Chatthip Nartsupha, His Critics, and More Criticism

In his long and productive life, Professor Chatthip Nartsupha has written many books and articles that have become foundation texts for the study of Thai economic history and political economy. His books are commonly reprinted multiple times. He has taught and inspired three generations of students. His approach and legacy, which came to be known as the Chatthip school, held sway over the study of Thai economic history, particularly for the period from 1855 to 1932. Throughout his career, Chatthip has maintained a busy life of exchanges with colleagues abroad, particularly with economists and economic historians in Japan. He continues to read and write and to develop his thinking. He still believes that the village in Thailand has the capacity to strengthen itself, and that village and community values can resist capitalism and the state. In the face of strong criticism of his concept of the village in Thailand, he still holds fast to his convictions.