Saying the Unsayable: Monarchy and Democracy in Thailand: 47 [Paperback] Ivarsson, S?ren and Isager, Lotte

Thailand's monarchy sits at the heart of a paradox: officially constitutional, yet untouchable by public discourse. This collection of essays examines what happens when a democratic society maintains a sacred institution immune to criticism, where lèse-majesté laws make even questioning the monarchy a criminal act. Editors Søren Ivarsson and Lotte Isager bring together scholars who navigate the treacherous waters of Thai political culture, exploring how silence around royal power shapes everything from media to street protests. Written before the 2014 coup but prescient about Thailand's ongoing tensions, this academic work offers rare analysis of a topic most Thais still cannot safely discuss. Dense and rigorous, but essential reading if you want to understand why Thailand's democracy keeps fracturing along the same fault lines.