Watcharabon Buddharaksa, PhD
CEO/Founder
Crackers Books
About Me
Watcharabon Buddharaksa is an Associate Professor in Politics and the Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Naresuan University, Thailand. He earned a PhD in Politics from the University of York, UK. Since 2017, he has served as the Program Director of the Doctoral Program in Political Science at Naresuan University. He has supervised numerous PhD research projects and has managed the program to become a top-tier PhD program in Political Science with a focus on Critical Policy Studies in Thailand.
Since late 2023, he, along with his former supervisees, founded the "Crackers Books Publishing House" with the goal of broadening the horizons of knowledge for young readers and enthusiasts of critical social sciences. Watcharabon's ambitious vision is to establish "Crackers Books" as a leading knowledge provider in both the Thai and international markets.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Associate Professor Watcharabon BUDDHARAKSA, PhD
Department of Political Science and Public Administration,
Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
watcharabonb@nu.ac.th
Google Scholar’s Profile https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tuyTDwcAAAAJ&hl=en
QUALIFICATIONS
PhD (Politics), University of York, UK, 2014
MA (Government), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 2007
BA (Political Science) First Class Honours, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand,2003
CURRENT APPOINTMENT
- Associate Professor in Politics
- Programme Director, Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University
- Head of Department of Political Science and Public Administration
- Editorial Board in Social Sciences and Humanities, Naresuan University Publishing House
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Antonio Gramsci’s Political Theories, Contemporary Thai Politics, Thai Political Economy, Critical Policy Studies, Werner Bonefeld’s Open Marxism, Politics in Health System Management, Health Literacy Promotion
PUBLICATIONS
In English
PhD Thesis
Buddharaksa, W. (2014) The old is dying and the new cannot be born: Organic crisis, social forces, and the Thai state, 1997-2010. PhD thesis, University of York.
Available online at http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/6202/ and
http://www.dart-europe.eu/full.php?id=956870
A review of my thesis is shown on the Dissertation Reviews.org and can be accessed at http://dissertationreviews.org/archives/11673
Book Chapter
2023 Buddharaksa, W. (2023). Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand. Policy analysis in Thailand. Edited by Ora-orn Poocharoen and Piyapong Boossabong. Bristol: Policy Press. (International Library of Policy Analysis Series). DOI: https://doi.org/10.56687/9781447367109-015
2019 Buddharaksa, W. (2019). The Old is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born: ‘Past and Present’ of Thailand’s Organic Crisis. Revisiting Gramsci’s Notebooks. Edited by Francesca Antonini, et.al. Leiden: Brill (Historical Materialism Book Series). DOI:
Journal Article
2021 Buddharaksa, W., Davies, J. S., & Tejativaddhana, P. (2021). Health Literacy Promotion and Its Institutional Arrangements: Rethinking Collaborative Health Promotion in Thailand. Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 16(4), 215-222.
2018 Photikanit, K., Sirasoonthorn, P., Aneksuk, B. and Buddharaksa, W. (2018). Thai State, Health Discourses, and Subalternity Among Migrant Workers: Lesson Learned from Thailand, PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences, 4(3), pp. 360-381.
2018 Buddharaksa, W. (2018). Big Society, Free Economy, and Strong State: Bonefeld’s Open Marxism and the Critique of Political Economy, Journal of Social Science, Chulalongkorn University, 48(1), pp. 59-74.
Online Publication
2010 Buddharaksa, W. (2010). Positivism, Anti-Positivism and Neo-Gramscianism. Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies (RCAPS) Working Paper no. 10 – 4, http://www.apu.ac.jp/rcaps/uploads/fckeditor/publications/workingPapers/RCAPS_WP10-4.pdf
2010 Buddharaksa, W. (2010). Some Methodological Debates in Gramscian Studies: A Critical Assessment. Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies (RCAPS) Working Paper no. 10 – 5, http://www.apu.ac.jp/rcaps/uploads/fckeditor/publications/workingPapers/RCAPS_WP10-5.pdf
Book Review
2021 Buddharaksa, W. (2021). Review of ‘The Philosophy and Methods of Political Science’, by Keith Dowding, Manusya: Journal of Humanities, 23(2), pp. 311-313.
2016 Buddharaksa, W. (2016). Review of ‘In, Against, and Beyond Capitalism: The Sanfrancisco Lectures’, by John Holloway, Manusya: Journal of Humanities, 19(2), pp. 112-114.
2014 Buddharaksa, W. (2014). Review of ‘Antonio Gramsci’, by Antonio Santucci, Journal of Social Sciences Naresuan University, 10(2), pp.191-194.
