Power Protection And Magic In Thailand

Download or read book Power, Protection and Magic in Thailand written by Craig J. Reynolds and published by . This book was released on 2019-10-22 with total page 191 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thisbiographical study of an unusual southern policeman explores the relationshipbetween religion and power in Thailand during the early twentieth centurywhen parts of the country were remote and banditry was rife. Khun Phan(1898-2006), known as Lion Lawman, sometimes used rather too much lethalforce in carrying out his orders. He was the most famous graduate of amonastic academy in the mid-south, whose senior teachers imparted occultknowledge favoured by fighters on both sides of the law. Khun Phan imbibedthis knowledge to confront the risks and uncertainty that lay ahead andbolster his confidence and self-reliance for his struggle withadversaries. Against the background of national events, the story is rooted in themid-south where the policeman was born and died. Based on a wide range ofworks in Thai language, on field trips to the region and on interviews withlocal and regional scholars as well as the policeman's descendants, thisgenerously illustrated book, accompanied by short video clips, brings to lifethe distinctive environment of the lakes district on the Malay Peninsula.