Pirates in Paradise

Tracing the development of piracy in Southeast Asia from the eighteenth century until today, this book provides profound insights into contemporary terrorism, piracy and transnational organized crime in the region.

Since the late twentieth century, piracy has returned to the world's oceans with a vengeance. Worst hit is Southeast Asia where thousands of people have lost their lives at the hands of pirates in the last 25 years. Here, oil tankers, cargo ships, passenger vessels, fishing boats and pleasure yachts all have been targets of ruthless attacks.

But who are these modern sea robbers who continue to infest the waters of Southeast Asia? Why have they not been suppressed by the security forces of the region? How serious is the problem for international shipping, for fishermen and for governments? This book is the first attempt to address these questions in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

Preface
`Introduction
Piracy in Asian and World History
Terror in the Gulf of Thailand
Opportunist Piracy
Phantom Ships and Organised Crime
The Counts and Costs of Piracy
Combating Piracy
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

The book is enlivened with some useful maps, and first-hand accounts from victims and perpetrators. Studies of modern piracy face two problems: first, what exactly is piracy, and second, is it a real threat to world trade? This sober and intelligent book deals well with both these matters.

Reviewed by Michael Pearson, University of Technology, Sydney, International Journal of Maritime History

'...argues convincingly that piracy is heavily under-reported and explains why this is the case.'

Reviewed by Patrick Ziltener, Asienforum International Quarterly for Asian Studies

"Eklöf has produced an excellent introduction to the modern historical antecendents of piracy in Southeast Asian waters. It is an important addition to the literature on piracy and armed robbery against ships in some of most vital, and at the same time dangerous, waterways in the world." Reviewed by Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, vol. 7, no. 2 (2008)

"... a narrative of continuity and change in Southeast Asian piracy under one cover, which is surely a useful development for scholars and policy administrators alike....[I]t suceeds very well and is a useful contribution” Reviewed by Eric Tagliacozzo, Pacific Affairs

Stefan Eklof

Stefan Eklöf Amirell is an Indonesia expert, and has also published more generally about Southeast Asian politics and history. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship and history Ph. D at Lund University.

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