Customer Reviews

Thailand: Economy and Politics

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In the past, Thai history was written by noblemen and created an idyll of a virtuous past, filled with happy peasants living a simple life under the watchful eye of benevolent despots. Unfortunately, many Westerners followed in this tradition, although they (and Thai nobles) criticized more recent, military regimes. This book breaks out of that box and makes it clear that life has never been easy for Thai peasants and that upper classes have rarely been all that virtuous. The authors also show a much more diverse Thailand than the "homogeneity" that is popularly ascribed. In addition, they detail the corruption of recent decades that should make Americans (as well as Japanes and others) who abetted it ashamed of the role they've played in in supporting horrible regimes. An excellent volume that is revisionist in the most positive sense of the word.

While living in Thailand for most of the 1990's, I was determined to understand the history of that wondrous country. Unfortunately, at the time there was little written that provided more than the chronologies and "accomplishments" of the Thai monarchy. That was, until "Thailand: Economy and Politics" was published.

This wife and husband team - she (Pasuk Phongpaichit), an economics professor at Thailand's top university, and he (Chris Baker), a history major from Britain - has written the most enlightening history book I've ever read. Beginning with the peasants and the impact that the aristocracy had on their lives, this book looks at history from an economic rather than a time-line perspective. It may be academic in nature, with plenty of tables and references, but it is immensely readable. Rather than fixating on the "who, what and when" of traditional history books, the authors explain why and how events happened as they did.

More than just explaining the past, this book (stealthily) explains a lot about what made the Thai people the way they are. Why are Thais so deferential to authority? Why is petty corruption so endemic in the bureaucracy? How has the large Chinese minority so easily integrated with Thai culture, unlike in many of its neighbors? How was Thailand impacted by the war in Vietnam? How does the monarchy cohabitate with the military and political leadership?

For those unfamiliar with Thailand, this book provides a beautiful portrait of the making of a country. For those who have spent a bit of time in Thailand, it will provide many "Ahh, now I understand" moments. How can a history book be any better?