ABSTRACT

The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Thailand is a timely survey and assessment of the state of contemporary Thailand. While Thailand has changed much in the past decades, this handbook proposes that many of its problems have remained intact or even persistent, particularly problems related to domestic politics. It underlines emerging issues at this critical juncture in the kingdom and focuses on the history, politics, economy, society, culture, religion and international relations of the country.

A multidisciplinary approach, with chapters written by experts on Thailand, this handbook is divided into the following sections.

  • History
  • Political and economic landscape
  • Social development
  • International relations

Designed for academics, students, libraries, policymakers and general readers in the field of Asian studies, political science, economics and sociology, this invaluable reference work provides an up-to-date account of Thailand and initiates new discussion for future research activities.

part I|51 pages

The history

chapter 1|12 pages

Introduction

A timeless Thailand

chapter 3|10 pages

Thai historiography

part II|185 pages

The political and economic landscape

chapter 5|16 pages

The two faces of democracy

chapter 7|16 pages

The development of the hybrid regime

The military and authoritarian persistence in Thai politics

chapter 8|16 pages

Securing an alternative army

The evolution of the Royal Thai Police 1

chapter 9|16 pages

The monarchy and succession 1

chapter 11|11 pages

From the Yellow Shirts to the whistle rebels

Comparative analysis of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)

chapter 18|12 pages

Transport and the Thai state

part III|155 pages

The social development

chapter 21|10 pages

Buddhism and power

chapter 23|14 pages

The southern conflict

chapter 27|13 pages

Sex and gender diversity

chapter 28|13 pages

The social media

chapter 30|15 pages

Environmental politics in Thailand

Pasts, presents, and futures

part IV|52 pages

The international relations

chapter 31|11 pages

Thailand’s foreign policy

chapter 32|12 pages

Beyond bamboo diplomacy

The factor of status anxiety and Thai foreign policy behaviours

chapter 33|11 pages

Thailand and the Great Powers