"A very readable account. . . . We come away from reading it with a clearer understanding of where Thailand stands in relation to its neighbors, who the Thai people are, how the Thai government evolved into its present form."--James Stent, Asian Wall Street Journal
Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-333) and index
The beginnings of Tai history -- Tai and the classical empires -- A Tai century, 1219-1350 -- Ayutthaya and its neighbors, 1351-1569 -- The empire of Ayutthaya, 1569-1767 -- The early Bangkok Empire, 1767-1851 -- Mongkut and Chulalongkorn, 1851-1910 -- The rise of elite nationalism, 1910-1932 -- The military ascendant, 1932-1957 -- Development and revolution, 1957-1982 -- Fresh starts, 1976-2002