Historical Dictionary of Thailand

by Gerald W. Fry

Overview

Throughout its history Siam and then later Thailand has shown remarkable resiliency, adaptability, and creativity in responding to serious threats and crises. This augues well for Thailand’s capacity to deal with the serious problems described above and to flourish in the areas in which it has great potential and comparative advantage, such as food exports (“kitchen of the world”); diverse genres of tourism; health and wellness management; creative design; alternative energy sources (great potential of solar energy and e-vehicles); regional transportation hub (both rail and air); export growth and diversification; an attractive site for MICE; and as an international education hub. Thailand clearly has the potential to become one of the most distinct, vibrant, creative, and diverse societies of the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.

Historical Dictionary of Thailand, Fourth Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 1,000 cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country’s politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Thailand.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538157442
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/07/2025
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	848

About the Author

Gerald W. Fry is a distinguished international professor at the University of Minnesota. He previously taught at the University of Oregon, Stanford University, Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Nagoya University (Japan), and numerous other universities in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Among his many book publications are Happiness Education: Holistic Learning for Sustainable Well-Being (2024) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (2023). He has also published 162 scientific papers.

Table of Contents

Foreword (Alice Swift)

Preface

Acknowledgments

Reader’s Note

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Map

Chronology

Introduction

THE DICTIONARY

Appendixes

A.Regions and Provinces of Thailand

B.Kings of Sukhothai

C.Kings of Lan Na and Chiang Mai

D.Kings of Ayutthaya, Thonburi, and Siam/Thailand

E.Population of Thailand by Province and Region

F.Population of Thailand, 1910–2020

G.Population of 25 Largest Cities, 2020

H.Principal Agricultural Crops

I.Gross Domestic Product by Industrial Origin

J.Thailand’s Core Economic Indicators, 2001–2023

K.Core Performance Indicators

L.National Election Results, 1933-2023

M.A Chronology of Coups d’Etat, Rebellions, and Revolutions in Thailand since 1782

N.List of Thai Constitutions

O.Prime Ministers, 1932–2023

Glossary

Bibliography

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

This third edition of the Historical Dictionary of Thailand makes an excellent addition to any reference collection or international collection in an academic library (community college or university) and public library. Both expert and novice researchers, from high school to college level, will find that this work a source of thorough resources and references to help in the understanding and appreciation of Thailand for years to come. Because of its unique focus on Thailand, this reference serves as the sole dictionary on the market that explains the country’s political and economic history in such vivid detail from its days as the Siam to the modern kingdom of Thailand.

Reference Reviews

The new edition of the Historical Dictionary of Thailand...[is] ambitious in its undertaking and
clear in its presentation.. . .It is a good general introduction and reference guide to a student undertaking research in the field.. . .Over all, the book is easy to use and it is easy to find entries and quick information.. .. If a university library serves a student population that will be conducting basic research on Thailand’s post-1750 history, then this dictionary should be in its collection.

Journal of the American Oriental Society

In this third edition, Fry, Nieminen, and Smith offer a comprehensive dictionary that includes an introduction to the history of Thailand's land, people, religion, and politics. Additionally, this volume provides an explanation of the Thai language and transliteration system. Also featured is an extensive chronology that begins at 40,000 BCE with the early ancestors of Southeast Asian peoples, and extends to September 17, 2012, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a report of its investigation into the violence of a political crisis in 2010. Readers will find a glossary of common phonetic spellings; a list of acronyms and abbreviations used throughout the book; and an extensive bibliography categorized by subject. Other than a black-and-white map of Thailand at the beginning of the book, no images are provided. Brief alphabetical entries discuss the key events, people, social issues, foreign relations, and policies that make this country distinct. This third edition will be a valuable resource for a variety of audiences interested in Thailand or in Asian studies/history. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic, research, and public libraries; lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.

Choice Reviews

Since the publication of the 2d edition in 2005, much has changed in Thailand in all sectors of the country. This 3d edition has a revised introduction and many updates from 2005-2013. In addition, there are new entries that discuss many significant recent events, including politics, economics, and foreign relations. Besides the introduction and the main body of dictionary, the chronology is concise and useful. The 16 appendixes—including such information as kings, population statistics, principal agricultural crops, economic indicators, gross domestic products, elections, Coups d’Etats in modern Thailand, and prime ministers—are simple compilations suitable to nonspecialist readers for quick reference and general information. The bibliography is a selective and classified one that also provides a list of relevant Websites on Thailand. This historical dictionary is useful as a beginning-level reference book on Thailand.

American Reference Books Annual

In this third edition, Fry, Nieminen, and Smith offer a comprehensive dictionary that includes an introduction to the history of Thailand's land, people, religion, and politics. Additionally, this volume provides an explanation of the Thai language and transliteration system. Also featured is an extensive chronology that begins at 40,000 BCE with the early ancestors of Southeast Asian peoples, and extends to September 17, 2012, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a report of its investigation into the violence of a political crisis in 2010. Readers will find a glossary of common phonetic spellings; a list of acronyms and abbreviations used throughout the book; and an extensive bibliography categorized by subject. Other than a black-and-white map of Thailand at the beginning of the book, no images are provided. Brief alphabetical entries discuss the key events, people, social issues, foreign relations, and policies that make this country distinct. This third edition will be a valuable resource for a variety of audiences interested in Thailand or in Asian studies/history. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic, research, and public libraries; lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.

Choice

In this third edition, Fry, Nieminen, and Smith offer a comprehensive dictionary that includes an introduction to the history of Thailand's land, people, religion, and politics. Additionally, this volume provides an explanation of the Thai language and transliteration system. Also featured is an extensive chronology that begins at 40,000 BCE with the early ancestors of Southeast Asian peoples, and extends to September 17, 2012, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a report of its investigation into the violence of a political crisis in 2010. Readers will find a glossary of common phonetic spellings; a list of acronyms and abbreviations used throughout the book; and an extensive bibliography categorized by subject. Other than a black-and-white map of Thailand at the beginning of the book, no images are provided. Brief alphabetical entries discuss the key events, people, social issues, foreign relations, and policies that make this country distinct. This third edition will be a valuable resource for a variety of audiences interested in Thailand or in Asian studies/history. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic, research, and public libraries; lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.

CHOICE