Books: A fresh take on the history of Thailand

Authors of acclaimed book put recent events in historical context

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Anti-government protesters in Bangkok in January 2014: Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit's newly revised "A History of Thailand" is an essential reference work for all. © Reuters

JAMES WISE, Contributing writer

For almost two decades, Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit's "A History of Thailand" has been a compass for anyone trying to navigate Thailand's mystifying politics, equivocal foreign policy, and trapped-tiger economy. The new edition confirms that no authors are better credentialed to explain Thailand to general readers and specialists alike.

Indeed, the book shows off what the citation for the authors' prestigious Fukuoka Grand Prize called "their analytical scope to include not only politics and economics but also a comprehensive and multi-faceted examination of aspects of society and culture, extending even to popular sets of values."

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