The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej

Firstly, I am what the author, Paul Handley, would call a 4th Generation Chakri. In fact, my family was mentioned in the book. Secondly, I am an American by birth and have been happy living here by choice. My point is that I can take a look at this book from a more global perspective. I must admit though that the most difficult part in the beginning was to overcome the unfortunate decision of Mr. Handley to address the king and the royal family by their first names. This clearly shows his own bias and personnal resentment of the subject of his book even though supposedly, this was an unbiased journalistic piece. Give me a break. His convenient excuse will be that he is not a Thai and more importantly an American so it is natural for him to have done that. I just have to say that even the U.S. Congress refers to the King as His Majesty. Indeed, in the book, he refers to the British royals as Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana.

None the less, if you are able to get over this, the book was hard to put down for me and quite rivetting. It was a good chronological summary of the modern Thai history. The gossip was of course what was rivetting. Like all gossips, there is probably some truth but one can not tell where the truth lies. For me personnally having missed the events that occurred early on due to age and the later events due to having moved to the U.S., the book was a fast read. Most of the incidents have been around the family gathering but it was a good review of the details none the less. As another reviewer had mentioned, if you are not somewhat familiar with Thai names and the major players, you have no reason to like this book or even be reading this review.

With regards to the major theme, that the king is a proponent of dhammocracy over democracy, I say "so what"? Mr. Handley's other poorly hidden bias was that the reader was to accept that U.S. democracy is inherently better (better for the U.S. but not necessarily for Thailand, as a friend of mine used to say and as we are learning in the MiddleEast now) for all and that for some unexplained reason, the king's support for dhammocracy is bad. He was, in fact, schizophrenic in his assessment of dhammocracy and by the end of the book pretty much changed his criticism of the monarchy to a lack of a strong succession plan. It is as if Mr. Handley wants us to believe that the king is different from other charismatic leaders such as Napolean or Jefferson or Bush or Welch or Gates in trying to gain allegiance, pass agendas, and pursue success the way they see them. On a positive note, his whole explanation and articulation of the dhammocracy theory were insightful and easily understood in my opinion. I enjoyed reading that as much as the gossip part.

In summary, if this book was called "Leadership Lessons from the Longest Reigning Monarch" and the private life gossips tuned down a bit, it would be a NY Times best seller. One can not deny that after reading this book one can conclude that King Bhumipol is a genius in the art of leading. We are constantly interested in how people like Jack Welch or Thomas Jefferson or George Bush or Bill Gates became successful. There are definitely many lessons on how King Bhumipol continues to be successful in this book although it is implicit that the author is criticising the methods. I must admit that I just do not see how an unknown journalist can criticise management method of one of the most successful leaders in modern history. The answer is he can not and this is why the book was supposedly just an unbiased commentary (A biased journalist? You're kidding, right?). As it is, it will be popular with people who enjoy reading gossip (nothing wrong with that) about the Thai royal family.

Again, given my background I couldn't put it down and for that I gave it a 4 stars.

As a Thai person, it really is hard to write this review objectively. Nonetheless, I will try to judge this book based on its academic merits.

And, that would bring us to the point. As an academic book (?), this title fares poorly. Personally, I think it could be compared to a half-baked report of an undergrad student who just tries to beat the deadline (it initially plans to release during the ceremony of his majesty's 60th years on the throne.)

Mr. Handley claims to live in Thailand over 13 years, but he really, hardly knows anything historically during that 13 years at all. As a result, he reflects his half-baked knowledge all over the book.

For example, he claims that his majesty was raised in a "spacious house, center of Bangkok"... funny. Anybody who is over 50 years will know that the now Siam Square is nothing but a slum before Siam Square and Faculty of Dentistry of Chulalongkorn University was build about 40 years ago. And Sapratum Palace is anything but spacious. and that is just beginning. If one asks scholar who really studies Thailand, they will point out factual error (not opinionated error) in almost every page. I do not want to be very critical of him, but it really irritates me how poorly 'research' (if he did that) he did for the book. I feel that he coat the gimmick of being critical to the king so that he can see more books. Oh, and using so called 'palace insider' to tell you those 'hush-hush' does not consider as a reseach,OK? Even if you claim that those informers couldn't reveal themselves in order to avoid lese majeste, I am more than willing to bet that those insiders are not real insiders, or even exist at all. haha..

His majesty used to say that 'If the King could do no wrong, then he would be wrong' and allow people to criticize him objectively (based on his speech during his majesty birth day, Dec 5, 2005). But criticizing and slandering is totally different. If you want to do it, at least do it with some credibility.

