AMERICAN JOURNALIST’S BOOK ABOUT THAI KING RAISES IRE IN BANGKOK
January 14th 2008 02:03
An American journalist took the limelight at an international academic conference, even though he didn’t appear in person since his critical book on the king of Thailand is banned and he thinks he might be unwelcome.
Washington-based Handley published his book, ‘The King Never Smiles’, about Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2006. Earlier he had worked in Thailand with the Hong Kong-based news magazine Far Eastern Economic Review.
Handley alleges that Bhumibol has proved a major stumbling block to the progress of democracy in Thailand as he consolidated royal power over a 62 year reign.
Annette Hamilton, an Australian anthropologist who has worked in Thailand for almost 20 years, said, "This book raises in a dramatic way some of the most important matters concerning the past, the present and the future of the kingdom.
“Handley's book presents such a profound challenge to a prevailing Thai world-view that we can see that many people would respond with fear and negativity,"
She said that banning books is something associated with fascist regimes, but added that suppression of information has been practiced in recent years in many democracies, including her native Australia.
AP reported that while questioning some of his sources, noting inaccuracies and even questioning his conclusions, both Thai and foreign participants at the 10th International Conference on Thai Studies credited Handley with stimulating debate on the issue within the country.
In 2006, the former Thai Prime Minister didn’t mince words when criticising Hadley’s book.
He said, "I don't like it. The nation doesn't like it. It's a hearsay book and is not based on the fact. We are worried about the foreigners who read it. My suggestion is please ignore that book. It's useless."
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