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 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 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 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 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand written by Pradésa Dai and published by . This book was released on 1959 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
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 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 Royal Capitalism written by Puangchon Unchanam and published by . This book was released on 2020-01-14 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Classical theorists once predicted that monarchy must eventually give way to capitalism. But is monarchy really dead--an archaic institution from the feudal past? In Royal Capitalism: The Monarchy, Wealth, and Social Classes in Thailand, Puangchon Unchanam examines one particularly successful monarchy: that of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej or Rama IX, whose seven-decade reign not only survived but thrived amid the country's transition to industrial capitalism. Indeed, the Thai crown's active role in national politics, the market economy, and popular culture has made it not only the dominant institution in the kingdom, but also the wealthiest monarchy in the world today. Tracing Rama IX's reign (1946-2016), Puangchon shows how the Thai crown was transformed into a 'bourgeois monarchy,' distinctive in several key ways. Rather than representing only royal and religious values, the monarchy rebranded itself by embracing the traditional middle-class ethic of hard work, frugality, and self-sufficiency. Rather than only relying upon coercion, the crown sought political legitimacy. And rather than simply controlling national assets, the crown became the country's major broker, connecting business elites, patronizing their industries, and partnering with giant corporations. Thanks to these distinctive features that it has recently embodied, the Thai monarchy enjoys hegemonic status in the capitalist state, preeminent status in the market, and popular support from the urban bourgeoisie"
Download or read book Presenting Thailand written by John Hoskin and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John Hoskin's informative and entertaining text and Mark Standen's distinctive and sympathetic photographs present a wide-ranging introduction to the Kingdom in all its aspects, geography, history, people, religion, art, culture, and cuisine.The main text is accompanied by sidebars and box stories which are used to highlight details, provide anecdotal information, and give a lively and reader-friendly look to the book.An introduction, giving an overview of Thailand, its location, climate, diversity and all its essential characteristics is followed by 5 regional chapters: Bangkok: City of Angels; Beaches and Islands: Coastal and Southern Thailand; Historical Heartland: The Central Plains; Into the Hills: Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand; and Traditional Thailand: The
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 Thailand s Theory of Monarchy written by Patrick Jory and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2016-05-09 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 2016 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Since the 2006 coup d'état, Thailand has been riven by two opposing political visions: one which aspires to a modern democracy and the rule of law, and another which holds to the traditional conception of a kingdom ruled by an exemplary Buddhist monarch. Thailand has one of the world's largest populations of observant Buddhists and one of its last politically active monarchies. This book examines the Theravada Buddhist foundations of Thailand's longstanding institution of monarchy. Patrick Jory states that the storehouse of monarchical ideology is to be found in the popular literary genre known as the Jātakas, tales of the Buddha's past lives. The best-known of these, the Vessantara Jātaka, disseminated an ideal of an infinitely generous prince as a bodhisatta or future Buddha—an ideal which remains influential in Thailand today. Using primary and secondary source materials largely unknown in Western scholarship, Jory traces the history of the Vessantara Jātaka and its political-cultural importance from the ancient to the modern period. Although pressures from European colonial powers and Buddhist reformers led eventually to a revised political conception of the monarchy, the older Buddhist ideal of kingship has yet endured.
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 written by William Warren and published by Olympic Marketing Corporation. This book was released on 1987 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
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 History of Thailand written by Christopher John Baker and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2014-05-30 with total page 345 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book The Kingdom of Thailand Land of the Free written by FIRST NATIONAL CITY BANK OF NEW YORK. and published by . This book was released on 1968 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
