From the latest edition of the Economist, and quite accurate in its grasp of detail:

http://www.economist.co.uk/people/displayS...tory_id=2329646

This is what really happened in the late 1970s when Thailand was the next domino.

davidm

That was an excellent obit and very informative. Does anyone have recommendations about sources of good, readable history of Siam/Thailand? I am a history buff, a bit less so when it comes to politics, but I do want to get a feel for what has happened and how Thailand has become what it is today.

I am also especially interested in Thailand history during World War II, if anyone has recommendations for books dealing with that period.

Jeepz

The Thai Resistance Movement During the Second World war by John B.Haseman,printed by Chalermnit Press,108 Suk,rd Bangkok has a good breakdown on what went on during those lazy,hazy days when the Japs did-did not invade LOS.

All your favourite characters like Pridi Panomyong,Phibun Songkhram(puppet or not-you decide)Pol.Gen.Adun Adundecharat as well as the TRMs Phai Nai Prathet and the "falangs" Phai Nok Prathet.

US and Brit intelligence in a bundle running the show as well as indept detals on Pridi and Seni Pramojs "Seri Thai" Political impact.

not bad for 80 bt from Asia Books

also enjoy some the the stuff by Duncan Stern who wites in lots of local "rags"

P.n-Pat Trader ec.

Thailand: A short History David K Wyatt Thai Wattana Panich Yale University Press It also details other suggested readings.

Thanks guys! I have them dialed in and will get a copy of each shortly.

Jeepz

If you have a couple of days to spare, take a trip to Kanchanaburi and visit the new museum by the main cemetery. Ask for Rod Beattie. Rod built this museum and was largely responsible for the one at Hellfire Pass. The man probably knows more about what happened in this part of the world than anyone else you are likely to meet. Even the DoE has a very high opinion of what Rod has done and paid him a private visit when QEII last visited Thailand.

davidm thanks for the update on Rod Beatties whereabouts. Stored somewhere I have a couple of videos produced during the establishment of "Hellfire Park" museum one featuring Rod in the wild!

DVA =AWGC were not forthcoming on his new location when Terry Beaton and spouse took up the reins at HFP.

I will make a note in my diary for a trip to visit Rod - as you say a good person to talk to on or about that neck of the woods.

Mijan24

A great guy is Rod Beattie. I agree ...he knows more than most of the happenings around Kanchanaburi ...well worth the visit.

I've got nothing against Terry, but he's a political appointee who had zero to do with the creation of the Hellfire Pass museum and the clearing of the trail beyond the pass. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and others treated Rod shamefully.

Now, Rod's got problems with tour operators who'd rather steer tourists to the crappy JEATH museum and have boycotted his establishment.

Anyway, now you know where to go.

Political appointment ?

By the AWGC who thought Rod was much too independent and outspoken.

By the AWGC who thought Rod was much too independent and outspoken.

Is this the conclusion of the local tour operators too ? I know and like Rod so it is an innocent question.

Local tour operators would be perfectly content to ferry coach loads of Japanese tourists to the bridge to have their photos taken and buy tacky souvenirs. Intensive tours of historic sites are not their forte. Thais are not the most clued up folk on earth when it comes to history and even those that do know a bit couldn't give a flying french <deleted> about the POWs or Asian slave labourers.

Rod would be an awkward reminder of the truth - let's not forget the Thais behaved atrociously to the POWs - and that would have figured in the AWGC's decision. That said, most tour operators probably don't even know who he is, so the AWGC was overreacting.

davidm & Dr PP yes Terry PolAppt) exduntroon and ex 3 year stint at the Armed Forces Rebuild Workshop Rangsit speaks excellent Thai (about 5 dialects) he resigned about 6 months ago, he along with partner Sheila (name not slang) returned to Australia.

AWGC second in charge at the time (now the boss) had his nose out of joint with Rod - I suspect they wanted a yes sir no sir three bags full - and ready to kowtow too.

Mijan24