Books (not guides) about Thailand
Dec 10th, 2006, 01:11 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Books (not guides) about Thailand
4 more days before blast-off, so it is a bit late for me, but I thought I would pick the forum's brains about good books to read for background/history of Thailand. My husband bought a bunch, but the best he found for a quick cultural introduction is Thai Ways, by Denis Segaller (and he has another one, I know).
What other books do you old Thai hands recommend?
Lisa
What other books do you old Thai hands recommend?
Lisa
Dec 10th, 2006, 04:40 PM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Very Thai:Everyday popular culture" by Philip Cornwel-Smith, photos by John Goss. See a couple of reviews here:
http://bangkok.metblogs.com/archives...hai_very.phtml
http://bangkok.metblogs.com/archives...hai_very.phtml
Dec 11th, 2006, 03:36 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Bangkok-Inside Out" is good and an enjoyable read. "Very Thai" is super. For fiction, John Burdett's two books "Bangkok Eight" and "Bangkok Tattoo" are fun.
Dec 11th, 2006, 05:03 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Before going to Thailand I enjoyed reading the following: "Jim Thompson: the Unsolved Mystery" by William Warren; for a fictionaized version of the Thompson story - "Siam" by Lily Tuck; for a literary take on modern Thailand, the short stories of "sightseeing" by Rattawut Lapcharoensap.
Dec 11th, 2006, 07:01 AM
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wait until you get there...since you don't have many days left... and go to either Asia Books or Kinokuniya where there are tons of great books.There are lots of bookstores around. Asia Books in Paragon Mall in Bangkok has a wonderful section on Thailand. There's also a Kinokuniya in that mall although I like the Kinokuniya at Emporium Mall better. Pick up a book or two and read your way through Thailand. Happy Travels!
Dec 12th, 2006, 12:03 PM
#11
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't found Asia Books to be any more expensive than anywhere else in the city and I buy a lot of books in Bangkok. Plus, the poster doesn't really have time to order books over...say... a "discounted" internet system with so little time left before departure. And since I don't know where he/she lives, he/she might not have access in his/her town or city to a large variety of books on Thailand. Plus, when I buy books, on Thailand, I like a huge selection, which stores in Bangkok have.I also like to be able to flip through the book before buying it to make sure it's what I'm looking for. Happy Travels!
Dec 12th, 2006, 11:02 PM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't remember the author's name but try: The damage done.
It's by a convicted drug smuggler. He freely admits his guilt and being wrong, but then goes on to tell you about his hellish stay in a Thai prison.
It's by a convicted drug smuggler. He freely admits his guilt and being wrong, but then goes on to tell you about his hellish stay in a Thai prison.
Dec 13th, 2006, 02:59 AM
#13
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi
I enjoyed Culture shock Thailand. It tells you about the ways of the Thais. There was maybe a bit too much focus on doing business/working in Thailand. But it was still an interesting book to read before going to Thailand.
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
I enjoyed Culture shock Thailand. It tells you about the ways of the Thais. There was maybe a bit too much focus on doing business/working in Thailand. But it was still an interesting book to read before going to Thailand.
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
