The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXIV, Part 1-2, 1976 - Khamkoo

386 REVIEWS
Brother Thamnu" which is probably the most poignant plea for Thai
democracy to be written in the decade prior to October 1973. The other
is his "The Quality of Life of A Southeast Asian: A Chronicle of Hope
From Womb to Tomb." This simple 54-line essay is probably the most
eloquent and perceptive essay yet to be published on the aspirations of
the peoples of Southeast Asia, and on what government policies ought to
be about and can reasonably attain. It is the kind of statement that
should be translated into numerous languages, read by bureaucrats, and
taught to school children.
Herbert P. Phillips
University of California,
Berkeley
Barbara and Leon Hawell, Editors: Southeast Asians Speak Out, Hope
and Despair in Many Lands (Friendship Press, 1975), pp. 132, 14 plates,
appendices and notes.
Despite a short descriptive chapter summarizing historical, economic
and political currents in Southeast Asia, the reader will be disappointed
in this book if be is searching for an academic definition of the social,
cultural and economic patterns that prevatl in the varied countries that
comprise Southeast Asia.
At first reading, it is difficult to grasp any common theme that
would give this collection of articles a sense of purpose and identity,
On reflection, what emerges are the very personalized reflections of
socially and politically ccncerned Asian citizens on what they perceive
to be crucial problems facmg their societies: the lack of social justice,
national identity,and democratic systems fostering basic personal freedom
and the rule of law, the need to achieve a more equitable redistribution
of income and overcome economic exploitation.
A related dimension of this book is an analysis and assessment of
the extent to which the Christian churches in Asia have been responsive
to the needs, concerns and struggles of the poorer, and often times,
oppressed elements of Asian societies as they strive to overcome the
institutional and political barriers to a better life measured in terms of
social justice, personal freedom and economic advantage.