A History of the Thai Chinese

The remarkable story of how a people and country embraced each other and ultimately left their identities inextricably linked.

The remarkable story of how a people and country embraced each other—and ultimately left their identities inextricably linked. For many centuries, Chinese migrated to the ports, cities and provinces of Thailand. These immigrants included traders, skilled laborers, adventurers and the neardestitute who dreamed of a better life. Over time, they came to form one of the largest and most influential diasporas in the world. From tin mining to railway-building to rice trading, their skills helped the country develop and prosper. Some came to advise Thai monarchs, intermarry, and run businesses integral to the economy. One son of a Chinese father and Thai mother even became king. This community overcame many personal, cultural and social challenges to eventually become an integral part of almost all the kingdom's affairs all the way through to the present day. This book tells the extraordinary history of the Thai-Chinese. "No country in Southeast Asia has been as successful as Thailand in integrating its Chinese community. This book provides deep insights into this process and should provide illumination reading for anyone interested in Southeast Asian success stories. It is a must-read." —Kishore Mahbubani, author of The Great Convergence