Pridi by Pridi: Selected Writing on Life, Politics, and Economy

This title is printed to order. This book may have been self-published. If so, we cannot guarantee the quality of the content. In the main most books will have gone through the editing process however some may not. We therefore suggest that you be aware of this before ordering this book. If in doubt check either the author or publisher’s details as we are unable to accept any returns unless they are faulty. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Pridi Banomyong (1900-83) was one of the greatest figures in 20th-century Thailand. At the age of just 27, he started the movement which led to the 1932 revolution against Thailand’s absolute monarchy. Through the 1930s, he introduced a wide range of reforms in law, local administration, economic policy, and foreign affairs. During World War II, he formed the Seri Thai resistance movement against the Japanese occupation. After the war, he served briefly as prime minister and became deeply involved in the politics of the Asian region during decolonization. From 1947 onwards, Pridi was opposed by US-backed militarists who seized power by coup, murdered his associates, overturned many of his liberal reforms, and established dictatorial rule. In 1949 he fled into exile and never returned. This collection contains 19 selections from Pridi’s writings, speeches, and interviews which focus on his personal background and his active political career from 1932 to 1949. They include a new translation of the outline economic plan of 1932, which still excites controversy today. They also include English translations of Pridi’s most important writings about the 1932 revolution, the Seri Thai movement, the monarchy, and his contemporaries.