A Kingdom in Crisis

234  A KINGDOM IN CRISIS history, 27; reputation, 19; Chiang Mai, 51; kingdom, 49; residencies choice, 134;‘Royal province uprisings, 118 Projects’, 83; 72nd birthday, 102; Siriraj Hospital stay, 23–4, 187; China, 185 Suchinda support, 90;Thaksin Chinese Thai business elite, 135, 155 dislike, 156–7; 2007 stroke, 171; Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, 204 2010 massacre non-action, Chitralada Palace, 85, 134 22; USA media reverence, 33; Chula Chakrabongse, 11, 60 water management interest, 99; Chulabhorn, Princess, 139, 204, 219 wealth of, 150 Chulalongkorn (Rama V), reign Bhumjai Thai Party, 195, 196 Bishop, Ryan, 39 of, 32, 66–7, 74, 212; centralizing Black May 1992, 95, 99 monarch, 129; modernizing Bolton, Gary, 179 reforms, 65; peasant uprisings, Boonsam Watanapanee, 40 118; wives of, 64 Borwornsak Uwanno, 32 Chumbhot, Prince, 132–3 Bowring, John, 63 Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, 176 Boyce, Ralph ‘Skip’, 18–19, 24, civil war prevemtion, 2014 coup 149, 154, 156, 162, 168–9, 171 rationalization, 183 Boyle, Peter, 15 colonialism, 61 Britain, 33; Siam as Empire rice Communist Party of Thailand, 82 depot, 63 Connors, Michael, 101, 164 Buddhism, 29; elite use of, 110; constitution(s): 1932, 71–2; kingship, 48 November 1949, 78; 1997, Bun Kwang, holy man, 118 100–1; draft 2007, 170; draft Bunnag clan, 116, 128 2015, 207; people’s, 101, 143 Burma, 34; military, 119;Thai Constitutional Court, 164; elected invasion, 127 government undermining, 202, Cairo, 215 204 Cambodia, 34 corruption, 41, 185, 198; Sarit Campaign for Popular Democracy, period, 81 95 ‘Council for Democratic Reform’, Chai-anan Samudavanija, 82 166 Chairat Charoensin-o-larn, 213 coups d’état: June 1932, 69–70; Chakri dynasty, 1, 11, 55, 127 1947, 132; 1957, 135; 1991, 89, 94; Chamlong Srimuang, 89–90, 96, 2006, 1, 2, 166, 167; 2008 ‘silent’, 161 182; 2014 military, 206 Chao Phraya river, 18, 23 Credit Suisse, research report, 214 Chatichai Choonhavan, 94 Criminal Code, Section 112, 197 cheap labour,Thai dependence crony capitalism, 101 on, 151 Crown Property Bureau, 81, 92, 101–2, 135; favouritism, 212; fortune of, 220; overleveraged, 152

Index  235 cut-price nirvana,Thailand as, 35 ‘Father of the Nation’, ideology De Coutre, Jacques, 52–3 of, 32 democracy:‘Thai-style’, 91–2, Ferrara, Federico, 72 102; elitist view of, 71; 1947 floods 2011, 196 overthrow, 77 foreign journalists, 8; Foreign Democrat Party, 78, 108, 133, 158, 162, 171, 174, 186–7, 195–6, 198, Correspondents Club of Hong 201, 203; royalist, 77 Kong, 108 Department of Intellectual Fuller,Thomas, 2 Property, 39 funeral protests, 14 Department of Special Geertz, Clifford, 52 Investigation, 199 Gervaise, Nicolas, 125 devaraja cult belief, 64 golf, 69 Dhani Nivat, Prince, 29 32 Good, Paul, 34 ‘great Lineage Dipangkorn, Prince, 173 history’, 48 Dipangkorn Wathcharothai, 180 Green Left Weekly, 15 Dubai,Thaksin in, 189 Grow, Mary Louise, 126 Dusit Thani miniature city, 68 GT200, 179 Ekachai Hongkangwan, 6 Handley, Paul, 2, 86, 100, 135–6, Ekkathat, King, 119 139–40, 156 elections: Election Commission, Hashimoto, Ryutaro, 142 204; electoral politics, 156; Heine-Geldern, Robert, 111 indefinite suspension of, 1970s, hereditary succession; systems of, 84; voting prevention, 183 47; tensions, 112 elite/ruling class, 1–2, 4, 23, 36; hill communities, SE Asia, anti-democratic, 90; anti- 45–6 Thaksin obsession, 3; history Hinduism: devaraja god-king, shaping, 30; hysteria, 148; intra- 47; elite use, 110 conflict, 93, 111, 135; linguistic Hobsbawm, Eric, 48 ‘hot money’ domination, 149–50; monarchy outflow, 101 tensions, 115; motivations Hua Hin resort, 59, 69;‘Far from and behaviour, 8; oppressive Worries’ villa, 134, 144, 162 influence of, 38; royalist fables, Human Rights Watch, 192–4 40; self-legitimizing ideologies, IMF (International Monetary 110; theatrics use, 43, 62; Fund), 155 ungovernability strategy, 203–7; independent media, 2014 version of reality, 5, 7; violent shutdown, 183 hegemony, 118 India, British, 65 Englehart, Neil, 46 Internal Security Operations Erawan Shrine, battering of, 147 Command (ISOC), 83–4, 87,

