A study of recent politics and politicians given from an insight uniquely Thai. Describes the behaviour in political circles conforming to Thai sociological patterns. Repudiates certain foreign sociological concepts of Thai behaviour.

A Plastic Nation examines the role of Thai nationhood in domestic and international politics. Although in fact ill-defined, Thainess, or khwampenthai, has been consistently used by Thai leaders to legitimize their power and defend their economic interests. Not only has the assertion of Thainess been deeply rooted in the private interests of those in power, it has been deployed as part of nationalist sentiment to guard against any international norms, often considered as threats to the leaders' own interests. This book is intended for students and professors in the field of Thai nationhood and nationalism, contemporary Thai-Burmese relations, and policy practitioners in the government and military.

Reports and analyses tentatively the 1976 Elections focusing on the pre-election conditions, results and subsequent coalition formation. Data we gathered and interviews with ministry officials, officers and advisors of various political parties were conducted on a field trip to Thailand in March/April 1976. Concludes tentatively that the public has swung to the right and that certain problems must be overcome or a collapse of the Democrat coalition could ensue and a military coup d'etat even result. With 7 tables, diagram and 3 appendixes.