Well... I would categorize this book along with "IBM and Holocaust" and "Holy blood, Holy Grail": a book that was born because the author wants to get rich, and will do anything at any cost to be so, even if it means using a very poor research and insists that it is very well done and very real. "Believe me!", they will shout, but time will tell that there is nothing more than smoke and mirror. "The revolutionary King" is a better read, at least the author used to be close to his majesty. Or if you want historical book about Thailand, anybook from Chris Baker or Nithi Eawsriwong will be a much better choice (or, even Chitr Phumsak)

That reminds me of something, hey Mr. Handley, give my money back!

First, let me mention that this book will be highly offensive to Thai people, so don't consider giving it as a gift. Next, King B certainly has made mistakes and was not always the perfect democrat but when viewed in the context of Asian history in the 20th century, he is certainly one of the most accomplished, progressive, and imaginative rulers. The author presents compelling evidence about the dark days of King B's early reign and this area was treated well by the author. But his treatment of King B in later years was particularly harsh, almost spiteful. Also, I'd like to mention that many constitutional monarchs have things done in their name by advisers, generals, and other figures but in fact the monarch was not intentionally involved - they can be coerced or deceived, especially if threats to expose bad princes and princesses are made. King B's contributions to sustainable development, spritual versus material life, and other important areas are discounted or ignored in the book. Thai people revere him because he has earned their respect over the years, and in fact he has been instrumental in preventing a lot of strife that we don't know about re: coup d'etats, etc. So I am not going to say King B is without fault and the book is well presented in some ways, but from the outset, the title has already judged him (The King Never Smiles), so how can we expect this to be a fair and balanced treatment? Why doesn't Hadley use his 15 years experience in southeast Asia to rake over Malaysia's Mahathir instead, as he surely is ripe for a critical biography? Anyway, I fear for the future of Thailand upon the passing of King B because only one of his children comes close to his level of integrity and genuine care for the people - the son is really bad news.

For those of you unfamiliar, King B (now about 80) was an Olympic medalist who made his own boat, wrote numerous books, pioneered sustainable agriculture and community schemes, etc, etc, like a Ben Franklin of incredible talents.

It's bizarre that I, an American living in the United States, hesitate to post this review. That basically summarizes the current perverse situation created by the Thai monarchy. I fear my various connections to Thailand will be blocked if I state a simple opinion: That this is a great book. Fascinating. Even-handed. I highly recommend it. The picture of King Bhumipol (pronounced "Pumipon") presented here is both sympathetic and critical. From this biography, I conclude that King Bhumipol is the best-case-scenario king. He took his job seriously, is hard working and talented, empathetic, dedicated to the welfare of the people. However, he is a king, and monarchy is still a bad choice relative to democracy for all the reasons outlined by Thomas Paine 230 years ago in "Common Sense," which is freely available online. (I hope that book is not banned in Thailand; this one is.) Even the best king cannot magically know the will of the people. It seems that this king, in trying to be the best possible king, came to believe his own hype: that he can magically know the will of the people, so the people are represented through him. Therefore, democracy was/is not a big priority for him. As Handley explains, King Bhumipol ruled through the Cold War; because stability was his primary concern, he has downplayed the importance of democracy and delayed the transition to full democracy. Also, as pointed out in "Common Sense," good kings may be followed by horrible kings. `Nuff said on that point. OK, there it is. We have free speech in this country and I will use that freedom. Let the chips fall where they may.

This book is a unique historical document that opened my eyes with respect to several moments in Thai history and what the events of these moments meant to Thailand.

The monarchy in Thailand is revered to an extent that would be unthinkable in Europe. What the book in my opinion shows is that this reverence is for a large part due to a carefully orchestrated strategy to raise the Chakri monarchy from an irrelevant position in the forties to its current power. It says a lot that in the old issues of Bangkok Post that are now distributed as an attachment because of their 60 year anniversary the monarchy and the royal family are not mentioned once.

The criticism that the writer has with respect to the King's ideas towards democracy are personal and i dont share them. Not every country is suited for the same kind of democracy at various points in time. And what does democracy really mean in a country where influential figures can buy the votes of the uneducated masses for 5 USD or a couple of bottles of fish sauce. The guidance of the King, although maybe sometimes lacking democratic principles, have guided Thailand through very rumultuous years and most probably the country would have looked very diffrerent without him.

It is interesting to note that the Thas who review this book are almost without exception extremely negative (some can not even have read the book based on the review date) and the foreigners are almost all very positive. Actually this proves the whole poin t of the book. The red threat of the book, that the king has all the time pulled the strings behind Thailand's development, and did this partly by making himself larger than life, has worked. It has worked so well that Thais can not stand any criticism or even an objective opinion with respect to the monarchy. In the Bangkok Post on the occasion of the Queen's birthday there was a full page ad by one of the country's leading companies where it said that The Queen's Generosity, Leadership and good deeds are known in al corners of the world. This actually sounds more what you expect in North Korea in comments about their leadership than what you expect in a liberal and democratic country.

