Thailand’s politics has been contentious in recent years. With a military coup in 2006 and another in 2014, the country has moved from being a promising electoral democracy to a military dictatorship. Electoral politics was embraced enthusiastically by some groups, including those in rural areas of the north and northeast, but came to be feared by groups variously identified as the old elite, royalists and the establishment. The transition to authoritarianism saw large and lengthy street protests and considerable violence. This book examines the background to and the sources of conflict and the turn to authoritarianism. It addresses: the return of the military to political centre stage; the monarchy’s pivotal role in opposing electoral democracy; the manner in which sections of civil society have rejected electoral politics; and the rise of powerful non-elected bodies such as the Constitutional Court. In examining Thailand’s authoritarianism, attention is also given to how income and wealth inequality may motivate political outcomes and also to the ways in which the military and the old elite have attempted to establish a "Thai-style democracy" that disenfranchises the majority. This book was previously published as a special issue of Journal of Contemporary Asia.

About the Author

Kevin Hewison is Emeritus Professor in Asian Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Visiting Professor at the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya. He is the author of more than 200 publications of politics, development and labour issues in Thailand and on Southeast Asia.

Veerayooth Kanchoochat is Assistant Professor of Political Economy at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS, Tokyo). He holds an MPhil and PhD from the University of Cambridge. His main research interests are in comparative economic and political development, with a focus on Thailand and newly industrialising economies in East and Southeast Asia.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

I mainly carry imported books from South East Asia / South Asia for readers of all Age Groups.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

PLETOS INC
6931 51st Avenue, WOODSIDE, Woodside, NY, 11377, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We accept return for those books which are received damaged. Though we take appropriate care in packing to avoid such situation.

Shipping Terms

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	12 to 19 business days	12 to 14 business days
First item	US$ 3.99	US$ 6.99

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.