2014 Buddharaksa, W. (2014). Review of ‘Autonomy: Capitalism, Class and Politics’, by David Eden, Political Studies Review, 12(3), pp. 405-406. DOI: 10.1111/1478-9302.12067_11
2013 Buddharaksa, W. (2013). Review of ‘The Rise of the Octobrists: Power and Conflict among Former Left Wing Student in Contemporary Thai Politics’, by Kanokrat Lertchoosakul, City University of Hong Kong's Dissertation Reviews, http://dissertationreviews.org/archives/5930
2013 Buddharaksa, W. (2013). Review of ‘The Left Alternative’, by Roberto Mangabeira Unger, Critique: Journal of Socialist Theory, 41(1), pp.137-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03017605.2013.776224
In Thai
Monograph and Edited Book
2018 Sirasoonthorn, P. and Buddharaksa, W. (Eds). (2018). Material, Culture, Spirit, and Man: Selected in Sociology and Humanities Book 1. Bangkok: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre.
2018 Sirasoonthorn, P. and Buddharaksa, W. (Eds). (2018). Politics, Law, Policy: Selected in Sociology and Humanities Book 2. Bangkok: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre.
2018 Buddharaksa, W. (2018). Antonio Gramsci and Political Installation: Philosophy of Praxis, Social Transformation, and Human Emancipation. Bangkok: Sommadhi.
2016 Supajakwattana, W. and Buddharaksa, W. (2017). On Contemporary Theories of Political Science and Public Administration. Phitsanulok: Naresuan University Press.
2014 Buddharaksa, W. (2014). A Survey of Antonio Gramsci’s Political Thought. Bangkok: Sommadhi.
Book Chapter
2021 Buddharaksa, W. (2021). Policy Studies in Political Philosophy Perspective: Policy Studies as the Creation of Good Political Society. Policy Studies from Different Perspectives. Edited by Piyapong Boosabong and Theerapat Ungsuchaval. Chiangmai: Institute of Public Policy.
2019 Buddharaksa, W. (2019). Some Truths on Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks. On Truth. Edited by Kongkrit Traiyawong. Bangkok: Illuminations.
2018 Buddharaksa, W. (2018). Gramsci and the Concept of Analysis of Situation: On Crisis and Ceasarism. Democracy and Conservatism in East Aisa. Edited by Chaiwat Kamchoo and Nithi Nuangchamnong. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press.
2017 Buddharaksa, W. (2017). Gramsci and the Politics of Culture (and Political Economy) Beyond Borders of Knowledge. Edited by Sorayut Eaimauayut. Chiangmai: Chiangmai University Press.
2016 Buddharaksa, W. (2016). Commodity, Value, Fetishism: Notes on Marx’s Capital, On Theories of Political Science and Public Administration. Edited by Buddharaksa, W. and Supajakwattana, W. Phitsanulok: Naresuan University Press.
2014 Buddharaksa, W. (2014). Beyond Positivism: Neo-Gramscianism and Some Methodological Challenges in Thai Politics. Political Science: Varieties of Social Sciences. Edited by Inthasi, W. and Soparat, S. Phisanulok: Department of Political Science, Naresuan University.
Journal Paper
2018 Buddharaksa, W. (Trans.). (2018). On Economic Sociology and the Critique of Society. [ว่าด้วยสังคมวิทยาเศรษฐกิจกับการวิพากษ์สังคม]. Authored by Werner Bonefeld. Journal of Liberal Arts, 18(2), pp. 221-228.
2017 Buddharaksa, W. (2017). Love of Wisdom in Gramsci’s Thought. Vice Versa, 2(2017), pp. 87-94.
2016 Buddharaksa, W. (Trans.). (2016). Free economy and the strong state: Some notes on the state. [เศรษฐกิจเสรีกับรัฐที่เข้มแข็ง: บทบันทึกบางประการว่าด้วยรัฐ]. Authored by Werner Bonefeld. Prince of Songkla University Journal, 22(1), pp.1-25.
2010 Buddharaksa, W. (2010). Antonio Gramsci and the Concept of Factory Council, Journal of European Studies, 18(2), pp.50-80.
2009 Buddharaksa, W. (2009). Neo-Gramscianism: Considering an Alternative Approach in IR/IPE, Vibhasa, 3(23, 24), pp. 71-79 and 67-70.
Co-Authored in Journal
2020 Ongla, O. and Buddharaksa, W. (2019). “Mae-Chaem Model: Practices and War of Positions” in Journal of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, 16(1), pp. 21-46.
2019 Ongla, O. and Buddharaksa, W. (2019). “Integral State: Critical Study on Land and Forest Management in the Post-May 2014” in CMU Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 12(2), pp. 64-84.
