Amnesia: A History of Democratic Idealism in Modern Thailand.

The article focuses on the book *Amnesia: A History of Democratic Idealism in Modern Thailand* by Arjun Subrahmanyan, which revisits the origins and development of democratic ideals in Thailand following the 1932 People's Party revolution that ended absolute monarchy. Subrahmanyan analyzes the period from 1932 to 1949, highlighting the People's Party's efforts to promote mass political participation, social welfare, and political education amid opposition from royalist forces. The book draws on primary archival sources to explore the complex relationships between the People's Party, urban labor (notably the ethnic Chinese community), rural peasants, and Buddhist political actors, emphasizing the contested nature of Thailand's democratic history. It argues that royalist propaganda has obscured this history, resulting in a collective amnesia, while underscoring the continued relevance of these democratic ideals in contemporary Thai politics.