First published in 1963, Thailand offers a groundbreaking analysis of Marshal Sarit’s 1958 regime and its challenges. It explores Thailand’s key pillars—peasantry, Buddhism, and monarchy—providing nuanced insights from the author’s years in Southeast Asia.
First published in 1963, Thailand is a groundbreaking study of a nation rarely examined by Western historians. It offers the first analysis of the political and economic significance of Marshal Sarit’s regime, established in October 1958, and the challenges it faced. The book explores Thailand’s traditional pillars: a largely contented peasantry owning 80% of cultivated land, the profound influence of Buddhism, and widespread respect for authority, including the monarchy. Drawing on years of living in Bangkok and extensive travel across Southeast Asia, the author provides a nuanced and insightful perspective on the country’s social, political, and cultural dynamics.
