Book to understand Thai economy

If you want to understand the Thai economy you have to see it in the context of other Asian economies, those of SE Asia certainly, but also the more successful economies of NE Asia. There are two books by journalist Joe Studwell that are particularly useful for this purpose: the earlier "Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia" and his latest book, "How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World's Most Dynamic Region." If you wondered how Korea, which was poorer than Thailand in 1960, managed to achieve a per capita GDP three times that of Thailand by 2012, "How Asia Works" makes it pretty clear.

These are excellent and readable books for those interested in having a grasp of the economic history of the region. Highly recommended.