THAK Chaloemtiarana

THAK Chaloemtiarana is one of the foremost specialists on Thai political culture, characteristics, and developments. Moreover, he is a respected authority of modern Thai literary studies, and in an innovative way marrying literature with politics. His research interests focus on the contrasting concepts of authoritarianism and democratization in post-1932 Thai politics. In his literary studies there is a preoccupation in exploring the role of modern Thai literature in the construction of identity. Other scholarly concerns include approaches in dealing with colonialism and modernity, gender issues, and in understanding and situating the Sino-Thai population of Thailand. Past research projects include assessing the influence and impact of Thai-American literature on Thai identity, on prototypes of modern Thai crime fiction, and a postcolonial analysis of the racing world of Prince Bira. The latter refers to Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh (1914–1985), better known as Prince Bira of Siam, a member of the royal family.