Thailand bans political handbook edited by exiled scholar
BANGKOK – Thai police have banned the importation of an academic book examining contemporary Thailand, edited by prominent political scientist Pavin Chachavalpongpun, citing concerns that its contents could threaten national security and public order. The ban, published in the Royal Gazette on 4 November, targets Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Thailand, Second Edition, an international…
Bangkok, Thailand – The Thai police have prohibited the importation of an academic book that examines modern-day Thailand, edited by renowned political scientist Pavin Chachavalpongpun. The Royal Gazette published the ban on November 4th, 2023, under Royal Thai Police Order No. 555/2569. The book, titled Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Thailand, Second Edition, is an international academic publication that contains contributions from 45 scholars.
The ban targets the book due to its potential to threaten national security, public order, and cause unrest. Anyone found importing or ordering the book into the country for distribution faces up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 Thai baht, or both. The order, signed by national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma on October 30th, 2023, immediately took effect.
The ban applies to both physical and electronic editions of the book. Pavin, who is a professor at Kyoto University in Japan and a former Thai diplomat, criticized the Thai authorities on social media, arguing that banning books in the digital age is ineffective and that the controversy surrounding the book may actually increase its popularity.
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