Thai Legal History
From Traditional to Modern Law
Published on 13. July 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
324 pages
978-1-108-82986-1 (ISBN)
Description
This is the first book to provide a broad coverage of Thai legal history in the English language. It deals with pre-modern law, the civil law reforms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the constitutional developments post-1932. It reveals outstanding scholarship by both Thai and international scholars, and will be of interest to anyone interested in Thailand and its history, providing an indispensable introduction to Thai law and the legal system. The civil law reforms are a notable focus of the book, which provides material of interest to comparative lawyers, especially those interested in the diffusion of the civil law.
Reviews / Votes
'This edited collection is a work of great scholarly depth and breadth. It unites the work of an exciting group of scholars to address fundamental questions concerning the past and future of the Thai legal system. Lively issues in Thai legal history such as 'legal families', 'legal culture' and the civilian heritage of Thai law are thoroughly investigated. It is, without doubt, a future classic of Thai legal history.' Paul du Plessis, Professor of Roman Law, Edinburgh University 'This is a ground-breaking work - the first collection of Thai legal history essays in English. Featuring works by a group of senior and junior scholars, these essays range right across the epochs and encompass an eclectic mix of subjects. Radiating scholarship and erudition, these essays will appeal to specialists and generalists alike. Hats off to Harding and Pongsapan for pulling off what those studying legal history in Southeast Asia have long regarded as an impossibility. An important and compelling read.' Kevin Tan, Professor of Law, National University of Singapore 'This volume includes some outstanding scholarship from a mix of contributors, several from Thailand and quite a few early career scholars, along with established academics ... readers will certainly learn much from this collection and the debates it details ...' Kevin Hewison, Asian Journal of Comparative LawMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
562 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-82986-1 (9781108829861)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
06/2021
Cambridge University Press
€139.20
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
06/2021
Cambridge University Press
€29.49
Available for download
Persons
Content
1. Introduction Andrew Harding; 2. Thai legal history: a brief literature review Rawin Leelapana, Andrew Harding and Eugenie Merieau; Part I. Traditional law and its modern resonances: 3. Thammasat, custom and royal authority in Siam's legal history Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit; 4. The history of the initial royal command: a reflection on the legal and political contexts of kingship and the modern state in Siam Kongsatja Suwanapech; 5. Buddhist influence on the ancient Siamese legal system, from Ayutthaya to the twenty-first century Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang; 6. A history of the Thai Le`se-Majeste? law Eugenie Merieau; 7. Blood curse and belonging in Thailand: law, Buddhism and legal consciousness David M. Engel; Part II. Foreign influence and the reform period: 8. British judges in the supreme court of Siam Surutchada Reekie and Adam Reekie; 9. The fundamental misconception in the drafting of the Thai civil and commercial code of 1925 Munin Pongsapan; 10. The modernisation of Thai criminal law: from the 1908 penal code to the 1956 criminal code Kanaphon Chanhom; 11. Thai trust law: a legal import rooted in pragmatism Surutchada Reekie and Narun Popattanachai; 12. The history of Thai family laws: strong women and weak gender equality under the law Apinop Atipiboonsin; 13. The origins of Thailand's bureaucratic state and the consolidation of administrative justice Peter Leyland; 14. Siam and the standard of civilisation in the nineteenth century Krisdakorn Wongwuthikun and Naporn Popattanachai; Part III. Constitutional conflicts 1932-2017: 15. The Thai-style democracy in post-1932 Thailand and its challenges: a quest for nirvana of constitutional samsara in Thai legal history before 1997 Rawin Leelapatana; 16. Permutations of the basic structure: Thai constitutionalism and the democratic regime with the king as head Henning Glaser; 17. The 1991-1992 judicial crisis: personalities or principles? Duncan McCargo; 18. Without account: coups, amnesties and justice in Thailand Tyrell Haberkorn; Glossary; Index.