Woman, Man, Bangkok

A historical exploration of the developments of gender relations in Thailand in the 1920s and 1930s. BarmT (Pacific and Asian history, Australian National U.) focuses on the capital city of Bangkok as new social meanings were articulated and consumed through the popular media. Separate chapters look at the emergence of a "protofeminist discourse" in women's magazines; the changing gender relations of the rising middle class; popular press debates related to female education and employment, polygamy, and prostitution; new middle class notions of sexual morality and propriety; and cinematic representations of contemporary womanhood. A final chapter explores a range of developments following the overthrow of the absolute monarchy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Scot BarmZ is visiting fellow in the Division of Pacific and Asian History, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, at The Australian National University.