The Devil's Discus: The Death of Ananda, King of Siam

by Rayne Kruger

A detailed investigation into the dramatic demise of Ananda, the European born and educated heir to the Siamese crown. Ananda returned to Thailand in 1945, at the conclusion of WWII, at the tender age of 20, to assume his royal role, yet only six months later was discovered dead in the palace of a gunshot wound. Following a painfully extended investigation and trial, three palace aides were convicted and executed for regicide, and one of Thailand's brightest and most promising politicians, implicated in the 'crime' was driven into exile. Author Kruger, who had unprecedented access to members of the inner circle of the Thai royal family (although these contacts remain unidentified), drew the conclusion that Ananda's death was most probably an 'accidental suicide'. Thus it appears that the sad, most likely accidental, death of the young king was exploited for the purposes of a political vendetta, and that three innocent victims were executed to maintain the façade. Kruger's book was incendiary to the Thai establishment and was quickly banned in the country where it remains banned to the present day. The inexplicable rarity of the original edition implies a concerted effort, by parties unknown, to corner and destroy as many printed copies as possible. A fascinating read, of particular relevance today as royalist forces continue their struggle to dominate the direction of the country by whatever means possible.

Genres: Banned Books

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Usanisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

As thais, I feel this book boring and has too many irrelevent fact which should not mention.
However one thing that the author has written right. Three persons who convicted murdered of King RAMA VIII was victim of Thailand's political situation.

[PK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok...first things first...I don't agree with the author's conclussion at all. Keep in mind that none of the conclusions drawn are fact...they are just the author's guesses - the guesses of a non-Thai who can't possibly hope to fully comprehend the subject matter he's dealing with.