The Crown and the Capitalists: The Ethnic Chinese and the Founding of the Thai Nation

by Wasana Wongsurawat

Despite competing with much larger imperialist neighbors in Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand—or Siam, as it was formerly known—has succeeded in transforming itself into a rival modern nation-state over the last two centuries. Recent historiography has placed progress—or lack thereof—toward Western-style liberal democracy at the center of Thailand’s narrative, but that view underestimates the importance of the colonial context. In particular, a long-standing relationship with China and the existence of a large and important Chinese diaspora within Thailand have shaped development at every stage.As the emerging nation struggled against colonial forces in Southeast Asia, ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs were neither a colonial force against whom Thainess was identified, nor had they been able to fully assimilate into Thai society. Wasana Wongsurawat demonstrates that the Kingdom of Thailand’s transformation into a modern nation-state required the creation of a national identity that justified not only the hegemonic rule of monarchy but also the involvement of the ethnic Chinese entrepreneurial class upon whom it depended. Her revisionist view traces the evolution of this codependent relationship through the twentieth century, as Thailand struggled against colonial forces in Southeast Asia, found itself an ally of Japan in World War II, and reconsidered its relationship with China in the postwar era.

Genres: History, China, Nonfiction

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2019

Reviews

[chaymasira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and thought provoking

As someone who is a Thai-Chinese as well as a student of history, this book has proven useful in expelling some of the brainwashing narrative that has circulated within the Chinese diaspora community in Thailand.

For anyone who’s interested in studying Thailand and it’s politics, this book is a must read. In other words, indispensable.

All the best for the author, Ajhan Wassana.

[Kim Thada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many untold stories

Unthinkably close ties between ethnic Chinese people and Siamese ruling class are elaborated in this book. Many untold stories are carefully revealed in great details. It shed another light to understanding post-1932 Thai politics. A.Wasana is a master of Chinese history, who is talented as both a storyteller and a writer.

[Thanate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I particularly like the last chapter especially on the part about Plubplachai incident of 2517/1974 and how the author sees that as a prelude to thr October 1976 massacre.

[Jade Chenarak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opening, detailed study into the role and importance of the ethic Chinese population in Thailand in the founding of the modern nation state

[Erin Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Densely academic, absolutely fascinating.

[Rudy van der Hoeven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even for a longtime resident like myself, this is an eye-opener.