Download or read book Brief History of Thailand written by Richard A. Ruth and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2022-02-15 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Thailand written by Maurizio Peleggi and published by Reaktion Books. This book was released on 2007-05-30 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tourist brochures and travel guides depict Thailand as an exotic country with a rich cultural heritage, strong religious traditions, and a popular monarchy. Historians also contribute to Thailand’s international allure with chronicles of its unique historical and cultural continuity in comparison to the other southeast Asian countries, whose histories are stained by colonialism and nationalist struggles for independence. Thailand challenges these stereotypes with a reinterpretation as well as an introduction to the emergence of Thailand as a nation-state. The book argues that the development of Thai nationhood was a long-term process shaped by interactions with the outside world, its pursuit of civilization, and, more recently, globalization. Maurizio Peleggi’s original account investigates, among other issues, the evolution of the geographical and linguistic landscapes, changes in class and gender relations, the role of institutions and ideologies, modern cultural expressions, social memory, and the conception of the Thai national self as contrasted against the racial and cultural Others of Burmese, Chinese and Westerners. Thailandis a concise and compelling introduction to the complexities that lie behind Thailand’s exotic facade.
Download or read book Thailand written by Various and published by Monaco Books. This book was released on 2018-02 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: -In the many striking images of this volume, the ancient kingdom of Thailand presents its multifaceted life, from floating markets and magnificent temples to exotic landscapes -Brilliant color photography -Informative texts -Spectacular views thanks to fold-out panoramic pages In the heart of Southeast Asia, the kingdom of Thailand encompasses a rich diversity of cultures and traditions shaped by more than 2,000 years of Buddhism. The landscape too is hugely varied, with the mountains and forests of the north contrasting with the vast rice fields of the central plains and the beautiful tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula in the south. Thailand's superb scenery, tropical climate and renowned hospitality (it is also known as the "Land of Smiles"), not to mention its unique cultural heritage, attracts millions of visitors annually. Whether it's the vibrancy and drama of the capital, Bangkok, the elegance of a Buddhist temple or the serenity of a sandy beach lapped by a turquoise sea, this book captures the essence of Thailand, using spectacular color photos and informative background text to bring this fascinating destination to life.
Download or read book A Kingdom in Crisis written by Andrew MacGregor Marshall and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2015-11-15 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Perhaps the best introduction yet to the roots of Thailand's present political impasse. A brilliant book.' Simon Long, The Economist Struggling to emerge from a despotic past, and convulsed by an intractable conflict that will determine its future, Thailand stands at a defining moment in its history. Scores have been killed on the streets of Bangkok. Freedom of speech is routinely denied. Democracy appears increasingly distant. And many Thais fear that the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej is expected to unleash even greater instability. Yet in spite of the impact of the crisis, and the extraordinary importance of the royal succession, they have never been comprehensively analysed – until now. Breaking Thailand's draconian lèse majesté law, Andrew MacGregor Marshall is one of the only journalists covering contemporary Thailand to tell the whole story. Marshall provides a comprehensive explanation that for the first time makes sense of the crisis, revealing the unacknowledged succession conflict that has become entangled with the struggle for democracy in Thailand.
Download or read book Thailand written by Charles F Keyes and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2019-07-09 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thailand is exceptional among modern states in Asia in that it has built and retained a national culture around a traditional monarchical institution. Moreover, this culture has also been based on a dominant religious tradition, that of Theravada Buddhism. The process of creating the modern nation-state of Thailand out of the traditional Buddhist kingdom of Siam began in the nineteenth century when the rulers of Siam, confronted with increasing pressure from the colonial powers of Britain and France, were able to preserve their country's independence by instituting revolutionary changes that established the authority of a centralized bureaucracy throughout the country. The new state asserted its authority not only over Siamese who lived in the core area of the old kingdom but also over large numbers of Lao, Yuan or Northern Thai, Khmer, Malays, tribal peoples, and other groups, all of which had previously enjoyed relative autonomy, and over the sizable immigrant Chinese population, which was assuming an increasingly significant role in the economy. Because the rulers of the Siamese state strove to incorporate these diverse peoples into a Thai national community, how this community should be defined and what type of state structure should be linked with it have been dominant questions in modern Thai history. Significant tensions have arisen from the efforts by members of the Thai elite to make the monarchical traditions of the Bangkok dynasty, Buddhism, and the central Thai language basic to Thai national culture. Other tensions have arisen as monarchy, military, bureaucracy, the Buddhist sangha, business interests, and elected political representatives assert or maintain an authoritative position in the state structure. This book examines these tensions with reference to the major changes that have taken place in Thai society, economy, polity, and culture in the twentieth century, especially since World War II.
Download or read book History of the Kingdom of Siam and of the Revolutions that Have Caused the Overthrow of the Empire Up to A D 1770 written by François Henri Turpin and published by . This book was released on 1908 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Description of the Thai Kingdom Or Siam written by Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 452 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Kingdom of Siam written by Forrest McGill and published by Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. This book was released on 2005-01-26 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents the latest scholarship on Thailand's historic kingdom of Ayutthaya - or "Siam," as it was know in the West
Download or read book The Kingdom and People of Siam written by John Bowring and published by . This book was released on 1857 with total page 494 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Thailand The Golden Kingdom written by William Warren and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2012-10-16 with total page 267 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With colorful, vivid photography and insightful commentary, this pictorial and Thailand travel guide offers readers a glimpse at a dynamic country and its people. Thailand has many claims on the title "Golden Kingdom." It is a country of shimmering wats, its monarchy is still deeply revered, and it exerts a magic all of its own. This travel book captures that magic with stunning photographs of all aspects of Thai life and makes an ideal souvenir for any visitor to the country. Included are sections on history and geography, as well as the cultural and religious heritage that is unique to Thailand. Sections on festivals and collectibles, and a portrayal of Thai-style art and architecture are full of detail. Thailand: The Golden Kingdom portrays both the Thai people and their beautiful home in a cornucopia of color and design. This volume is a stunning visual representation of all aspects of the Thai culture and life. Author and long-term resident William Warren, provides an insightful overview of the history and geography of the kingdom, as well as a detailed exploration of the rich tradition of Thai arts and crafts, religion and cultural events. Soaking up the sun on a beach, visiting a wat, partaking in one of the numerous festivals or browsing in the art and antique shops are all part of the essentially "Thai Experience" shared here.
