Hello! Anyone have any book rec's, either fictional or non-fictional, set in Thailand. I enjoy intrigue and mysteries, but looking for any great stories for the 19 hr flight from the US to Thailand. Thanks!

Well, unfortunately, my personal favorites are all books that you can't get in the states (even on Amazon and B&N), but that are readily available throughout Thailand (especially in the Bangkok airport & hotels). <BR> <BR>I do love W. Somerset Maugham; a prolific writer that has written some great novels and short stories that take place in Thailand (written around the turn of the last century). <BR> <BR>My personal favorite is The Occidentals (a novel about expats in Thailand at the turn of the last century - not one of the best books ever written, but an interesting take on early expat life in Thailand). <BR> <BR>For more modern fare, I've recenly become a fan of Steven Leather. He writes sort of action-suspense novels, many of which take place in Thailand. You can get lots of his books in Thailand. <BR> <BR>Sorry I can't help more with the trip OVER, but I can guarantee that no matter what your preferred genre, you'll find lots of wonderful books once you get there - fun for the trip back, at least!!

As a local, i sometimes enjoy some books about my thai language written by westerners, and what to do and don't, that is my suggestion. I get some laugh from them.

Pridy by Pridi from Pridy Banomyong, ISBN 974-7551-35-7, Silkworm books (www.silkwormbooks.com). <BR>A fascinating book which helps you to understand the sad but well hidden misery of this country today. Pridi being the most significant Thai personality of the 20th century and initiated the 1932 revolution which led to the abolition of the absolute monarchy. He also saved Thailand after the last world war and founded Thammasaat university. Later he was disgraced and accused for communism and regicide (Yes, Thai people even killed a king in 1946, but of course camoufled this as an accident). <BR>Unfortunately Thai people being immature and inactive his spirit not longer lives and the country is stuck in a mud of prostitution, corruption and drugs. <BR>The book helps to really understand Thailand. But please be careful talking about. Here huuman rights and freedom of speech are not aquired!

I recommend... _Touch the Dragon: A Thai Journal_ by Karen Connelly. She was there when she was only 17, but you'd never know it by her writing... Fabulous! She's Canadian, so Amazon doesn't have it. Try www.chapters.ca