Power, Protection and Magic in Thailand
The Cosmos of a Southern Policeman
Authored by: Craig J. ReynoldsPlease read Conditions of use before downloading the formats.
Description
This biographical study of an unusual southern policeman explores the relationship between religion and power in Thailand during the early twentieth century when parts of the country were remote and banditry was rife. Khun Phan (1898–2006), known as Lion Lawman, sometimes used rather too much lethal force in carrying out his orders. He was the most famous graduate of a monastic academy in the mid-south, whose senior teachers imparted occult knowledge favoured by fighters on both sides of the law. Khun Phan imbibed this knowledge to confront the risks and uncertainty that lay ahead and bolster his confidence and self-reliance for his struggle with adversaries.
Against the background of national events, the story is rooted in the mid-south where the policeman was born and died. Based on a wide range of works in Thai language, on field trips to the region and on interviews with local and regional scholars as well as the policeman’s descendants, this generously illustrated book, accompanied by short video clips, brings to life the distinctive environment of the lakes district on the Malay Peninsula.
Details
- ISBN (print):
- 9781760463168
- ISBN (online):
- 9781760463175
- Publication date:
- Oct 2019
- Note:
- Asian Studies Series Monograph 12
- Imprint:
- ANU Press
- DOI:
- http://doi.org/10.22459/PPMT.2019
- Series:
- Asian Studies Series
- Disciplines:
- Arts & Humanities: Cultural Studies, History
- Countries:
- Southeast Asia: Thailand
PDF Chapters
Power, Protection and Magic in Thailand »
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- Preliminary pages (PDF, 0.2MB)
- Plates (PDF, 0.1MB)
- Transcription of Thai (PDF, 0.1MB)
- Glossary (PDF, 0.1MB)
- Acknowledgements (PDF, 1.0MB)
Reviews
‘Written in clear, straightforward language, the book is also readily accessible to readers with different levels of expertise on Thailand.’
– James Ockey, The Journal of Asian Studies, (81)1, March 2022.
- Prologue (mp4, 25.7MB). The video can also be viewed online on YouTube
- Chapter 1: Introduction (mp4, 26.3MB). The video can also be viewed online on YouTube
- Chapter 2: Lion Lawman (mp4, 28.5MB). The video can also be viewed online on YouTube
- Chapter 3: The mid south’s fathomable past (mp4, 33.8MB). The video can also be viewed online on YouTube
- Chapter 4: Policing and banditry (mp4, 43.5MB). The video can also be viewed online on YouTube
- Chapter 5: Magical thinking to dispel fear and uncertainty (mp4, 50.5MB). The video can also be viewed online on YouTube
- Chapter 6: Invulnerability and protecting the sovereign body (mp4, 26.9MB). The video can also be viewed online on YouTube
All videos by Oliver Friedmann at ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. Filming in Thailand by Tanavit at HD Team Production Nakhon Si Thammarat.
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