Thailand: Buddhist Kingdom as Modern Nation-State

Rating:
Summary: Good text on Thailand
Review: I read this book for a class I took in college on Western influence in non-Western countries. I chose Thailand because it is the only nation in east Asia that has never been conquered by a European nation. I chose this book to read about Thailand because it gives a concise but comprehensive look at Thailand's history starting from aboriginal times to the modern day; post Cold War. The book also addresses the role Buddhism has played in this country's history. This book is easy to read, and worth reading. I learned many things from it, including the fact that the percentage of Thai women engaged in prostitution is less than most of its neighbors. It just happens that it is legal in Thailand, hence the international reknown.

Rating:
Summary: Good text on Thailand
Review: I read this book for a class I took in college on Western influence in non-Western countries. I chose Thailand because it is the only nation in east Asia that has never been conquered by a European nation. I chose this book to read about Thailand because it gives a concise but comprehensive look at Thailand's history starting from aboriginal times to the modern day; post Cold War. The book also addresses the role Buddhism has played in this country's history. This book is easy to read, and worth reading. I learned many things from it, including the fact that the percentage of Thai women engaged in prostitution is less than most of its neighbors. It just happens that it is legal in Thailand, hence the international reknown.