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The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej Hardcover – 4 Aug 2006

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Paul M Handley (Author)
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Paul M Handley (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars 16 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Yale University Press (4 Aug. 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9780300106824
  • ISBN-13: 978-0300106824
  • ASIN: 0300106823
  • Product Dimensions: 15.6 x 3.8 x 23.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 414,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

'...succeeds in engrossing the reader with the complex personality
of the Thai king and his long and eventful life.'
-- Grant Evans, Far Eastern Economic Review, September 13 2006

'A new and comprehensive history of the Thai modern monarchy.'
-- The Sunday Telegraph, October 6, 2006

'The first serious biography of [the king]...key to understanding
the extraordinary events of the past year.' -- Chris Baker, Asia Sentinel, September 13 2006

About the Author

Paul M. Handley is a freelance journalist who lived and worked as a foreign correspondent in Asia for more than twenty years, including thirteen in Thailand.

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsAn alternative history of 20th century Thailand
By Mr. W. Holloway on 18 May 2014
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Having spent several years living and working in Thailand, reading this book felt like a guilty secret. As every Thai (and everyone else who has been there) knows, there is just one opinion on the Monarchy. Therefore this book offers some refreshing balance. This isn't all about King Bhumibol either; and is a great summary of Thailand's modern history and its constant struggle find political stability and democracy. It also tells the story of how a dynasty on its knees managed to not only survive, but go from strength to strength, with the leadership, determination and guile of just one man.

This book though is certainly not free from bias. However, set in a frustrating backdrop of religion-endorsed superiority, media censorship, omnipresent overt propaganda and draconian lese-majeste law, it is somewhat understandable. The bulk of the most critical parts are obviously based on rumour alone. Still, In a country where it is illegal to defame, insult or threaten the Monarchy, its not surprising that the author struggled to find many accurate references for his arguments.

Overall this book is a fascinating read for anyone with in an interest in Thai history and culture. I do though feel it is heavily padded, with lots of irritating repetition. My greatest criticism though is the unnecessary use of academic and high brow language, making it almost impossible to read for any non-native speaker.
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3.0 out of 5 starsWorth persisting with
By John on 20 Jun. 2008
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
An interesting perspective on the Thai monarchy. Large parts of the text are clearly padding and somewhat heavy going while the 'interesting bits' are generally inadequately covered. Not really enough references. A book half the size would have been more accessible and informative. Nonetheless this book is worth persisting with as it contains some interesting nuggets. I would be wary of over reliance on it as an accurate reflection of the position of the monarchy in Thailand but it does have value as an alternative to the mainstream perspective.
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5.0 out of 5 starsthe best book for thai people who really wants to know ...
By toby on 19 Sept. 2015
Format: Hardcover
the best book for thai people who really wants to know more about your country unfortunately prohibited. many things in Thailand is taboo and authority does not want you to know. it is an open eyes book.
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5.0 out of 5 starsBlind Power
By Amazon Customer on 12 Jan. 2016
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Insightful non-censored story that no Thai wants to hear. This book reveals some 'truths' about the Thai monarchy that will never be allowed to circulate in Thailand. It's a remarkable book that un-plugs the mythology of a protected institution and makes a great read. Perhaps it should be followed up with the 'truth' behind the 'Saudi Princess jewel heist' another powerful story of Thai intrigue, misinformation and institutional corruption.
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5.0 out of 5 starsOnly for those who are interested in Thailand
By Stubbsy on 24 May 2014
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This might sound obvious but if you have no knowledge of Thailand or the king or have no interest in Thailand dont bother. It is far to complicated and in depth a book and will confuse you untill you give up. However for those who want to learn more it is great, very interesting and will shock you. But be prepared for a tough read and what ever you do don't take it to Thailand, the Thai's love their King and this is not the most positive book and is banned in Thailand, they will take it seriously so if you take it there then just take the paper cover off it.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThe most important book on Thailand ever written
By Mr. N. Doyle on 20 May 2010
Format: Hardcover
I write this review on may 20 2010, central Bangkok has been ripped apart, burnt tires and bodies litter the streets, while redshirt protesters set fire to town halls across the country. Never has Handley's book seemed more important, Thailand can only progress if it can talk openly about its king. This book needs to be compulsory for every Thai and anyone with a passing interest in Thailand.

Mr Handley and those Thais that worked with him to write this book did so at great personal risk from Thailand's draconian lese majeste laws, and because of its publication mr Handley will never set foot in Thailand again. Truly a brave and important book, the like of which we see very little in the modern world.
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4.0 out of 5 starsNew Perspective to a Thai
By Saraburian on 21 Sept. 2006
Format: Hardcover
As someone who spent my childhood in upcountry Thailand, went to state schools there and later in Bangkok and had an advance degree from a US University, I thought i would share with my countrymen how we perceive the King. My conversations with friends, colleagues, and most of the comments here by Thai readers/reviewers say I was totally wrong.

The book hits the nail in its head when it says that most thai my generation (I was born in the turbulent year 1976, when the right-wing government crushed student protestors and the King declared the event "the saddest day in Thai history") have always seen the King in the best of lights - and it was not something that wasn't well-planned by someone. In retrospect, I agree with the author about how the palace has orchestrated all their efforts on setting the royals in the best of lights, i.e. making all the royal projects look far more important and successful than their real worths by downplaying efforts by governments, presenting the royals in the way of super-human, in every aspect possible. When I was a young adult, I did not have a second thought about what the media was protraying the king and the royal family, i accepted it as truths and I don't have any reason to believe that most of my countrymen would see things otherwise - everything was so grand, so well orchestrated and thus so believeable.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Do not bring this to Thailand as this is a banned book there

Published 19 months ago by Richard Fox
1.0 out of 5 starsMisleading and bias

This book is just ridiculous. The title of the book itself 'The King Never Smiles' already shows how bias and lack of knowledge the author is. Read more

Published on 13 Dec. 2013 by Pko
5.0 out of 5 starsMust read

The book that Thai people and someone who have to live in Thailand must read.You can't find out this kind of information in Thai mass media. Read more

Published on 25 July 2012 by Toni
2.0 out of 5 starsuninformed hatchet job

The full text of the Grant Evan's review excerpted on the Amazon page actually rips Handley's central thesis to shreds. Read more

Published on 22 Dec. 2009 by Narizdura La Carretera
3.0 out of 5 starsthe world's longest serving head of state - a politcal book - not the...

Bhumibol Adulyadej - known as Rama IX. in the western world - reigns since 9 June 1946. He is the world's longest-serving current head of state and the longest-serving monarch in... Read more

Published on 16 May 2009 by Amelrode
1.0 out of 5 starsPolitical Game for sure

Waste my money, You can try to buy it and read it but i as i read through this author really didn't know anything at all about thailand. Read more

Published on 24 Aug. 2007 by Review
3.0 out of 5 starsThought-provoking but too many hearsays

It is an interesting read, but definitely not an academic text. Good for casual light-reading. The book provides useful analysis of many behind-the-scene actions, but I am... Read more

Published on 7 Feb. 2007 by JAT

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