Finally, it provides a framework for thinking beyond just individuals and instead about
the relationships of interconnection between important personalities in society, the “big
people” or phu yai. Other important work has explored the political significance of local
bosses, strongmen and gangsters (Sidel 2004). While I show that significant figures need
not be connected to the underworld, this article can be read as building on that work,
exploring the networks of local elites that play important roles in politics.