Roger Kershaw’s association with South-East Asia began in 1962, teaching in Malaya. After graduate studies in London at SOAS, he became a lecturer in South-East Asian Studies in two British universities – Hull and Kent – followed by ten years in Brunei. He is now an independent writer and has written extensively on South-East Asian societies.

• PART I Opening thoughts 1 Introduction PART II Modern history 2 The colonial era: varieties of Indirect Rule 3 On the threshold of the present: post-war developments 4 Indonesia: the exception that proves the rule? PART III The latest phase 5 Laos: bowing off the stage of history 6 Cambodia: the King with nine lives 7 Malaysia: monarchy overawed 8 Brunei: perks and perils of absolute rule 9 Thailand: a King for all seasons PART IV Closing thoughts 10 Monarchy and democracy PART V Steps retraced 111 Further glimpses of the deeper past

Roger Kershaw’s association with South-East Asia began in 1962, teaching in Malaya. After graduate studies in London at SOAS, he became a lecturer in South-East Asian Studies in two British universities – Hull and Kent – followed by ten years in Brunei. He is now an independent writer and has written extensively on South-East Asian societies.

• PART I Opening thoughts 1 Introduction PART II Modern history 2 The colonial era: varieties of Indirect Rule 3 On the threshold of the present: post-war developments 4 Indonesia: the exception that proves the rule? PART III The latest phase 5 Laos: bowing off the stage of history 6 Cambodia: the King with nine lives 7 Malaysia: monarchy overawed 8 Brunei: perks and perils of absolute rule 9 Thailand: a King for all seasons PART IV Closing thoughts 10 Monarchy and democracy PART V Steps retraced 111 Further glimpses of the deeper past

Roger Kershaw’s association with South-East Asia began in 1962, teaching in Malaya. After graduate studies in London at SOAS, he became a lecturer in South-East Asian Studies in two British universities – Hull and Kent – followed by ten years in Brunei. He is now an independent writer and has written extensively on South-East Asian societies.

• PART I Opening thoughts 1 Introduction PART II Modern history 2 The colonial era: varieties of Indirect Rule 3 On the threshold of the present: post-war developments 4 Indonesia: the exception that proves the rule? PART III The latest phase 5 Laos: bowing off the stage of history 6 Cambodia: the King with nine lives 7 Malaysia: monarchy overawed 8 Brunei: perks and perils of absolute rule 9 Thailand: a King for all seasons PART IV Closing thoughts 10 Monarchy and democracy PART V Steps retraced 111 Further glimpses of the deeper past