance of pan-Asianism during World War II; and how the "state as victim" narrative has been used by politicians to redefine Thai identity and elevate the military into the role of national savior. The Lost Territories will be of particular interest to historians and political scientists for the light it sheds on many episodes of Thai foreign policy, including the contemporary dispute over Preah Vihear. The book's analysis of the manipulation of historical memory will interest academics exploring similar phenomena worldwide.

The History of Thailand

The History of Thailand PDF

Author: Patit Paban Mishra

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2010-08-19

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 1573567914

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The book provides a clear portrayal of Thailand's culture and society, and explains its significance in the history of human civilization, its strategic geographic location, and its attraction as a tourist destination. Thailand is a fascinating country with a very rich culture and history. Today, it is home to over 60 million people, and is a newly industrialized nation with an emerging world economy. Thailand is the world's leading exporter of rice, with roughly half of its arable land dedicated to rice fields. As home to one of the earliest iron and bronze cultures, Thailand can be regarded as a "cradle of civilization." This book is divided into 11 chapters that follow an introduction that explains the text's scope, organization and methodology. A chronology of historical events, biographical entries on key figures, a bibliography, a glossary of terms, and selected maps provide an enlightening, complete view of Thailand's culture and world significance.