The Passenger: Thailand

Fully-illustrated, The Passenger collects the best new writing, photography, art and reportage from around the world.  

IN THIS VOLUME: Buddhism, the State, and Superpowers by Pitchaya Sudbanthad • The Country of Spirits by Emma Larkin • Monarchy Under Attack by Claudio Sopranzetti • plus: soft power and the working class, the heart of rural Thailand and the separatism of the southern peninsula, the success of Boy Love, the palm oil scandal, and much more...  

Thailand’s recent history has been marked by political turbulence, with palace coups, intrigue, attempted revolution, restoration, and democratic elections. In this complex democracy, the working class, progressives, and young urban professionals push for reforms, often clashing with landowners and business elites. While Thailand is perceived as permissive and tolerant, it hides a conservative core. Yet, one of its main cultural exports is Boy Love stories, romantic tales featuring male protagonists, whose success epitomises a cultural revolution that is boosting the country’s entertainment industry and soft power. 

Behind Thailand's glittering image, exemplified by Bangkok—the world’s most visited city in 2023—lie rural regions like Isaan, far from typical tourist paths. These areas reflect the country’s diverse and complex identity and reveal that, despite government efforts to impose cultural uniformity, Thailand’s true strength still lies in its ability to embrace diversity and syncretism.