BOOK REVIEWS

Excerpts from reviews of the first edition

[T]his book offers a thorough, insightful and generally neutral chronicle of the evolution of Thailand and its political institutions from pre-1932 until today.  As such, it is outstanding and certainly deserves attention from readers interested in how Thailand’s past has influenced its present and possible future. Paul Chambers, Kyoto Journal of Southeast Asian Studies

Wise has written a book that aims to provide a readable introduction to Thai politics. It must be said he has succeeded admirably. Honed by years of drafting diplomatic cables, Wise writes lucidly and succinctly, distilling complexity with ease. He writes, as he says, as an interested bystander, rather than a scholar activist. Greg Raymond, New Mandala

The strength of this excellent book lies in its clear explanation of how the clash in modern Thai history between the values of the West and those of traditional Siam have shaped the particular character of Thailand’s hybrid political institutions…... Thailand: History, Politics and the Rule of Law is a well-written, well-argued and timely disquisition that should be read by everyone who has an interest in Thailand 's political history. James Stent, Bangkok Post

Wise combines his diplomatic experience with a solid understanding of the academic literature to produce a highly readable and lucid account of the development of the kingdom’s political, social and legal systems since the 19th century. In doing so, he is guided by the adage that to understand the present one must understand the past and the belief that Thailand must be judged on its own terms rather than by Western standards of governance. James A. Warren, Journal of the Siam Society

This study by James Wise provides an easy to read up-to-date account of Thailand’s political history…. The inclusion of several useful appendices makes the text accessible to any reader unfamiliar with Thailand. Peter Leyland, Australian Journal of Asian Law

An up-to-date, sharply-lucid introduction to the politics and government of Thailand—informed by the latest research, but designed for the general reader. Highlighting the role of monarchy and the army—and also Thai understandings of law, liberty and democracy—James Wise employs historical and cultural insights to explain this economically successful but often bewildering country. Anthony Milner, Former Basham Professor of Asian History, Australian National University

A sympathetic, balanced, and historically-informed guide to Thailand 's current political predicament. Wise draws on the latest scholarly literature and his own extensive diplomatic experience to portray an ancient country straining under attempts to preserve traditional legitimacy and growing demands for democratic accountability. Patrick Jory, Associate Professor in Southeast Asian History, University of Queensland

James Wise, a career diplomat and expert on matters related to Thailand, has authored an excellent and novel analysis of Thailand in terms of its history, politics, and the rule of law. Ukrist Pathamand, Pacific Affairs

A thoughtful account by a veteran diplomat and astute analyst. An essential read for anyone interested in one of Asia’s most intriguing conundrums: Thailand 's continuing defiance of economic and political gravity. By showing how history shaped contemporary Thai politics, this book sheds light on Thailand 's most critical challenge: recasting political governance in a new era. Gwen Robinson, Senior Fellow, Institute of Security and International Studies, Chulalongkorn University

An insightful analysis of Thai political history which views the complexities of modern Thailand from both a western and a Thai perspective. A significant contribution to Thai studies that is also very readable for both the student of Thailand and those with little prior knowledge of Thai ways. Robert Cooper, author of Culture Shock! Thailand

James Wise has done all of us a great service in dissecting Thai politics with a highly readable, scholarly, and intelligently presented work. He has a lot of ground to cover but adroitly manages it by possessing an expert’s eye, an astute insider’s take on all things political here and a wheelbarrow-load of academic and scholarly research. Leonard H. Le Blanc III, Expat Life in Thailand

31 August 2020
Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia
https://kyotoreview.org/issue-28/review-thailand-history-politics-and-the-rule-of-law/

2 June, 2020
New Mandala
https://www.newmandala.org/book-review/thailand-history-politics-and-the-rule-of-law-2019/

4 May, 2020
Journal of the Siam Society, Vol 108, No 1, pp 212-15
https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/pub_jss/article/view/241808/16444

11 May, 2019
Matichon Weekly (in Thai)
ฝรั่งเข้าใจการเมืองไทย(ไม่)ยาก : เจาะทัศนะ “เจมส์ ไวส์” อดีตเอกอัครราชทูตออสเตรเลีย ผ่านคำพูดและหนังสือเล่มแรก

12 July, 2019
Bangkok Post
Jim Stent, The roots of it all: A retired Australian diplomat provides a historical analysis of Thai politics

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