Synopses & Reviews
Struggling to emerge from a despotic past, Thailand stands at a defining moment in its history. While scores of citizens have been killed on the streets of Bangkok and freedom of speech continues to be routinely denied, democracy appears like an increasingly distant idea. And many fear that the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej may unleash even greater instability. Due to Thailand’s draconian
lese majesté law, which prohibits anyone from questioning the royal family, no one has been willing to offer a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the country—until now. Going against the law, Andrew MacGregor Marshall is one of the only journalists covering contemporary Thailand to tell the whole story. In
Kingdom in Crisis he provides thorough background on Thailand today, revealing the unacknowledged succession conflict that has become entangled with the struggle for democracy in Thailand
“An explosive analysis that lays bare what the Thai elite have tried to keep hidden for decades. A clear-eyed view of what is really at stake in Thailand’s continuing turmoil.”—David Streckfuss, author of Truth on Trial in Thailand: Defamation, Treason, and Lèse-Majesté
“A timely and highly readable account of the grim political reality of the Land of Smiles. An essential primer for every visitor.” —Joe Studwell, author of How Asia Works
Synopsis
'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 l se majest 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.
About the Author
Andrew MacGregor Marshall is a journalist, political risk consultant, and corporate investigator, focusing mainly on Southeast Asia. A fugitive from Thai law as a result of his journalism about the royal family, he now lives in Phnom Penh.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Telling the truth about Thailand
Part I: Royalty versus reality
1. 'When the legends die, all collapses' - Thailand's political awakening
2. 'In a never-never land, never mind' - Welcome to the Land of Smiles
3. 'Cosmological bluster' - The dramatics of despotism
Part II: Thai-style democracy and its discontents
4. 'Our country belongs to the people - not to the king' - Thailand's unfinished revolution
5. 'I really am an elected king' - The royalist revival
6. 'There is magic, goodness and power in his heart' - The deification of Rama IX
Part III: The secrets of succession
7. 'Endless struggles for the throne' - The causes of chronic palace conflict
8. 'One neither walks, speaks, drinks, eats, nor cooks without some kind of ceremony' - The pleasures and privations of being king
9. 'I cannot afford to die' - The tragedy of King Bhumibol
Part IV: Crisis and confrontation
10. 'Living in horrifying times' - Twilight of the oligarchy
11. 'Coupmakers' haunted dreams' - Escalation and enlightenment
12. 'Returning happiness to the people' - Denying democracy, sabotaging succession
Epilogue: 'Flip on the lights and flush out the ghosts' - What the future holds