20th Century Thai politics. Recommended reading.

I see a lot of TV members are apoplectic with the current Thai political situation and the most recent coup d'etat.

Whether you support the coup, despise it or are confused by it all, consider being armed with a better understanding of 20th century Thai political history before you compose your next TV diatribe.

Here is a list of the last 5 chapters of "A History of Thailand", Baker and Phonpaichit, 2005, Cambridge University Press.

5. Nationalisms, 1910s-1940's

6. The American Era and Development, 1940s to 1960s

7. Ideologies, 1940s to 1970s

8. Globalization and Mass Society, 1970s Onward

9. Politics, 1970s Onward (up to Thaksin's first term as PM)

You can find this book in the Fact-is-stranger-than-fiction department. It's a short book, easy reading even for bar-stool pundits. Highly recommended.

-NG