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312th out of 401 books
—
1,478 voters
The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thailand’s Bhumibol Adulyadej, the only king ever born in the United States, came to the throne of his country in 1946 and is now the world’s longest-serving monarch. The King Never Smiles, the first independent biography of Thailand's monarch,tells the unexpected story ofBhumibol's life and sixty-year rule—how a Western-raised boy came to be seen by his people as a living...more
Hardcover, 512 pages
Published
July 20th 2006
by Yale University Press
(first published July 1st 2006)
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I'd heard about this book for years, and as someone who had lived in Thailand was very curious about it. While I'm sure that Handley won't be welcome back to the kingdom any time soon for telling the story of the King as he has, I think his book is quite impressive. His writing rendered clear a great many things that had baffled me while in country--in my experience, many people were willing to talk about things like scandals in the royal family, but did not dwell on them at all. I've got a much...more
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Paul Handley presents a fairly even analysis... a bit skewed by confirmation bias, but generally fair. The title is misleading; it's not a biography of King Bhumibol so much as an analysis of the institution of the modern monarchy, which is inevitably bound up with Bhumibol, but separate. Handley's argument is at its strongest when he's drawing the devastating connections between Bhumibol and the 1976 Thammasat University massacre. Meanwhile, he's at his weakest when he's trying to articulate th...more
Dec 16, 2007
Matt
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people interested in Thai politics and semi-democratic political systems
Totally different perspective on the role of King Rama 9 (the world's current longest reigning monarch, of over 60 years) in modern Thai history than you get from any other literature. The book is illegal in Thailand, but a friend whose got a friend in the royal circles of Bangkok told me that all the royal family is now reading it...
1 like · like · see review
This was a strange one-- I wanted to understand what was happening in Thailand a little better, and my friend Sean suggested this, saying he'd heard it was pretty good. And it is good, though I think it also has its limits, both for what I wanted and in other contexts.
The book, taken broadly, is more or less a supplementary history of Thailand, partially since 1932, but mostly from 1947, a history that aims to integrate the role of the monarchy in terms of its influence on the political life of...more
The book, taken broadly, is more or less a supplementary history of Thailand, partially since 1932, but mostly from 1947, a history that aims to integrate the role of the monarchy in terms of its influence on the political life of...more
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In some ways this feels like 3 books:
First we have a fairly complex and scholarly introduction to the semi-religious concepts of the Devaraja and the Dhammaraja. Not easy going but if you find it difficult read the next few chapters and then come back to it as you'll find it easier once you see the real life examples
Second there is the description of the efforts of a few powerful and ambitious aristocrats in the Court to rebuild the power and prestige of the monarchy by making it more relevant...more
First we have a fairly complex and scholarly introduction to the semi-religious concepts of the Devaraja and the Dhammaraja. Not easy going but if you find it difficult read the next few chapters and then come back to it as you'll find it easier once you see the real life examples
Second there is the description of the efforts of a few powerful and ambitious aristocrats in the Court to rebuild the power and prestige of the monarchy by making it more relevant...more
A very well researched look at the Thai monarchy, particularly the unprecedented reign of King Bhumibol (Rama IX). The book is banned in Thailand, certainly it a critical though I believe quite balanced.
I would really like to see an update, given the turmoil in Thailand since it was published in 2006, to cover former Prime Minister Shinawatra's dismissal (and subsequent further controversy) plus coups and red shirt/yellow shirt protests, as well as further speculation of what will become of the...more
I would really like to see an update, given the turmoil in Thailand since it was published in 2006, to cover former Prime Minister Shinawatra's dismissal (and subsequent further controversy) plus coups and red shirt/yellow shirt protests, as well as further speculation of what will become of the...more
Dragged in the middle - also, I felt you could tell when the tone of the author became more sharp concerning the topic in the second half (perhaps more data sources?)
Interesting perspective on how things work politically in Thailand...and that all hands are at least somewhat dirty.
Interesting perspective on how things work politically in Thailand...and that all hands are at least somewhat dirty.