236  A KINGDOM IN CRISIS 168, 170; voter intimidation, penalties for, 91; strategically 195 arbitrary, 37 Isaan region, secession talk, 214; Leonowens,Anna, 63, uprisings, 11 Levin, Sherry, 40 Iyer, Pico, 35 Loos,Tamara, 126 Jackson, Peter, 38, 41, 62–3, 218 Lumphini Park,Thaksin, secret Japan: factions, 116;Thailand militia, 192 invasion, 75;Vajiralongkorn Mahajanaka, Jataka story, 153 state visit, 140 Malay Muslim, southern Thailand, Jataka tales, 48 82; community insurgency, 214 Java, Dutch, 65 Malinowski, Bronislaw, 29–30 John, Eric, 171, 185, 188, 214 Manchester City FC, 169 Johnson,Alexis, 80 mandala states, 49–50, 113, 111–8 Jory, Patrick, 48 Mandalay, 65 journalists: May 2014 arrests, 183; Marquez, Xavier, 91 monarchy evasion, 6 massacres: 96; 1973, 85; October judiciary, 176, 188–9, 196 1976 Thammasat University, Junya ‘Lek’Yimprasert’, 27 13, 87, 91, 136–7, 191, 218; 2010, karma and rebirth, 47; monarchy 11–12, 22–3 ideology, 29 McCargo, Duncan, 67, 94, 96, 100, Kasian Tejapira, 63, 93 157, 169, 174 Kemp, Jeremy, 150 Men in Black,Thaksin militia, 192, Kershaw, Roger, 133–4 194–5 Keyes, Charles, 118, 148 messianic movements, Buddhist, Khattiya Sawasdipol, 189; killing 117 of, 193 Methee Chartmontri, 177–8 Khon Kaen province, uprisings, middle class, 22, 93–8, 150–51, 159, 118 161, 174, 191, 202–3 Klima,Alan, 14 military: army budget, 196; Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian, 77, 80, factionalism in, 215; May 2014 102, 133 dictatorship, 183–4, 206–8; Kraisak Choonhaven, 176 1970s atrocities discovered, 84; Kukrit Pramoj, 31 Red–Yellow Shirt rift, 189–90; Kullada Kesbonchoo Mead, 128–9 2006 coup, 20 Lady Gaga, outrage at, 39 millennial revolts, 117 Laos, 34; border war with, 93 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 107, lèse majesté law, 5–6, 22, 38, 216–17; 109 continued enforcement of, monarchy: absolute, 70; Bangkok 196; law use escalation, 216; era, 31; centralizing attempts, 129; Chakri, 69; charisma appropriation, 142; elite

Index  237 tensions, 115; end of polygamy, Niphon Promphan, 186 130; enforced reverence Noppadon Pattama, 197 for, 150;‘hyper-royalism’, Nostitz, Nick, 23, 179, 181 91; ideology, 29, 36; image Obama, Barack, 205 management, 22, 30, 62; oligarchy, competing clans, 109 mythology of, 32;‘network’, 94, opium trade, 78 142; nobility power relations, Oxford University, 67 127–8; pragmatic strategy, 110; Paison Tiplom, 15 propaganda, 83; royal incest, 64; Palace Law on Succession 1924, ‘royal liberalism’, 101; Russian murdered, 68; succession 127, 173, 218 conflict, 3, 128; support collapse, Paribatra, Prince, 130; death of, 17; theatrics, 47, 124; theology of, 28;‘vagueness of succession’, 132; Java exile, 131 112 parliamentary politics,‘godfathers’, Mongkut (Rama IV), 32, 62–3, 128–9; theatrics, 64 93 Morell, David, 82 Pasuk, Phongpaichit, 128, 156, 167, Morris, Rosalind, 38 Mountbatten, Louis, 76 204 Muramoto, Hiro, 192 Patani: Malay factions, 116; Murashima, Ejji, 66 murderous violence,Thai kings, sultanate, 49, 122 53–4 patrimonialism,Weberian model, Murray, David, 92, 96–7 Nakhon Ratchasima, peasant 50 rebellion, 118 Peleggi, Maurizio, 89 Nakkhatra Mangala, 25–6 Pensri Poomchusri, 37 Narai, King, 148; constraints, 125; People’s Alliance for Democracy, throne seizure, 116 Naresuan, King, 52–3 161, 173, 177, 184; aggression, Narongdej Nanha-phothidej, 178; coordinated provocations, 139 176; Parliament blocking, 198; National Anti-Corruption see also Yellow Shirts Commission, 204–5 ‘People’s Constitution’, 101, 143 ‘National Moral Assembly’, 207 ‘People’s Council’, proposed, 203 National Security Council, 206 ‘People’s Party’, 70 Natapoll Chaiching, 71–2 People’s Power Party, 171; Nawapol group, 87 Constitutional Court dissolved, Newin Chidchob, 181, 185–6, 196; 181 Bhumjai Thai party, 195 Persian factions, 116 Phao Sriyanond, 78, 134; banishment of, 79 Phaulkon, Constantine, 116 Phetchaburi kingdom, 49 Pheu Thai party, 196, 197, 205, 206; caretaker government, 206