2019 Saengsoda, A, Sirisawas Apichayakul, O. and Buddharaksa, W. (2019). “Looking Toward Multi-Shade Kathoey on Digital TV: Communication and Kathoey-ness on Various TV Programs in Digital Age” in Journal of Journalism Thammasat University, 12(2), pp. 165-236.
2018 Kaewchandee, N. and Buddharaksa, W. (2018). “Man in Ancient Isan Laws: A Critical Perspective” in Journal of Social Sciences Naresuan University, 14(1), pp. 193-225.
2017 Potikanit, K., Sirasoonthorn, P. and Buddharaksa, W. (2017). “Migrant Labour, Economic Animal, and Subalternity: The Study of Migrant Labour in Thailand” in Journal of Social Sciences Naresuan University, 13(2), pp. 99-119.
2015 Suesat, W. and Buddharaksa, W. (2015). “Mother Clanship [Kathoeys]: Art and Science of Hegemony in Kathoeys Thai Society” in Journal of Liberal Arts, 15(2), pp. 101-118.
Conference Papers (and Proceedings) both in Thai and English
2019 Buddharaksa, W., Sirasoonthorn, P., and Tejativadhana, P. (2019). "Gramsci Theory and Health System Management: A Case Study of Kosamphi Nakhon District Health Service in Rural Thailand”, paper for the 4th Annual Conference of CPCE Health Conference 2019 (14 January 2019 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong) [in English]
2018 “Urban Regime Theory: An Introduction” paper for the 12th Thailand’s Humanities Forum (9 September 2018 at Silpakorn University, Thailand) [in Thai]
2016 “Big Society, Free Economy, and Strong State: Bonefeld’s Open Marxism and the Critique of Political Economy”, paper for the 64th Annual Conference of Japan Society of Political Economy (15 October 2016 at Fukushima University, Japan) [in English]
2016 “Gramsci, Translation, and Philosophy of Praxis” paper for the 10th Thailand’s Humanities Forum (19-20 September 2016 at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand) [in Thai]
2016 “Gramsci, Education, and Social Transformation” paper presented in the ‘Annual Conference of Department of Philosophy’ (10 March 2016 at Silpakorn University, Thailand) [in Thai]
2015 “The Old is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born: ‘Past and Present’ of Thailand’s Organic Crisis”, paper presented in the ‘Past and Present: Philosophy, Politics, and History in the Thought of Antonio Gramsci’ International Conference (18 June 2015 at the King’s College London, UK) [in English]
2013 “Thai Historical Bloc, Restructuring, and Crises: A Neo-Gramscian Account”, paper presented in the ‘Politics in Crisis?’ Conference (26 April 2013 at the School of Politics and International Relation, the University of Nottingham, UK) [in English]
2012 “Gramscian Approach to Contemporary Politics: Experience from Thailand Political Conflict”, paper presented in the ‘Beyond the Field: Opportunities and Challenges for Contemporary Social Science Research’ Conference (10 November 2012 at the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, UK) [in English]
2011 “Social Forces: Antonio Gramsci and His Conception of Political Actors”, paper presented in the 12th Political Science and Public Administration National Conference (8 December 2011 at the Centara Duangtawan Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand) [in Thai]
2009 “Antonio Gramsci and Idea of the Factory Council”, paper presented in the 10th Political Science and Public Administration National Conference (1 December 2009 at Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai Campus, Songkla Thailand) [in Thai]
2008 “Intellectual, Historical Bloc, Hegemony and Counter Hegemony: Antonio Gramsci and the Contemporary Thai Politics”, paper presented in the 9th Political Science and Public Administration National Conference (2 December 2008 at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok Thailand) [in Thai]
2007 “The Gramsci’s Hegemony concept: An attempt to explain Thai political phenomena”, paper presented in the 8th Political Science and Public Administration National Conference (13 December 2007 at the BITEC International Exhibition Centre, Bangkok Thailand) [in Thai]
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
2023 Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Scholarship for Supervisor (RGJ)
2023 Most Cited Research Paper in Social Sciences for Naresuan University’s Researchers (Runner Up)
2019 TRF Humanities Public Forum Grant
2019 TRF Research Grant for New Scholar (MRG)
2017 Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Scholarship for Supervisor (RGJ)
2015 National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) Award: Distinguished PhD Thesis Award and Prize
2013 Anglo-Thai Society Educational Award for Excellence in Humanities and Social Science
2010 – 2014 Royal Thai Government Scholarship (Thailand's Office of the Civil Service Commission)
2004 – 2006 Royal Thai Government Scholarship (Thailand's Ministry of University Affairs)
[Updated: January 2024]