But even if all criticism is true (and I must say the book is extremely convincing) Thailand is a great, properous and happy country and one of the best places in the world to live, and this has been greatly due to the tireless efforts of the King over the past 60 years on the throne.

I hope many people who do research about Thailand to read this book. If you do resarch and read the archives, especially from foreign library or national archive located aboard. It's quite clear that the King was involved in political and social transformation by using his clever and professional maneuvering. The most recent example just happened this year when the king call for the courts to resolve the political deadlock in Thailand. Most Thai people regarded it as a way to help relieve the political tension. I agree with them only partly because the king is intervening the politics and thus undemcratic. However, no media or newspaper even grasp the point and continue praise for his solution, giving up the all prior solution offered by each coalition. I consider his way aqs a very undemocratic and destroy the apolitcal image. Moreover, the king always call for sufficient economy but never call for social equility, where there is no privileged class on the top of the society. In the point, it may well interpreted that the king favour the hierachy of society appeared during Sukothai period. (Dhammaraja).

I've read some part of the book. It's really lucid and deeply researched. The incomplete data is understandable and acceptable because he is doing something that virtually nobody dared to speak frankly. The censorship from the court, for example is very infuential and keep censor what will destroy the image of insitution. The possible sources have to come from foreign country and closed person.

Personally, if you ask me, I also believe that everything, including sacredness of Thai monarchy is made up by a group of people who benefit a lot from that up to the present day. We know the fact only one side. Media and Press in Thailand dare not speak about the truth in the other side or it may have the interest to protect the instituion and thus always admire the king's talent and devotion to local development whioh is true only one side. I find that this book can answer a lot of questions and hope it will build the debate among scholar who is keen on Thailand.

With the violent content, it look like Thai govenment has blocked selling this book already. I'm disappointed and will try to find it to read.I believe the sacredness is a myth. Truth will be viable when people accept it. This is always the case for politics around the world.

This is a well researched commentary on the Chakri Thai monarchy. I think the King is an outstanding person and ruler. I read Stevenson's book which was poorly researched and had many errors...many more than some of the few errors which appear in the Handley treatise. It is a very big mystery about the death of His Majesty Ananda. I just don't think he accidently shot himself between the eyes! But I firmly believe that his brother is completely innocent of any involvement. The most remarkable person in this 80+ year old story is the mother of Ananda and Bumiphol. I met her in Chiang Rai a few years before her death and chatted with her for a few moments. She was a remarkable person, a fine mother, a loyal Thai and a very charming person. As a Mom ... she is number #1. King Bumiphol is a survivor with excellent behavior and history. He deserves all of the accolades attributed to him on his 60th year celebration of his reign. I disagree with Handley when he suggests that the King has somehow and in any way retarded the progress of democracy and a republican form of government in Thailand. And I do remember watching the King chat with Chamlong for a few minutes and Suchinda for 45 minutes after the tragedy of 1992 when a friend of mine from New Zealand was executed by the Thai police/military along with many other Thai citizens. The King is a hero in my estimation. Long live the King. I appreciate and play many of his compositions and he has very creative musical ability. There is no doubt that this book will never be sold in Thailand because of the 'lese majeste ' comments about the Queen, the prince and the youngest daughter. I do believe what I have heard from many, many Thai citizens. There will be no Rama X! At the present moment it is a relief to have the King as a revered monarch since there really is no government in Thailand! Personally I think there are hard times ahead with TRT party and their leader still capable of acquiring of majority of the Thai electorate to support them...and when this happens there will most likely be violence and death from the opposition protest and police and miitary reaction. I love Thailand, I love the Thai people, I love the King and the Queen. It will be a most difficult time when they pass on from this situation in the LOS = Land of Smiles! It is a LOS because of King Bumiphol and Queen Sirikit

There is plenty of speculation in this book but if you have lived in Thailand for any amount of time you realize that much of it is warranted. There is little to no open dialogue in the Thai press or English language Thai newspapers concerning the royal family, however there is plenty of controversy behind the scenes. The King of Thailand is a bit of an enigma to the rest of the world as he's the longest reigning monarch but lives much of his life behind a carefully constructed image that's only accessible through trusted royal handlers. This book does a lot of in depth examination at what motivations the royal family in Thailand has in maintaining and keeping power. It's far from being a libelous or tabloid like piece of work like many Thais fear it may be. It's an honest and insightful look into the power struggles in Thailand and the psyche of the Thai people as a whole. Well worth the read.

Even a casual visitor to Thailand will not fail to notice the deep reverence the Thai people seem to have for their king. His Majesty's portraits are everywhere. Before a movie starts, everyone stands at attention when the royal anthem is struck and the king's face appears on the screen. Thai sportsmen dedicate their victories to the king. In some remote quarters, I have even seen offerings of incense placed before portraits of the king.

Such reverence that the Thai people hold for their king is neither incidental or accidental. From the first few years in school, Thai kids have been indoctrinated with the 3 pillars of Thai society - Nation, Religion and King. The military channels seem totally dedicated to praising the monarchy. Official publications are full of words of wisdom from the palace. Like faithful followers of any influential religion, the vast majority of Thais never question these teachings and propaganda. Even fewer would bother (or dare) to discuss the more down-to-earth aspects of the "heavenly kings" who once ruled their great kingdom. Apart from laws that forbid anyone from showing disrespect to the king by criticising the institution, many Thais and even some well-educated, thinking foreigners who have seen the rest of the world seem to hold complete faith in the image of a perfect Dhammaraja.

Paul M Handley proposes in his book The King Never Smiles, that dhammarajas are made and not born. And this dhammaraja was made by a large number of shrewd princes and military propagandists, not just to preserve Thailand's monarchy per se, but also to reserve for themselves, a huge slice of Thailand's power pie.

The book begins at the beginning. The king's childhood in the US and Europe, his return to Thailand, Ananda's death, Phibun's thinly disguised plot to make a republic out of Thailand and Sarit's aggressive campaign to revive the divinity of the monarchy, turning everyone into obedient servants once more. The threat of communism, the Vietnam War, countless military coups to replace elected civilian governments, the great massacres of 1973, 1976 until the great Suchinda drama of 1992.

In the official version of history, the king's influence is often left out in the daily running of the country. This is important. Unlike elected office bearers who are constantly under scrutiny to reveal warts and all, the perfect dhammaraja must only appear in the limelight at critical moments and his actions must put a period to any tense face-off. A flawless, living Buddha must only be seen performing acts of charity in a people-centred, apolitical way. Everything must be embellished and orchestrated to the finest detail. The exact opposite of reality TV. The act is imperfect, but it's enough to fool a basically monolingual population without a global outlook.

In this book, Paul Handley attempts to put matters in perspective. Putting the king himself under scrutiny, he skillfully adds a critical piece to the whole seemingly senseless puzzle of Thailand's recent history and political developments. Even though Handley had no hidden camera installed in the palace, his profound observations, analysis and conjectures on the king's obvious intervention, lack of intervention and even participation in various less than glorifying happenings are absolutely plausible.

With all the events in Thailand's recent history neatly woven together, Handley adds the important element of motive to all the massacres and abuse of human rights for which the military is often blamed. This makes the book a really engaging and sometimes shocking read. In spite of the tonnes of facts, figures and dates, it's really quite absorbing.

However, apart from the more serious "news" that are reported in depth, there is quite a bit of "tabloid" info in the book. I feel that Handley shouldn't have devoted so much of the book to chapters like Family Headches and Annus Horibilis.

When I first saw this book at the stores in Singapore a couple of years ago, I was instantly convinced that it would be banned in Thailand. True enough, the issue is still too sensitive in Thailand. Too many people worship the monarchy as if the king were a demi-god. Too many powerful people depend on this faith to secure their place in the kingdom. The peaceful situation in Thailand today rests a lot on ignorance. To many Thais, this book would seem like pure blasphemy, but I think anyone who wants to write a review on this book should first read it well and understand it as just another point of view. Nobody who has any involment in politics is perfect. There is nothing wrong with loving a king who isn't perfect.

[[ASIN:9810744323 Spellbound In Chiangmai]]

[[ASIN:1885211759 Travelers' Tales Thailand: True Stories]]

[[ASIN:9748627047 Wondering into Thai culture, or, Thai whys, and otherwise]]

[[ASIN:9749303083 Siam Smiles Secrets of the Thais]]

[[ASIN:981054832X Confessions of a Bangkok Private Eye: True stories from the case files of Warren Olson]]

[[ASIN:9810539185 Thai Girl]]

[[ASIN:0867194731 "Hello My Big Big Honey!" Love Letters to Bangkok Bar Girls and Their Revealing Interviews]]

This book is scholarly and engaging; I have to believe that Handley was barred from entering the Kingdom as persona non-grata after publishing it. I gave it 4 stars only because it takes a lot of coffee to get through the minutia. But without that level of detail, the author would be at risk of being ridiculed for trying to do a hatchet job on Thailand's Royal Family. The reality is, the King is a product of his time, working in a country beset by ignorance and self-serving "influential families." Most Thais would be horrified to read this book, and will probably reject it out of hand. But their school system and indoctrination will never allow them to read this dispassionately. Having lived in Thailand, I understand why Thai's who have reviewed this book are horrified by it, but as a Westerner, I just view it as a solid piece of historical inquiry. I enjoy life in the Kingdom and the unique Thai conviviality and sense of fun; this book just gives me a better perspective on the reasons for Thailand being the way it is today.