238  A KINGDOM IN CRISIS Phibun Songkram, 74, 134; Ranongrak Suwanchawee, 185 assassination attempt, 75; Ratchaprasong intersection: banishment of, 79; military clique, 77; military success, 132; massacre, 11; massacre 1948 power seizure, 133; US aid commemoration, 14; Red Shirt to, 78 rally, 198; 2011 protests, 15 Ratnagiri, India, 65 Philadelphia, Saint Jack’s bar, 40 Rattana Utthaphan, 37 Phnom Penh, 86 rebellion 1932, 11, 59; theatricality, Piya Malakul, 164 60–61 Pojaman Shinawatra, 175 ‘red drum’ killings, Patthalung political consciousness,Thailand’s 1975, 84 Red Shirts, 11, 14, 15, 17, 22, poor, 221 169, 198, 215;Abhisit TV Pornthiva Nakasai, 185 negotiations, 190; hardliners, Porphant Ouyyanont, 81, 92 188; jailed, 13; killings of, 194; Porntip Rojanasunan, 178, 179 leadership split, 188, 193; Pattaya Prajadhipok (Rama VII), 59, 68, attack, 185; propaganda against, 12; 2010 protest, 190 130; abdication of, 72–4, 131; ‘Red villages’, 215 feigned capitulation strategy, 70; ‘regime of images’,Thai, 38 secret service, 71 rituals of remembrance,Thai Praphas Charusathien, 81 resistance, 13 Prasart Thong, King, 125, 137; Robinson, Lillian S., 39 murderous reign of, 120–21, Royal Cliff Hotel, Pattaya, 185 123, 126 royal blood, fetish of, 43; harem Pravit Rojanaphruk, 15 function 126–7 Prawase Wasi, 143 Saigon, 86 Prayuth Chan-ocha 12, 95, 183, Sakdina ranking system, 50–51, 195;‘patriotic song’ of, 184 55, 67, 86; patronage and Prem Tinsulanonda, 91, 93, 141–2, corruption, 149 158, 157, 162, 165–7, 170, 174, Samak Sundaravej, 172, 176, 185 188, 193, 220 Sanam Luang, 96, 211 premodern kingdoms, Southeast Sandhurst, Royal Military Asia, 49 Academy, 67 Pridi Banomyong, 71, 74–7, 133 Sangwan Suktisen, 15 Quaritch Wales, H.G., 30, 43–4, 48, Sangwan Talapat, 74, 76, 132 109, 126–7, 212 Sarawut Sathan, 16 Queen’s Guard, 190 Sarit Thanarat, 78; death of, 81; Rajasap, palace language, 126 military democracy, 80; 1957 Ramathibodi, King, 111 coup, 79, 135 Rambhai Barni, Queen, 59, 69 Sayant Pakdeepol, 147 Ramkhamhaeng, King, 31, 63

