The King Never Smiles
Yale University Press understands the forthcoming publication of Paul Handley’s book has given cause for concern. The book is dispassionate in tone and temperament, and has been thoroughly vetted both by leading scholars in the field and by the Yale University Press Faculty Committee. The author stands behind this book one hundred percent as does the Press. Journalist Paul Handley spent thirteen years living in Thailand and reporting on Thailand and South East Asia. His book is a deeply researched, interpretive biography of King Bhumibol, covering the King’s life, thinking, and ruling philosophy. It recasts post-1932 Thai political history to include the monarchy’s role (which has been skirted and omitted by every other modern history of the country).More generally, it is a portrait of the workings of one modern constitutional monarchy, with focus on issues on constitutionalism. The title of the book refers, simply, to the Buddhist concept of uppeka, or equanimity, in the projection of the king’s image. The timing of publication is purely coincidental with this year’s anniversary.
Monarchy is not just an institution in Thailand, but a part of Thais’ life. People love and respect the King not because they were told to do so, but becuase they genuinely appreciate how much the King devotes himself to the country. Thai law forbids people saying bad thing about the King, not because it would offend the King himself, but because it would offend most Thais – the law is intending to protect the value of reverence of Thais having to their King. Thais are encourage you to do the same.
Given that the King of Thailand is 78 years old and in questionable health, it is most fitting that his role in modern Thai politics is understood openly and honestly. To decry transparency and study on the basis of respect or reverence is short-sighted. Truth should not offend, and if it does, the victor ought to be truth, not offense. Thais do no favor either to their King or their country by refusing to examine the role of their King in their country through an honest examination of the facts instead of respectful mythmaking.
HPBoothe
No matter what the book says about King Bhumibhol, but what the world saw on the 9th of June shows the spirit of Thai people and the LOVE and HONESTY we have for the KING of THAILAND. He has worked so hard all his life for his people and country. This is what we realize and love him unconditionally. He is the king of hearts and no one will truly understand except the Thai people. Long live the king!
True, Paul Handley, once work with Far Eastern Economics Reviews. That doesn’t make him an expert, or close to even qualified writing something like this.
He is widely known as a bias reporter, stereotype and never do his homework kind of guy. His previous publishings has proven that. His knowledge and views of Asia is that of a spoilt “colonialism” westerner of the 19th century.
None of the things that he wrote was done through research and studies. Many are hearsays, and rumours, from Thai leftists working in the government.
My only question is – how much effort have you put in to attempt writing someone’s 60 years of work.
Where’s the spirits and respect for someone trying to make some quick bucks out of 60 years of honorary life of another person? None I guess? Ask any reputable Autobiography author and you’ll know.
This is not any ordinary biography, but concerns diplomatic ties. Yale should at least read the texts, before considering publishing them. And you’ll know the author never did his homework.
I don’t think the author have done such a great research. Living in Thailand for 13 yrs doean’t mean that he does catch on everything clearly….. So,I’m Thai by birth or throughout, and of course can not sit quietly and let a jerk author insults my beloved King… Personally, the author just got all the information from Thaksin’s servants and surely, there’s something behind it….. I strongly believe that whoever insults our KIng means that that person is our foe….. By the way,Handley had been living in the Royal Kingdom of Thailand for 13 yrs and be really arrogant …As far as i’m concerned if i were him , i would of course be really grateful to this nation…. So far, we as a Thais do really understand that he is not….
Anyway, i would like to pass on this question to him: Are ya willing to know that ya Dad has been insulted??
the ans probably, ya are…
Shit!
I don’t think the author have done such a great research. Living in Thailand for 13 yrs doean’t mean that he does catch on everything clearly….. So,I’m Thai by birth or throughout, and of course can not sit quietly and let a jerk author insults my beloved King… Personally, the author just got all the information from Thaksin’s servants and surely, there’s something behind it….. I strongly believe that whoever insults our KIng means that that person is our foe….. By the way,Handley had been living in the Royal Kingdom of Thailand for 13 yrs and be really arrogant …As far as i’m concerned if i were him , i would of course be really grateful to this nation…. So far, we as a Thais do really understand that he is not….
Anyway, i would like to pass on this question to him: Are ya willing to know that ya Dad has been insulted??
the ans probably, ya are…
Shit!
True, Paul Handley, once work with Far Eastern Economics Reviews. That doesn’t make him an expert, or close to even qualified writing something like this.
He is widely known as a bias reporter, stereotype and never do his homework kind of guy. His previous publishings has proven that. His knowledge and views of Asia is that of a spoilt “colonialism” westerner of the 19th century.
