A Plastic Nation: The Curse of Thainess in Thai-Burmese Relations

by Pavin Chachavalpongpun

Overview

A Plastic Nation examines the role of Thai nationhood in domestic and international politics. Although in fact ill-defined, Thainess, or khwampenthai, has been consistently used by Thai leaders to legitimize their power and defend their economic interests. Not only has the assertion of Thainess been deeply rooted in the private interests of those in power, it has been deployed as part of nationalist sentiment to guard against any international norms, often considered as threats to the leaders' own interests. This book is intended for students and professors in the field of Thai nationhood and nationalism, contemporary Thai-Burmese relations, and policy practitioners in the government and military

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761831525
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/18/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a Singapore-based Thai academic, independent writer, and a visiting lecturer at various Thai universities. He received his Ph.D. in Political Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 List of Table
Chapter 2 List of Key Characters
Chapter 3 Abbreviations
Chapter 4 Preface
Chapter 5 Introduction
Chapter 6 Revisiting Thai Nationhood
Chapter 7 The Historical Background
Chapter 8 Ethnic Insurgencies Along Thai-Burmese Borders
Chapter 9 The Drugs Trade
Chapter 10 The Controversy over Burma's Admission Into ASEAN
Chapter 11 Conclusion
Chapter 12 Glossary
Chapter 13 Bibliography
Chapter 14 Index
Chapter 15 Author Biography

Editorial Reviews

Despite the problematic analyses of norms and nationhood, the book provides an interesting look at Thai perceptions of the country's historical arch-rival and the domestic discourses related to the current policies and relationship with Burma. It tells many interesting stories of the relationship that are illuminating beyond the issue of Thainess.

Pacific Affairs - Thongchai Winichakul

...presents his argument very well, and anyone interested in the evolution of Thai nationhood–and how and why Thai perceptions of "the Burmese threat" have changed since the 1950s and 1960s–should read this book.

The Irrawaddy Online Edition - Bertil Lintner

In many ways this is an interesting book presenting a fresh perspective on Thai-Myanmar relations that should attract wide readership from scholars who work on Thailand and Myanmar...Pavin has displayed great courage in publishing this bookkkkk

Contemporary Southeast Asia - N. Ganesan

Despite the problematic analyses of norms and nationhood, the book provides an interesting look at Thai perceptions of the country's historical arch-rival and the domestic discourses related to the current policies and relationship with Burma. It tells many interesting stories of the relationship that are illuminating beyond the issue of Thainess.
— Thongchai Winichakul

Pacific Affairs

...presents his argument very well, and anyone interested in the evolution of Thai nationhood–and how and why Thai perceptions of "the Burmese threat" have changed since the 1950s and 1960s–should read this book.
— Bertil Lintner

The Irrawaddy Online Edition

In many ways this is an interesting book presenting a fresh perspective on Thai-Myanmar relations that should attract wide readership from scholars who work on Thailand and Myanmar...Pavin has displayed great courage in publishing this book
— N. Ganesan

Contemporary Southeast Asia