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I dispute the neutrality of this article and of Mr Patiwat. First and foremost, the critical acclaims section may truthfully report what newspaper reviews have said, but the reviews are hardly fair or balanced. In my personal opinion, the subject of the monarchy in Thailand can never be "well researched" or "solidly backed by research." Even if this is the case, how does a newspaper thousands of miles away from Bangkok know the accuracy and legitimacy of its sources? Do these newspapers know the incredulous claims made concerning the CPB? Do these newspaper reviewers know how to read Thai and evaluate Thai sources? In fact, does Handley even know these things? The truth of the matter is, Handley has flooded the world with his slanted views of the monarchy and has used his "References" page to convince the world. So far, most of what I have read in the book are half-truths.
Therefore, I will edit this article to include opinions commonly heard from the other side, which should be as legitimate as "Amazon reviewers" or newspaper reviewers who had a deadline to meet (logically, it is easier to agree with a "well researched" book than it is to read through all his references to actually check its credibility and paint an alternative picture). - Salapao
Note: The preceding comment was added by User:Salapao on 06 Mar 2007
The neutrality of this article is contested. The article refers to a controversial book and does not present a balanced view. The article is accurate when it explains how Handley's book paints a different picture of the King to the image promoted by the Thai authorities. It is also accurate in noting that the book has been banned by those authorities. It is NOT accurate in stating "Most experienced observers of Thailand would recognise that... Handley's thesis is broadly speaking correct". The customer reviews on Amazon.com show that Handley's thesis is a subject of considerable disagreement. Conversations with many Thais suggest that they don't agree with Handley. It would be arrogant to suggest that these people are not 'experienced observers'. Wikipedia is suposed to be an encyclopedia, not a blog. Let's at least acknowledge that there are other points of view! I have noted the date the article was posted was before the book was actually published; is it based on a full reading of the book or just the press releases and speculation? Conclusion: unless and until the article is expanded, so that it presents both sides of the story, it should be tagged with a warning message. APB-CMX. 20:24, 31 Aug 2006
The contested sentence was added on August 25, more than one month after the book was released. Otherwise the article is fairly based on published sources describing the book's content. Excising the contested sentence -- including its unsubstantiated criticism that the book has errors -- would be reasonable. Damning the entire article for this one sentence is not. Mr.Olop
Agreed: I have now removed the contested sentence, and the NPOV tag. APB-CMX. 07:28, 05 Sep 2006
Why does this article need cleanup? Besides some formatting issues, it looks to be fairly well written and balanced. Needs some fixes for the references though. Patiwat 17:56, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
Someone tried to add this link to the further reading section. It is the Thai translation of the text on the flaps. The anonymous editor even wrote in the article that...
Due to this subject is censorship in Thailand, unable to update on Thai Wikipedia webpage. This link has always been deleted, but read review and introduction in Thai language by Sinn SaeJew who spent more than 15 years in Thailand and witness the mass murder 14 Oct 1976 at Thammarsart University in Bangkok (อ่านภาษาไทยได้ที่นี่)."
I think the link is not encyclopedic and completely unrelated to the article in English Wikipedia. kinkku ananas (talk) 20:49, 27 January 2007 (UTC)
It looks fine for me now.
kinkku ●
ananas
17:33, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
The link is very usefull in Thai since it is not acceptable and ignored by the Thai editors who are more bias and prejudice about the argument or under the influence of the Thai authorities. The only way to update this topic is in English page. As you can see, the English page has more information than the Thai page so anyone can tell me what the heck is going on there? Why someone keep delete the Thai page including the discusssion page on the topic of why not use the title in Thai language? which I think more appropiately as กษัตริย์ไม่เคยยิ้ม ----Anonymous
The amazon.com webpage is not censured in Thailand neither is the Yale university press page where you can download the first 15 pages if the book which I did today from bangkok Roger jg 05:35, 21 February 2007 (UTC)
I live in Thailand. The censorship seems to be erratic. In the past I have accessed the Amazon page many times. However, I have tried today and the page is blocked with a warning message from the Royal Thai Police. 25/2/07 1148 Bangkok Greg hill 04:48, 25 February 2007 (UTC)
The summary for this book does not reflect the published reviews on the YUP website available here. Beside, it doesn't look that someone has actually read the book and summarised it but only agregated published reviews. Roger jg 09:30, 21 February 2007 (UTC)
Jutiphan, you just bought the book! So previously, you edited all of this information with no credibility, no integrity, no knowledge. You are a fool, not a scholar. (Anonymous)
Ho, I had edited lots of articles about Thailand's provinces and districts that I never visited, what a fool me! -- 58.136.73.145 17:39, 19 April 2007 (UTC)
Correct me if I'm wrong. I noticed that the reference I previously edited [2] point to the scanned version of the book; a user added in the revision of 103941480. In wiki manga project, the link to the scanned version either directly or indirectly is always removed. -- Manop - TH 23:12, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
One panel discussion is dedicated for the book 'The King Never Smiles' in the 10th International Conference in Thai Studies. Panelists are Annette Hamilton, Craig Reynolds, Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian, and Nidhi Eoseewong. See abstract at Monarchy III: Critical Comments on Paul Handley's The King Never Smiles.
The session was hugely crowded, est. 300-400 Thai and foreigners joined the session. It was also reported from the audience during Q&A that 3 policemen are also in the crowd (the book is currently banned in Thailand).
The author, Paul Handley, was not there.