'Perhaps the best introduction yet to the roots of Thailand's present political impasse. A brilliant book.'
Simon Long, The Economist Struggling to emerge from a despotic past, and convulsed by an intractable conflict that will determine its future, Thailand stands at a defining moment in its history. Scores have been killed on the streets of Bangkok. Freedom of speech is routinely denied. Democracy appears increasingly distant. And many Thais fear that the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej is expected to unleash even greater instability. Yet in spite of the impact of the crisis, and the extraordinary importance of the royal succession, they have never been comprehensively analysed - until now. Breaking Thailand's draconian l se majest law, Andrew MacGregor Marshall is one of the only journalists covering contemporary Thailand to tell the whole story. Marshall provides a comprehensive explanation that for the first time makes sense of the crisis, revealing the unacknowledged succession conflict that has become entangled with the struggle for democracy in Thailand.
Struggling to emerge from a despotic past, Thailand stands at a defining moment in its history. While scores of citizens have been killed on the streets of Bangkok and freedom of speech continues to be routinely denied, democracy appears like an increasingly distant idea. And many fear that the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej may unleash even greater instability. Due to Thailand's draconian lese majest law, which prohibits anyone from questioning the royal family, no one has been willing to offer a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the country--until now. Going against the law, Andrew MacGregor Marshall is one of the only journalists covering contemporary Thailand to tell the whole story. In Kingdom in Crisis he provides thorough background on Thailand today, revealing the unacknowledged succession conflict that has become entangled with the struggle for democracy in Thailand "An explosive analysis that lays bare what the Thai elite have tried to keep hidden for decades. A clear-eyed view of what is really at stake in Thailand's continuing turmoil."--David Streckfuss, author of Truth on Trial in Thailand: Defamation, Treason, and L se-Majest "A timely and highly readable account of the grim political reality of the Land of Smiles. An essential primer for every visitor." --Joe Studwell, author of How Asia Works

Struggling to emerge from a despotic past, Thailand