Index  239 Sayre, Francis, 130 Streckfuss, David, 5–6, 21, 36, 38 Scott, James C., 45–7, 117 Suchinda Kraprayoon, 89, 97; sex industry, 39, 41 Shigeharu Tanabe, 117 Bhumibol support, 90; coup, Shin Corp sale, 161 94; junta of, 95; newspapers Siam: British Empire rice depot, denounced, 96 Sukhothai, kingdom, 30, 49; 63; myth of premodern ‘utopian’ narrative of, 31; ruins harmony, 44; uncolonized, 32; of, 63 warfare ritualistic nature, 60 Sukhumband Paribatra, 141 Siam Cement, 81, 101 Sulak Sivaraksa, 23 Siddhi Savetsila, 188 Sumet Tantivejkul, 180 Singapore, British, 65 Supreme Court, 188;Thaksin Singha Beer dynasty, 204 convictions, 180;Thaksin Sirikit Kitiyakara, Queen, 19, 23, money seizure, 189 25, 27, 32–3, 78, 87, 91, 134–5, Surayud Chulanont, 167 138, 140, 156, 159, 172, 179, Suriyothai, 136, 172 181, 186, 192, 199, 209; military Suthep Thaugsuban, 24, 201, faction of, 190; political 204–6;‘People’s Council’, 203; activism of, 139; Suriyothai sabotage of 2014 elections, reincarnation fantasy, 136; 2012 205–6 health crisis, 199 Suthida Vajiralongkorn, 208–9 Sirindhorn, Princess, 19, 98, 136, Suvarnabhumi International 138, 143–4, 180, 188, 200, 219 Airport, Bangkok, 181 Siriraj Hospital, 23, 187, 199 Suwat Woradilok, 37 Soamsawali, Princess, 138 Taksin, King, 127 social media, 22 Tanin Kraivixien, 95; royal support, Solomon, Robert L., 112 91 Sombat Boonngamanong, 14–16 tattooing, 55 Somchai Wongsawat, 176, 181 Tej Bunnag, 171 Sondhi Limthongkul, 159, 175, 181; Temasek, Singapore sovereign elite backers, 161 wealth fund, 161 Srirasmi Akharapongpreecha, Terwiel, B.J., 30 Princess, 158, 170, 208; relatives Thai Rak Thai, 155, 162; dissolved, arrested, 208 169; election landslide, 158 Stanton, John, 76 ‘Thainess’, 49; indoctrination, State of Emergency 2010, 12 36 Stent, James, 20 Thak Chaloemtiarana, 79 Stevenson,William, 26, 30, 136, Thaksin Shinawatra, 2, 4, 108–9, 143–4 158, 160–63, 165, 168, 172, 175, Stock Exchange of Thailand, 185, 187, 190, 193, 196–9, 201, October 2009 collapse, 1 203, 213, 215, 220–1; amnesty Stowe, Judith, 71–2

240  A KINGDOM IN CRISIS proposal, 197, 201; Bhumibol 156–8, 167, 172–5, 186, 188, 197, dislike of, 157; coup against, 199, 201, 208–9, 214–20; elite 21; efforts to topple Abhisit opposition to, 3, 6, 136–7, 212; government, 189; election and Japan state visit, 140; marriage re-election, 20, 195; fulfilled breakdown, 143 poodle of, 154; promises, 156; narrow self- Thaksin ‘alliance’, 159;Yellow interest of, 188, 213; peace deal Shirt opposition, 160 sabotage, 193; removal of, 167; Vajiravudh (Rama VI), 67, 129 secret militia (Black Shirts), 189, Van Vliet, Jeremias, 120–21, 124 192–5; telecoms concessions, Vientiane, 86 155;Vajiralongkorn ‘alliance’, Vietcong, 34 159; wealth seizure, 169 Village Scouts, 87 Thammasat University, October Voravee Wirasamban, 40 1976 massacre, 25, 87, 91, 136, Walker,Andrew, 150, 152, 184 191, 218; history erased, 13 Wat Arun temple, 18 Thanapol Eawsakul, 36 Wat Bovornives, Bangkok temple, Thanom Kittikachorn, 81; return 87 of, 87 ‘watermelon soldiers’, 190 Theravada Buddhism, Dhammaraja Wat Pathum Wanaram, Bangkok ruler, 47 temple, killings, 194 Thonburi, 54 Weiss, Steve, 40 Thongbai Thongpao, 37 Whitehouse, Charles, 86 Thongchai Winichakul, 13, 32, 61, WikiLeaks, 6–7 83, 85, 91 Wolters, O.W., 49, 113 Trailok, King, 125; legal code, 43; Wood,W.A.R., 51, 113, 119, 124 palace law, 50; succession rule, Wyatt, David, 114, 113 Yellow Shirts (People’s Alliance Turton,Andrew, 38 for Democracy), 160–61, Ünaldi, Serhat, 16 177, 179, 180, 198; airport United Front for Democracy blockade, 181; extremism, 174; against Dictatorship (UDD), Makkawan Bridge protest site, 169, 193–4 175; rally numbers exaggerated, uprising(s) 1973, 84 202 USA: forces withdrawal, 87; Japan Yingluck Shinawatra, 196, 199, 201 nuclear attack, 75; royalist Yuwathida Pholprasert, 138, 142 propaganda support, 33–5; Zen department store, 11–12, 16 presence in Thailand, 82;Thai Žižek, Slavoj, 7 economic dominance, 80 ‘Zomia’, 45 Vajiralongkorn, Prince, 2, 4, 19, 68, 109, 130, 134–5, 138, 142, 151–3,