Episode 47: The Repositioning of Power - Thai Monarchy Pre and Post WWII

October 13, 2016, the day that Thailand, and the world, lost the longest-reigning monarch in modern history. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand took the throne shortly after World War II, and for over 70 years. After the news of his passing at Siriraj Hospital, Thai citizens were in mourning. For an entire year, Thai citizens wore black garments out of respect for the death of their monarch. Over the past year, over 12 million citizens came to pay respect to the King at his final resting place at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. To them, King Bhumibol was the only king they knew. From June 9 of 1946 to October 13 of 2016, he witnessed vast transformations within his country, from that of an agricultural-based economy to a modern, socioeconomic climate with a growing middle class. Book Siamese Sovereignty: Thailand's Strategy of Political Duality During World War II References 1. Baker, Chris, and Pasuk Phongpaichit. A history of Thailand. Cambridge University Press, 2014. 2. Winichakul, Thongchai. "Siam’s Colonial Conditions and the Birth of Thai History." Unraveling Myths in Southeast Asian Historiography (2011): 23-45. 3. Neuman, Scott. “Royal Cremation In Thailand To End Year Of Mourning For Beloved King.” NPR, NPR, 26 Oct. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/26/560154819/royal-cremation-in-thailand-to-end-year-of-mourning-for-beloved-king. 4. Lefevre, Amy Sawitta. “Technicolor Thailand Is Back after a Black-Clad Mourning Year for...” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 30 Oct. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-king/technicolor-thailand-is-back-after-a-black-clad-mourning-year-for-late-king-idUSKBN1CZ0A4. 5. Crossette, Barbara. “Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88, People's King of Thailand, Dies After 7-Decade Reign.” The New York Times, 19 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/world/asia/thai-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-dies.html. 6. "Thailand applies sufficiency economy philosophy to promote sustainable development". Oxford Business Group. 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-12. 7. Head, Jonathan. “How King Bhumibol Shaped Modern Thailand.” BBC News, BBC, 13 Oct. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33956560. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pacific-atrocities-education/support