Historical Dictionary of Thailand
By (author) Gerald W. Fry, Gayla S. Nieminen, Harold E. Smith
Publication date:
08 August 2013Length of book:
710 pagesPublisher
Scarecrow PressISBN-13: 9780810878020
Throughout its history, Thailand has shown remarkable resiliency, adaptability, and creativity in responding to serious threats and crises, and this since much earlier times when it was known as Siam. This book, while focusing on the modern period, does reach back to ancient kingdoms but also shows the impressive rise to a modern democracy, although still endowed with a king, and even more impressively, an economic “tiger.” Moreover, it has become a prime tourist destination and is thus known to vast numbers of foreigners as a sort of “instant Asia.”
The Historical Dictionary of Thailand, now in its third edition, covers this amazing story in various ways. First, the chronology traces the most significant events from year to year. The introduction then provides a good overview of the land and people, the history and traditions, and where it now seems to be heading. The dictionary, which by now has hundreds of detailed and cross-referenced entries, looks more closely at important persons, places, institutions and events as well as more generally its politics, economy, society, culture and religion. So this is an excellent reference work not only for scholars but many others who have visited the country and were fascinated by it.
The Historical Dictionary of Thailand, now in its third edition, covers this amazing story in various ways. First, the chronology traces the most significant events from year to year. The introduction then provides a good overview of the land and people, the history and traditions, and where it now seems to be heading. The dictionary, which by now has hundreds of detailed and cross-referenced entries, looks more closely at important persons, places, institutions and events as well as more generally its politics, economy, society, culture and religion. So this is an excellent reference work not only for scholars but many others who have visited the country and were fascinated by it.
In this third edition, Fry, Nieminen, and Smith offer a comprehensive dictionary that includes an introduction to the history of Thailand's land, people, religion, and politics. Additionally, this volume provides an explanation of the Thai language and transliteration system. Also featured is an extensive chronology that begins at 40,000 BCE with the early ancestors of Southeast Asian peoples, and extends to September 17, 2012, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a report of its investigation into the violence of a political crisis in 2010. Readers will find a glossary of common phonetic spellings; a list of acronyms and abbreviations used throughout the book; and an extensive bibliography categorized by subject. Other than a black-and-white map of Thailand at the beginning of the book, no images are provided. Brief alphabetical entries discuss the key events, people, social issues, foreign relations, and policies that make this country distinct. This third edition will be a valuable resource for a variety of audiences interested in Thailand or in Asian studies/history. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic, research, and public libraries; lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.