The Lost Territories

Shane Strate

Shane Strate

The Lost Territories

Thailand’s History of National Humiliation

In: Southeast Asia: Politics, Meaning, and Memory, 58

Edited by: David P. Chandler and Rita Smith Kipp

University of Hawaii Press | 2015

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824854379

Overview
Contents

About this book

It is a cherished belief among Thai people that their country was never colonized. Yet politicians, scholars, and other media figures chronically inveigh against Western colonialism and the imperialist theft of Thai territory. Thai historians insist that the country adapted to the Western-dominated world order more successfully than other Southeast Asian kingdoms and celebrate their proud history of independence. But many Thai leaders view the West as a threat and portray Thailand as a victim. Clearly Thailand's relationship with the West is ambivalent.

The Lost Territories explores this conundrum by examining two important and contrasting strands of Thai historiography: the well-known Royal-Nationalist ideology, which celebrates Thailand's long history of uninterrupted independence; and what the author terms "National Humiliation discourse," its mirror image. Shane Strate examines the origins and consequences of National Humiliation discourse, showing how the modern Thai state has used the idea of national humiliation to sponsor a form of anti-Western nationalism. Unlike triumphalist Royal-Nationalist narratives, National Humiliation history depicts Thailand as a victim of Western imperialist bullying. Focusing on key themes such as extraterritoriality, trade imbalances, and territorial loss, National Humiliation history maintains that the West impeded Thailand's development even while professing its support and cooperation. Although the state remains the hero in this narrative, it is a tragic heroism defined by suffering and foreign oppression.

Through his insightful analysis of state and media sources, Strate demonstrates how Thai politicians have deployed National Humiliation imagery in support of ethnic chauvinism and military expansion. He shows how the discourse became the ideological foundation of Thailand's irredentist strategy, the state's anti-Catholic campaign, and its acceptance of pan-Asianism during World War II; and how the "state as victim" narrative has been used by politicians to redefine Thai identity and elevate the military into the role of national savior. The Lost Territories will be of particular interest to historians and political scientists for the light it sheds on many episodes of Thai foreign policy, including the contemporary dispute over Preah Vihear. The book's analysis of the manipulation of historical memory will interest academics exploring similar phenomena worldwide.

Author information

StrateShane:

Shane Strate is assistant professor of history at Kent State University.

Reviews

Tamara Loos, Cornell University:
The Lost Territories highlights an enduring aspect of Thai national identity and self-perception: the nation as both hero and victim. Shane Strate offers persuasive historical detail that strongly supports his convincing account of how this narrative of trauma is revived at key moments in Thailand’s history.

. . . provides a refreshing new perspective on twentieth-century Thai history, particularly on Thailand's role in and around the Second World War.

The book is particularly useful, therefore, to historians and political scientists and could be helpfully integrated into analyses currently underway about Thailand’s recent political upheavals.

The Lost Territories: Thailand’s History of National Humiliation by Shane Strate discusses the pertinent topic of how national humiliation has been politically exploited, and thus became politically useful, in supporting ethnic chauvinism and military expansion. . . intellectually stimulating. It is easy to read.

Frontmatter Free access PDF PDF	i
Contents Free access PDF PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Free access PDF PDF	ix
Introduction: The Idea of “Loss” in Thai Historical Narratives Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	1
1. Constructing Loss: Repealing the Unequal Treaties in Siam Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	24
2. The Birth of National Humiliation Discourse Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	37
3. National Humiliation and Anti-Catholicism Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	64
4. Thailand and Pan-Asianism Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	94
5. 1946: Postwar Reconciliation and the Loss Reimagined Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	123
6. Preah Vihear: A Thai Symbol of National Humiliation Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	158
Conclusion Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	189
Notes Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	197
Bibliography Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	227
Index Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	239

The Lost Territories

Thailand’s History of National Humiliation

Details

Formats