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Book Review: The History of Thailand
by Lang Reid
 Another book offering to chronicle the
history of Thailand, but finally here is one that lives up to the promise.
Co-written by Chris Baker, a teacher of Asian history at Cambridge
University, and Pasuk Phongpaichit, a professor of Economics at
Chulalongkorn University (ISBN 0-521-01647-9, Cambridge University Press,
2005) they have the credentials needed to produce a book of high caliber. A
previous publication in 2004 by this pair was “Thaksin: The Business of
Politics in Thailand” which I reviewed last year.
There is nothing superficial about this book and its dissection of the
periods in history that have held particular importance to the building of
the country now known as Thailand. Page 8 gives a credible explanation of
how the country received its original name of Siam. “Ayutthaya emerged as
the dominant centre in the late fourteenth century. The Chinese called this
region Xian, which the Portuguese converted into Siam.”
Every page contains fascinating snippets, as well as important details of
the history. For example, the Privy Purse Bureau established the Siam
Commercial Bank in the early 1900’s to help prop up failing industries,
after private banks went bust attempting to keep the rice industry going.
When the previously dominant households could no longer service their loans,
the Privy Purse then foreclosed, adding to its own power.
The book is divided into chapters covering the pre-Bangkok era; 1760-1860;
reforms 1850-1910; peasants, merchants and officials 1870-1930; nationalism
1910-1940; the American era 1940-1960; ideologies 1940-1970; globalization
and mass society 1970 onwards and politics 1970 and onwards. As can be seen,
there is much overlapping in this style of grouping, but it is not such as
to become confusing, but rather reinforces previous chapters as you read
through.
As you would expect of a scholarly piece of work, at the end of the book is
to be found Notes relating to references in the chapters, a glossary of
names, suggested readings referring to each chapter and an index. At the
front of the book is a list of the illustrations (many of them original
archived photographs), maps, a list of abbreviations, a glossary and
chronology.
That particularly ‘sticky’ period in Thai national politics during WW II is
covered dispassionately and I believe shows the true reasons for the
vacillations, where Thailand valiantly attempted to make sure that they were
on the side of whichever the winners were. Phibun is quoted as having said,
“Which side do you think will lose this war? That side is our enemy.”
A serious book, but not written in the stuffy style of a textbook. This is
one of the definitive books of this genre. This is one that all expat
households should have on the shelves. If you are going to live in this
country, you should know its history. The History of Thailand will give it
to you (and your children) and your spouse, as I have noted that the Thai
population is in general abysmally ignorant of their own turbulent history.
At B. 895 it is a very worthwhile investment in this country, especially all
those who have decided to make Thailand their home.
Mott’s CD review: Ian Hunter and The Rant Band featuring Mick Ralphs
Just Another Night - DVD
Mott the Dog
 4 Stars ****
“Just Another Night” is the second DVD release from Ian Hunter in
just over two years. The first was recorded in Oslo Norway - a one off
concert put on for DVD. Ian Hunter performed with guitarist Andy York, a
put together local band, and a forty piece string section. The set list
was carefully worked out to show off Ian Hunter’s songs that would
benefit from being played in this environment. Most of it works very
well, but in general leaves the viewer with a slight feeling of
dissatisfaction, as the whole concert comes across more Manilow than
Hunter. With Hunter himself often looking out of place at the front of
the stage, with nearly fifty musicians behind him, standing alone in
black, no customary guitar slung round his neck, hiding behind his
omnipresent shades.
“Just Another Night” is a different matter altogether, Ian Hunter and
the Rant Band, featuring long time mate and original lead guitarist from
Mott The Hoople, and founding member of Bad Company Mick Ralphs. The
previous year’s tour of England had been the first time Hunter and
Ralphs had been on a stage together for over thirty years. Ralphs great
fear of flying was always a huge burden to him touring internationally
or across the America’s. So it was a nice little niche for Ralph’s to
team back up with Ian Hunter, for the English leg of his tour to stretch
his legs and axe picking fingers on the boards again.
The previous year this had worked with devastating effect with both
Hunter and Ralphs blowing up a storm, enjoying playing on the same stage
again, spurring each other on to greater heights. The set list was
magnificent, running at over two and a half hours, with Ralphs soloing
away to his heart’s delight (and the audience’s). Ralphs even grabs the
spotlight for a solo run through the old B.B. King Chestnut ‘Hideaway’
which Ralphs tears apart and rips through with great crescendos.