None of the things that he wrote was done through research and studies. Many are hearsays, and rumours, from Thai leftists working in the government.
My only question is – how much effort have you put in to attempt writing someone’s 60 years of work.
Where’s the spirits and respect for someone trying to make some quick bucks out of 60 years of honorary life of another person? None I guess? Ask any reputable Autobiography author and you’ll know.
This is not any ordinary biography, but concerns diplomatic ties. Yale should at least read the texts, before considering publishing them. And you’ll know the author never did his homework.
Having read this book, I found it to be an extremely interesting read. It is in my opinion, very well researched, and the information is presented in a systematic way. My only criticism is that at times it becomes rather dry.
I would like to make a suggestion to those who are rubbishing the book.. Why don’t you read the it before making silly statements about its accuracy?
While I respect Thai peoples love and admiration for the King, I can’t truely come to terms with it. However, I do understand it; considering how his image has been carefully managed for over 60 years and of course, lets not forget the olde Les Majeste’ laws.
Indeed, having read the book its hard not to admire the hard work that must have been involved in its creation, particulary considering how difficult this information must have been to obtain, especially given most Thai’s lemming like attitude towards their monarch.
Hello Paul,
Where have I been? I have just purchased the book and cannot put it down.
Everything you wrote in the book is as accurate and so true as many Thais and I have known them all along. We can only talk in secrecy. Thais understood the silent “Gag Order”. They do not have a steel nerve to speak up or write these anecdotes or they might disappear without a trace in a gator farm somewhere like others who were fooled to talk by the planted decoys in all forms of human beings. No kidding!
This is the book I wish I had written. If I did I would have to go into a hiding like Rushdie of Iran–hmm.
I have known many characters in your books, even linked by a bloodline to one top rank in military echelon.
I served as elected Secretary General for The Thai Association in Massachusetts with Princess Ubolratana–dubbed Julie (Holding the Royal Title at the time) who served as the Editor. She was a student in Applied Math at MIT and I was at Harvard. I still have her photo for Thai Silk Classical Dress Show at the Annual Banquet which about 400 attendance.
I shared class at Harvard (coop degree program between Harvard & MIT) with PM Thanom’s daughter, , an MIT Master’s Degree student; and the sit-in of her translator husband, Suwit Yodmanee (Master’s student at Boston U.) who was very bitter about the admission turned-down by Harvard.
I also met Sulak Silwalak in person (Still have his photo with me) in later years
If you want to do the next edition, I can feed you many more anecdotes, let me know. However, I want to be safe and sound because I have relatives who live in Thailand. Some of them would oppose to your stories under years of the old-fashion and cultural indoctrination/brain-wash.
I knew it even before I read that the book is banned in Thailand. Just the same as The King and I.
With my undergraduate major in Biology which included Genetics study, I always think of the in-breeding within the Chakri Dynasty.The two of equally worst sex maniac were King Rama IV (The Ugly)and King Rama V, (The Bad) who produced up to 80 half-brothers and half-sisters who were first cousins and married tom each others. Many of their off-springs died in in fancy or in childhood years, some had loose screws, and etc.
As I know of another telling that Mom Sangwal pulled the pistol from the young Bhumipol and put it on the bed near King Ananda to make it right some one else murdered the King. With my own analysis, if King Bhumipol shot his brother, it must have been an accident without knowing that the pistol was loaded. As I know the two played together a lot with unloaded pistols. It could have been plotted that some insider loaded the pistol that morning and used the hand of King Bhumipol to zap his brother innocently.
Do you know that Sia O changed the name of his second wife so to avoid tracing of her past.
Are you aware of that expression by most Thais ‘ Oad mai glua, aid mai glua, glua aai O aat” which means “Not afraid of starving, not afraid of aid, but afraid of (Sia) 0’s crushing act” depicting his tyranny.
He also donned a red hair wig and sun glass at night as to naively disguise himself to a go-go-bar.
Do you know that Princess Chulabhorn was called behind her back “Thua Pak Aah” at Chulalongkorn U.? It resembles “Mouth-Open Bean” which are roasted and sprinkled with salt and sold as snack favorite one for Indian people who live in Thailand. In some official occasion when she was young she cannot closed her mouth and she drooled without being aware of it. Princess Surinthorn would nudge her to make her conscious.
You’ve got that right, the government high ranks and the monarch and his crew; play each others like puppets and puppeteers, depending on the circumstance.
I would like to meet you in person Paul. You have a standing invitation to be my house guest.