A Kingdom in Crisis: Thailand's Struggle for Democracy in the Twenty-First Century (Asian Arguments) - Softcover

Andrew MacGregor Marshall

3.97

302 ratings by Goodreads

9781783600571: A Kingdom in Crisis: Thailand's Struggle for Democracy in the Twenty-First Century (Asian Arguments)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1783600578 ISBN 13: 9781783600571

Publisher: Zed Books Ltd, 2014

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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. Long dreaded by Thais, 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 analyzed, because Thailand's draconian l�se majest� law has silenced most discussion - until now. Breaking Thailand's draconian l�se majest� Andrew MacGregor Marshall is one of the only journalists covering contemporary Thailand who tells the whole story. He provides a comprehensive explanation that makes sense of the crisis for the first time, revealing the unacknowledged succession conflict that has become entangled with the struggle for democracy in Thailand.

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Review:

'An explosive analysis that lays bare what the Thai elite has 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 L�se-Majest�.

'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 Asian Godfathers and How Asia Works

'Andrew MacGregor Marshall has written perhaps the best introduction yet to the roots of Thailand's present political impasse, He explains how an aspect of the crisis whose importance many analysts in Thailand and overseas have an interest in minimising--the looming succession in the Thai royal family--is in fact central. A brilliant book that could perhaps have been written only by somebody who knows Thailand so well he knew he had to leave the country to write it.'
Simon Long, Banyan Columnist, The Economist

'Finally someone says the unsayable. A must-read for observers of Thai politics'
Pavin Chachavalpongpun, associate professor at Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

'A brilliant, incisive rewriting of Thailand's history and monarchy. An instant classic that promises to permanently change the conversation, both inside and outside the country.'
--Christine Gray, anthropologist and pioneering analyst of Thailand's monarchy

About the Author:

Andrew MacGregor Marshall is a journalist, political risk consultant and corporate investigator, focusing mainly on Southeast Asia. spent 17 years as a correspondent for Reuters, covering amongs others conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and political upheaval in Thailand. Marshall resigned from Reuters 2011 after the news agency refused to publish his analysis of leaked U.S. cables illuminating the role played by Thailand's monarchy in the political conflict that has engulfed the kingdom. A fugitive from Thai law as a result of his journalism about the royal family, he now lives in Singapore.

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