The final encore finishes off with a rockin’ version of Little Richards’
‘Keep-a Knockin’ which lifts the roof off the gaff. Unfortunately the
following year’s tour lacked the complete enthusiasm of the previous
tour, especially by the time of the closing date of the tour when this
concert was recorded. The set list is a little strange for starters,
opening with ‘Rest In Peace’, a number once described by Mott The
Hoople’s old bass player Overend Watts as, “A nice quiet little ditty we
used to do mid-set to allow us to catch our breath.” So, not the most
flash of starts (the last tour had opened with the rock ‘n’ roll ‘One of
the Boys’.)
Mick Ralphs himself looks uninspired to take the lead guitar work and
only occasionally steps forward to let go, definitely no solo number.
Ian Hunter is his usual amiable self throughout, although the old throat
is showing definite signs of wear and tear after a long tour. It’s a
shame as the wonderful Angel Air had recorded one of the 2002 concerts
for release on DVD and CD, at The Opera House Manchester England which
caught the band in full flight. I know, as I have a highly prized
bootleg of the event (A Night At The Opera House). Unfortunately, due to
contractual problems, this was not possible, so Secret records took on
the job the following year and this is the result, a great concert, but
on its school report would have had “could have done better”. Maybe just
recording the final concert of a tour limited their options a little.
After the rather lacklustre opening the band is led by Hunter into the
Mott the Hoople standard bearer (from way back in 1969 opening song of
side two of Mott The Hoople’s debut album, and played at every Mott The
Hoople concert until their untimely demise in 1974) “Rock ‘n’ Roll
Queen”. The band immediately get their boots on and come roaring in
behind Hunter, and although Ralphs seems a little restrained, the same
cannot be said for the rest of the boys. Andy York (Moonlighting from
John Cougar Mellencamp’s band) tears into his axe at every opportunity,
whilst being given solid support from the boys in the backline.
Particular attention should be mentioned for the magnificent drumming
skills of long time Ian Hunter band member Steve Holly, a star in his
own right. Ian Gibbons (ex-Kinks) puts on a good show on the keyboards
whilst allowing the lead guitars to shine; Gus Goad on bass is obviously
having the time of his life.
The rest of the concert rushes along in typical Hunter style with some
of the best songs to come out of the British Isles, including the
poignant “I Wish I Was Your Mother”, most of the Hit Singles from both
Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter’s Solo career, although perhaps not
enough songs from Ian Hunter’s last solo album “Rant” (2002). Leaving
out “Good Samaritan” is almost a Rock ‘n’ Roll criminal act.
Central to the concert is a massive version of “The Truth, The Whole
Truth, Nuthin’ But The Truth” from Ian Hunter’s first solo album (1975),
which is as solid a slab of Rock as it gets. In a two hour concert most
of the songs that you would expect are here, which is further helped by
a great medley of songs, old and new, wrapped inside this band’s version
of “The Journey”. But watch out as all through the concert Ian Hunter
slips in little snippets of crowd pleasers.
The whole show is brought to a dramatic conclusion when out onto the
stage are brought Brian May of Queen fame, and Joe Elliot of Def
Leapard. Brian May is delightful, wearing an outrageous wig, and
throwing perfect shapes all across the stage, ripping the notes out of
“All The Way From Memphis”. This finally gives Mick Ralphs a nudge, too,
who gets it on, whilst Andy York goes ape at the side of the stage. This
three pronged axe attack is simply devastating.
So all in all a great package (including a lengthy interview with the
man himself, plus footage of the band’s sound checking, which is quite
amusing). It’s not the greatest concert ever from Mr. Hunter and his
merry gang, but certainly worth your attention. If you want a taster,
get down to TQ’s famous Friday Rock ‘n’ Roll Happy Hour on Friday’s and
ask the DJ to put on “All The Way From Memphis” from this collection to
see how Rock ‘n’ Roll should be played.
The Rant Band
Ian Hunter: Vocals, Guitar, and Keyboards
Mick Ralphs: Lead Guitar
Andy York: Lead Guitar
Gus Goad: Bass Guitar
Steve Holly: Drums
Ian Gibbons: Keyboards
Songs
Rest In Peace, Rock ‘n’ Roll Queen, Once Bitten Twice Shy, Twisted
Steel, I Wish I Was Your Mother, Knees Of My Heart, 23A Swan Hill, Irene
Wilde, The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nuthin’ But The Truth, Roller Ball,
Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square, Roll Away the Stone. Saturday
Gigs,All The Young Dudes, The Journey, Dead Man Walkin’, Just Another
Night, Cleveland Rocks, Michael Picasso, Standin’ In My Light, All The
Way From Memphis.
To contact Mott the
Dog email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mott-the-dog.com
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