Mar 20, 2013
Lana
marked it as to-read
Living in Thailand for 10+ years so of course I'm always keen to find out more about the country, even (well, especially) the bits that make people fearful and uncomfortable. But unable to legally buy or possess here due to censorship....
Apr 18, 2011
Glennmbrown
added it
Dan,
It told me all kinds of important things about 20th century Thai politics, but I don't think you'd much like it. Sort of boring if you don't much care about Thailand.
Glenn
It told me all kinds of important things about 20th century Thai politics, but I don't think you'd much like it. Sort of boring if you don't much care about Thailand.
Glenn
Banned in Thailand. Poor choice of title, but very interesting insights into the royal Thai family, and their involvement in Thai politics.
I found this very interesting - especially since there are not many books on Thailand's monarchy, much less any biographies. Because of the strict censorship Thailand imposes, it is hard to find unbiased views of the monarchy (besides the underground gossip). This biography has created a very different view of the monarchy that I grew up with and heard about but I do wish that it focused more on the king and not the politics of Thailand. I understand that Thai politics play a crucial role in the...more
Book on Thai King Bhmibol. At times boring. Still gives a decent insight into Thailand, king, people, political forces.
Any book that can get you put away for 15 years has to be worth reading. Man, there's a lot I didn't know about Thailand.
So controversial that it is banned in the Kingdom of Thailand, this thoroughly researched portrait of the modern Thai monarchy proves both eye-opening and very valuable.
The revered King of Thailand undergoes closer scrutiny, under which he actually continues to look like a very kind, benevolent leader. But there are some interesting insights into the machinations of the royalist supporters over the past sixty-plus years. An important read for anyone who will be living in this county, but read i...more
The revered King of Thailand undergoes closer scrutiny, under which he actually continues to look like a very kind, benevolent leader. But there are some interesting insights into the machinations of the royalist supporters over the past sixty-plus years. An important read for anyone who will be living in this county, but read i...more
I did not read it yet
because i never saw it in Thailand
so who had any copy of this book?
because i never saw it in Thailand
so who had any copy of this book?
Handley argues that Bhumibol, despite the official propaganda, has hindered the development of democracy in Thailand over his long reign. He's done this by speaking against the rule of law and politicians, undermining the government with his private development projects, frequently accepting new constitutions and military dictators, failing to favor democratically elected leaders with royal honors, and on and on. Perhaps worst of all, he has failed to prepare Thailand for his passing, because th...more
must read, recommend for Thai people especially yellow shirt
Banned/challenged in Thailand
Fascinating, comprehensive, and exhaustive look at the mythology surrounding the Thai monarch. So thorough, however, that reading can get tiresome sometimes. This book probably will not be of much interest to those without prior knowledge or interest in Thai politics or culture, as really nothing written can truly convey the status that the king has achieved amongst the Thai people. Without that context to enlighten the analysis, the book would be a chore.
Sep 20, 2012
Peck
added it
One of my fav television image showed the King broking a truce between bitter political figures rivalling for power in the early 90s. Now I see the untold stories behind that image.
Occasionally uncharitable in his assessment, and picking on nitty-gritty details, the book is nevertheless revealing about the other face of the King in contrast to the official version.
Occasionally uncharitable in his assessment, and picking on nitty-gritty details, the book is nevertheless revealing about the other face of the King in contrast to the official version.
A little repetitive, but good.
You really can understand why he never smiles! It gives you an idea of the intrigues of palace and Thail politics which is very complex. Also talks about the future but things change fast and the events of the last coup are not covered but it is more of the same .....
I'm really excited to read this biography of the King-it's banned in Thailand! I can't believe I live in a country that has banned books! Up yours, censorship.
Khow more about power
about Thailand
King only the one of Political power side
King fight with new Capitalism Politician
about Thailand
King only the one of Political power side
King fight with new Capitalism Politician
Read like a history book. I wanted more of a summary. The history is very repetitious.
Aug 31, 2011
Rick
added it
I did not get into it; stopped fairly early. My issue, not the book's.
ohhhhh... I am so bad. Don't tell the authorities on me.
great man, great story... great sorrow, great success
The King Never Smiles
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