Description
A Plastic Nation examines the role of Thai nationhood in domestic and international politics. Although in fact ill-defined, Thainess, or khwampenthai, has been consistently used by Thai leaders to legitimize their power and defend their economic interests. Not only has the assertion of Thainess been deeply rooted in the private interests of those in power, it has been deployed as part of nationalist sentiment to guard against any international norms, often considered as threats to the leaders' own interests. This book is intended for students and professors in the field of Thai nationhood and nationalism, contemporary Thai-Burmese relations, and policy practitioners in the government and military
About the Author
Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a Singapore-based Thai academic, independent writer, and a visiting lecturer at various Thai universities. He received his Ph.D. in Political Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
Reviews
In many ways this is an interesting book presenting a fresh perspective on Thai-Myanmar relations that should attract wide readership from scholars who work on Thailand and Myanmar...Pavin has displayed great courage in publishing this bookkkkk -- N. Ganesan * Contemporary Southeast Asia *
...presents his argument very well, and anyone interested in the evolution of Thai nationhood-and how and why Thai perceptions of "the Burmese threat" have changed since the 1950s and 1960s-should read this book. -- Bertil Lintner * The Irrawaddy Online Edition *
Despite the problematic analyses of norms and nationhood, the book provides an interesting look at Thai perceptions of the country's historical arch-rival and the domestic discourses related to the current policies and relationship with Burma. It tells many interesting stories of the relationship that are illuminating beyond the issue of Thainess. -- Thongchai Winichakul * Pacific Affairs *
In many ways this is an interesting book presenting a fresh perspective on Thai-Myanmar relations that should attract wide readership from scholars who work on Thailand and Myanmar...Pavin has displayed great courage in publishing this book -- N. Ganesan * Contemporary Southeast Asia *
Book Information
ISBN 9780761831525
Author Pavin Chachavalpongpun
Format Paperback
Page Count 206
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 304g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 154mm * 18mm
About the Author
Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a Singapore-based Thai academic, independent writer, and a visiting lecturer at various Thai universities. He received his Ph.D. in Political Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
Reviews
In many ways this is an interesting book presenting a fresh perspective on Thai-Myanmar relations that should attract wide readership from scholars who work on Thailand and Myanmar...Pavin has displayed great courage in publishing this bookkkkk -- N. Ganesan * Contemporary Southeast Asia *
...presents his argument very well, and anyone interested in the evolution of Thai nationhood-and how and why Thai perceptions of "the Burmese threat" have changed since the 1950s and 1960s-should read this book. -- Bertil Lintner * The Irrawaddy Online Edition *
Despite the problematic analyses of norms and nationhood, the book provides an interesting look at Thai perceptions of the country's historical arch-rival and the domestic discourses related to the current policies and relationship with Burma. It tells many interesting stories of the relationship that are illuminating beyond the issue of Thainess. -- Thongchai Winichakul * Pacific Affairs *
In many ways this is an interesting book presenting a fresh perspective on Thai-Myanmar relations that should attract wide readership from scholars who work on Thailand and Myanmar...Pavin has displayed great courage in publishing this book -- N. Ganesan * Contemporary Southeast Asia *
Book Information
ISBN 9780761831525
Author Pavin Chachavalpongpun
Format Paperback
Page Count 206
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 304g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 154mm * 18mm