Download or read book Woman between Two Kingdoms written by Leslie Castro-Woodhouse and published by Cornell University Press. This book was released on 2020-12-15 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Woman between Two Kingdoms explores the story of Dara Rasami, one of 153 wives of King Chulalongkorn of Siam during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Born in a kingdom near Siam called Lan Na, Dara served as both hostage and diplomat for her family and nation. Thought of as a harem by the West, Siam's Inner Palace actually formed a nexus between the domestic and the political. Dara's role as an ethnic Other among the royal concubines assisted the Siamese in both consolidating the kingdom's territory and building a local version of Europe's hierarchy of civilizations. Dara Rasami's story provides a fresh perspective on both the sociopolitical roles played by Siamese palace women, and Siam's response to the intense imperialist pressures it faced in the late nineteenth century. Thanks to generous funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, through The Sustainable History Monograph Pilot, the ebook editions of this book are available as Open Access volumes from Cornell Open (cornellpress.cornell.edu/cornell-open) and other repositories.
Download or read book The Crown and the Capitalists written by Wasana Wongsurawat and published by University of Washington Press. This book was released on 2019-11-18 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite competing with much larger imperialist neighbors in Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand—or Siam, as it was formerly known—has succeeded in transforming itself into a rival modern nation-state over the last two centuries. Recent historiography has placed progress—or lack thereof—toward Western-style liberal democracy at the center of Thailand’s narrative, but that view underestimates the importance of the colonial context. In particular, a long-standing relationship with China and the existence of a large and important Chinese diaspora within Thailand have shaped development at every stage. As the emerging nation struggled against colonial forces in Southeast Asia, ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs were neither a colonial force against whom Thainess was identified, nor had they been able to fully assimilate into Thai society. Wasana Wongsurawat demonstrates that the Kingdom of Thailand’s transformation into a modern nation-state required the creation of a national identity that justified not only the hegemonic rule of monarchy but also the involvement of the ethnic Chinese entrepreneurial class upon whom it depended. Her revisionist view traces the evolution of this codependent relationship through the twentieth century, as Thailand struggled against colonial forces in Southeast Asia, found itself an ally of Japan in World War II, and reconsidered its relationship with China in the postwar era.
Download or read book Du Royaume de Siam written by Simon de La Loubère and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Om Thailand i 1600-tallet
Download or read book Thailand Sketchbook written by Taveepong Limapornvanich and published by Editions Didier Millet. This book was released on 2002 with total page 98 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Culturally and geographically. Thailand is a kingdom of great diversity. Impressive monuments and romantic ruins mark the influences of long-gone empires. Intriguing archeological discoveries have been made in the northeast. Skilled artisans practise their crafts in the cool mountain regions of the north. The stunning scenery of the south forms a dramatic backdrop for its eventful history. Timeless vignettes of life on the klongs coexist with architectural masterpieces and busy market scenes in Bangkok. Artist Taveepong Limapornvanich truly captures the essence of Thailand in these watercolours and sketches. Writer William Warren succumbed to the allure of Thailand on his first visit and has lived there for over 40 years.
Download or read book A New Historical Relation of the Kingdom of Siam written by Simon de La Loubère and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book A Brief History of Thailand written by Richard A. Ruth and published by . This book was released on 2021-09-14 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Brief History of Thailand tells the vibrant story of Thailand's emergence--from its ancient beginnings to the present day. As the only Southeast Asian nation to escape European domination, Thailand has transformed from a traditional kingdom to democratic constitutional monarchy, along the way becoming an economic powerhouse in Southeast Asian affairs and dream travel destination. Told through an accessible narrative, this book covers Thailand's dramatic history, including: The true story of Anna Leonowens, the British governess hired to teach the children of King Mongkut in the early 1860s, later fictionalized in Margaret Landon's bestselling novel Anna and the King of Siam and turned into a hit Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The King and I The invasion of Thailand by the Japanese and construction of the "Bridge on the River Kwai" made famous by the Pierre Boulle 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 into a leading tourist mecca, which began during the Vietnam War when it was used as rowdy destination for American servicemen on breaks 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 The bloodless Siamese Revolution of 1932 that established the first constitutional monarchy in Asia overnight Author and historian Richard A. Ruth also explains how Thailand became the only country in Southeast Asia to resist European domination, how Thai Buddhism has wrought profound political and social changes, how Thai cuisine has conquered the world and, more recently, how the consequences of globalization and military rule continue to reshape Thai society. Written for anyone with an interest in history, travel or Thai culture, this latest book in the Brief History series will transport readers to faraway lands filled with fascinating stories.
Download or read book A History of Ayutthaya written by Chris Baker and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2017-05-11 with total page 345 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first full history of a great commercial and political center that rose in Asia over almost five centuries.
