"Thailand:
Economy and Politics" by P. Phongpaichit and C. Baker, 1995. Available at Asia Books and other bookstores
throughout Bangkok.
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"Thailand:
Economy and Politics"
An excellent overall study of Thailand's
political and economic history. This book provides contextual information about the
changes in society, politics and the economy during the last two hundred years in
Thailand. Although its format makes for sometimes repetitive reading, the emphasis on the
fact that Thailand has changed drastically in what is a relatively short period of time,
provides a backdrop of understanding to a country with a strong mythological character to
its history. This is not the history of the elites, nor the view of a rural idyll many
social commentators refer to even now. A powerful study - well worth reading. |
"Capital
Accumulation in Thailand: 1855-1985" by S. Akira. Available at Asia Books and other bookstores
throughout Bangkok.
Out of
print, but Amazon.com can try to get this book for you too!
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"Capital
Accumulation in Thailand: 1855-1985"
A fascinating insight into the evolution of the
current economically-powerful sectors operating in Thailand. The title suggests a dry
read, and it is highly academic. The text is clearly written, however, and like "
Thailand: Economy and Politics", this book provides a context for understanding
modern Thailand by providing a framework for viewing the changes experienced during the
last 150 years. |
"Corruption and Democracy in Thailand" by P. Phongpaichit
and S. Piriyayangsan, 1994. Available at Asia Books
and other bookstores
throughout Bangkok.
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"Corruption &
Democracy in Thailand"
Sorry!
We're still reading this one. Check back later
for a full review, or email us with your own review and we'll post it up here (with due
credit of course). |
"The
Balancing Act: A History of Modern Thailand" by J. Wright Jr, 1991. Available at Asia Books and other bookstores
throughout Bangkok.
Out of
print, but Amazon.com can try to get this book for you too!
|
"The Balancing
Act: A History of Modern Thailand"
"The Balancing Act" provides a
history of the changing elites of Thailand and uses this to explain political change since
the 1932 establishment of a constitutional monarchy. Fascinating reading, and a good way
to familiarise oneself with the complex changes in government and power structures in the
country. This does not, however, cover much of the social change, nor provide many
insights into how politics has affected the ordinary people of Thailand. |
"The
Southern Expansion of the Chinese People" by C. FitzGerald, 1972. Available
at Asia Books and
other bookstores
throughout Bangkok.
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"The Southern Expansion of the
Chinese People"
Although this book does not focus on Thailand, its
discussion of the movement of the Chinese people through Southeast Asia provides insights
into and a historical context for the economically and politically important Chinese
community in Thailand. |
"Power and Culture: the
Struggle Against Poverty in Thailand" by E. Gohlert, 1991. Available at Asia Books and other bookstores
throughout Bangkok.
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"Power and Culture: the Struggle
Against Poverty in Thailand"
Ernst Gohlert's many visits to Thailand have provided
him with an insight into the alternative development movements and organisations working
here. His perspective focuses on the need for poor communities to develop self-reliance,
in a similar fashion to Schumacher's "Small is Beautiful" philosophy. There are
examples of communities and leaders in Thailand which have been successful in moving away
from mainstream development towards more community-focused development.
Well-written and interesting, it provides many hopeful
examples for those looking for alternatives to mainstream development ideas.
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