Since it was first published in 2005 A History of Thailand has been hailed as an
authoritative lively and readable account of Thailand's political economic social and
cultural history. From the early settlements in the Chao Phraya basin to today Baker and
Phongpaichit trace how a world of mandarin nobles and unfree peasants was transformed by
colonialism the expansion of the rice frontier and the immigration of traders and labourers
from southern China. They examine how the monarchy managed the foundation of a new nation-state
at the end of the 19th century and how urban nationalists ambitious generals communist rebels
and business politicians competed to take control through the 20th century. They track
Thailand's economic changes through the highs and lows of an economic boom globalization and
the evolution of mass society and draw on popular culture including the press novels songs
and film to dramatize social trends. This edition contains a new chapter on Thailand's
turbulent politics since 2006 - including the 2006 and 2014 coups the royal succession and
the 2019 election - and incorporates new sources and recent research throughout. Written in an
accessible style and drawing on a wide range of Thai and western sources A History of Thailand
is an essential resource for history students and enthusiasts alike--
