The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej
Product Details | Similar Products | Customer Reviews | Author: Paul M. Handley List Price: $39.95 Our Price: $26.37 You Save: $13.58 (34%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours  |
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 | Product Details: Hardcover 512 pages Release Date: 28 July 2006 Publisher: Yale University Press ISBN: 0300106823 Rating:   Sales Rank: 137630 | | Look for similar books by subject:
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| | Customer Reviews: What really lies behind the Thai Monarchy (24 June 2010)For anyone who has been to Thailand, the public veneration of the current King, Rama IX, comes as quite a surprise. King Bhumibol has done much good, that is readily acknowledged within this book, however, he is an adroit reader of Thailand's political landscape and made sure that he is always aligned (in a non public manner) with the party that shall ensure that the monarchy is maintained in its positive light. The book reads as an objective study of the current monarchy and although it may upset some (in particular Thais) with its findings, for anyone with an interest in Thailand it is well worth reading, along with the "Revoluntionary King" by William Stevenson. DENSE but revealing. (05 May 2010)I took a trip to Thailand and was appalled at what I saw, from the filth and smut to the rampant corruption, prostitution, and hideous architecture. And through it all was the ever-present face of THE KING, hundreds of feet tall on skyscrapers, in subways, on office buildings, billboards...everywhere. Say anything critical of him and you're in big trouble. So my question going into this book was: How much is the King responsible for the Thailand that I experienced? For the innumerable narratives of abuse and extortion at the hands of government officials and one of the world's most deplorable legal systems? My answer after reading much of this book is that the King, even if not directly responsible for all that is foul in Thailand, is just a huge power player in the utterly fragmented, rudderless, and byzantine world of this Southeast Asian power. His throne and the hold in which it has over his people, would seem anything but democratic -- as the king himself, in his own words, does not truly believe in that that concept. I think we are seeing that play out to this day. Like all monarchs, the takeaway is that he is interested in retaining the power of the throne at all costs, and then implementing public works as a "gift" to his people. It's like entering the middle ages. Most fascinating and dizzying of all is that this is all perpetrated in the name of Buddhism, of creating a community of well being and dharma for an entire society. This is one of the most indicting statements I have ever heard against Buddhist precepts, and shows how that religion just like any other can be manipulated for the retention of power by a monarchy. It's actually quite a straightforward story that's played itself over time and again in human history, but the Buddhist and particularly the Hindu notions of royalty give this chapter in human domination a mephitic whiff all of its own. My hat's off to Handley for describing much of this insanely complex power brokering from its origins, but in its play-by=play analysis the book cannot help but be a dense, tiresome slog. But the question remains -- without the King, would Thailand look something more like Burma or Cambodia? A scary thought to be sure. Amazingly Honest History of a Little Known Monarch (26 April 2010)I always get goose bumps when I go to see a movie in Thailand and everyone stands up to show respect to their king before each movie is started. They usually show a life sketch of the King. It is impossible to obtain information that this author has provided in Thailand because of the Les Majestre laws in Thailand that prevent anyone from speaking poorly about the King or speaking about him period. The author is probably not welcome in Thailand any more for his contributions in this book. Thais literally worship the King as a deity. I found this book to be the most honest and detailed book I have ever read about Thailand's longest reigning monarch. This book even explains why Thailand is having the issues they currently are having based on their cultural traditions and beliefs. This was an amazing book and anyone that has ever wanted to know more about Thailand and all the secrets Thais themselves cannot tell you even if they knew, are found in this book. I have studied Thai history and culture for more than 20 years and have spent many years in Thailand. This book opened my eyes!!! Great insight into the Royal history of Thailand (30 June 2009)This book is well written, not boring. Gives real insight into the politics and problems of keeping power in Thailand. For those interested in the History of Thailand this is a must read. Masterful as biography AND propaganda study (14 April 2009)Having lived in Thailand for two lengthy periods since 1965, I knew some of the basics. Mr. Handley has filled in details in highly credible fashion and produced as complete a picture of not only the monarchy but Thai politics as I have seen anywhere. The book is especially good on the ways that much of the belief system of ordinary Thais has been constructed for them by the palace and other royalist institutions and individuals. It's no wonder that North Korea's Kim Jong Il, himself no slouch as a propagandist, has pointed to the Thai system as one of the few foreign models he admires. -Bradley K. Martin, author of Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty | |
