Tom Plate’s conversations with Thaksin reviewed

Readers may recall our brief post a couple of weeks ago regarding Tom Plate’s new book of conversations with Thaksin Shinawatra in the series “Giants of Asia.”

The book’s full title is Conversations With Thaksin: From Exile To Deliverance: Thailand’s Populist Tycoon Tells His Story (Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2011).

The book is apparently still subject to an informal ban by Asia Books and Kinokunya in Bangkok.

Now Pavin Chachavalpongpun, the most active commentator on all things political in Thailand, has a review of the book available at the ISEAS  website.

The review mentions a couple of interesting things. For example,it says a

central theme is the complex relationship between Thaksin and the palace. Although the author does not elaborate on many details – perhaps for fear of being charged under Thailand’s very strict lese majeste laws – readers will be able to piece together the links between Thaksin, the coup and the role of the palace.

Mr Plate portrays Thaksin as being ‘misunderstood’ by the royalists.

“Misunderstood” is perhaps the wrong word when the Wikileaks cables are considered. That there was a war against Thaksin is true and that Thaksin responded, especially against Prem Tinsulanond as schemer-in-chief for the palace is true.