Thailand - (Studies on Southeast Asia) by Thak Chaloemtiarana (Hardcover)

About the Book

In 1958, Marshal Sarit Thanarat became prime minister of Thailand following a bloodless coup. This book offers a comprehensive study of Sarit's paternalistic, militaristic regime, which laid the foundations for Thailand's support of the US military campaign in Southeast Asia. The analysis documents the ways in which Sarit shaped modern Thai...

Book Synopsis

In 1958, Marshal Sarit Thanarat became prime minister of Thailand following a bloodless coup. This book offers a comprehensive study of Sarit's paternalistic, militaristic regime, which laid the foundations for Thailand's support of the US military campaign in Southeast Asia. The analysis documents the ways in which Sarit shaped modern Thai politics, in part by rationalizing a symbiotic relationship between his own office and the Thai monarchy.

Review Quotes

This book was written more than thirty years ago and has recently been reissued--In some ways this book is more relevant in the light of recent events.

-- "Asian Affairs"

About the Author

Thak Chaloemtiarana is retired from the Department of Asian Studies, and as Director of the Southeast Asia Program in 2010. He retains appointments in the Graduate School in the fields of Asian literature, religion and culture, and Asian Studies. He continues to serve on graduate student committees and teaches the Thailand country seminar with Professor Tamara Loos.