A Kingdom in Crisis: Royal Succession and the Struggle for Democracy in 21st Century Thailand

Description

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 majesté 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 Lèse-Majesté   “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