Thread: Thailand themed book recomendatoins

I like to read a Thailand themed book while on holiday any suggestions. Not Thai history just something based around Thailand.

Here are the last four I've read all were pretty good but listed in order of entertainment factor.


Borderlines a Journey in Thailand and Burma by Charles-Nicholl
A cool story about the authors travels in the mid 80's

The Prince and I by Princess Ceril Brabongse
If you like motor racing history and Thai history is a good book about Prince Bira his marriage to Ceril and his "cousin" Chula their lives in England and Thailand and their car racing story.

The Bangkok Cowboys by Alexander Lewis
Not a bad one about two English guys from the rag trade, trafficking cocaine hidden in clothes to eastern Europe and trying to get their money into Thailand.

Bangkok Days by Lawrance Osborne
A bit of a slow read at times but still good. About the life of an expat living around suk. and various daily adventures.

Anyway if anyone has read a good one I'd like to try it.

thanks

Not Thai history just something based around Thailand

Any official Thai history book is light-reading fiction anyway. Anything approaching veracity is banned here.

Monsoon Country excellent. May have trouble finding it though.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...onsoon_Country

A Child of the Northeast by Kampoon Boontawee

The Teachers Of Mad Dog Swamp by Khonkhai Khammaan

Both light reading stories about Isaan that I enjoyed.

Try this: Rattawut Lapcharoensap: Sightseeing

Those books about the Luk krung cop are good. Can't remember who wrote it and I'm not moving to go have a look

Tales and travels of a Teacher in Thailand by Jeff Sparks was funny. Some nice descriptions of upcountry too.

Originally Posted by armstrong

Those books about the Luk krung cop are good. Can't remember who wrote it and I'm not moving to go have a look

John Burdett, and yes - ok for a read.

You said, "not Thai history" and this is classified as historical fiction, but I can guarantee you that it's a thoroughly enjoyable ride
loosely based off of Constantine Phaulkon's somewhat turbulent life, as I understand it.

https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showt...Falcon-of-Siam

Originally Posted by nidhogg

John Burdett, and yes - ok for a read.

Bangkok 8?

I couldn't get into it even a little, tbh.
Felt forced - like he was trying too many things at once and a bit desperate for the screen.
I dunno, could've been me.

Originally Posted by hick

Bangkok 8?

I couldn't get into it even a little, tbh.
Felt forced - like he was trying too many things at once and a bit desperate for the screen.
I dunno, could've been me.

Generally speaking, I don't find any of the Bangkok Noir or associated speculative fiction genres to be of great stimulation, even though having a great popular following among the masses. Not so much the writing style, but instead the content that lacks originality morphing into a redundant homogeny. To each his own.

I've strayed away from fiction in most forms over the years, anyway.

Alternatively - there is a tonne non-fiction of Siamese/Thai material that run the gambit of historical, political, and social circles.
A bit heavy and earnest, perhaps - but surely beats the hell from the likes of Christopher Moore, Colin Cotterill, John Gartland, John Burdett, Dean Barrett, Tim Hallinan, and numerous others.

Originally Posted by Norton

Monsoon Country excellent. May have trouble finding it though.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...onsoon_Country

Written by a Thai in English, Pira Sudham. A farm boy from Isaan who got the chance to study in English abroad as a teenager and graduated in English lit. Still publishing a lot to this day. Met him about 14 years ago a humble and nice guy.

Thanks for that norts!!

A bit off topic I suppose given that this book is probably about the late King George the 6th of England but;
there's a bit of a book about a bloke who doesn't smile too much. An excellent read if you can find a copy but be careful most copies are more than a little fragile.

Originally Posted by aging one

Written by a Thai in English, Pira Sudham. A farm boy from Isaan who got the chance to study in English abroad as a teenager and graduated in English lit. Still publishing a lot to this day. Met him about 14 years ago a humble and nice guy.

Thanks for that norts!!

Native Isaan writers don't receive the attention they probably deserve - historically, this region has produced brilliant people of letters and literary influence.

Try reading: Isan Writers, Thai Literature: Writing and Regionalism in Modern Thailand - Martin B. Platt....
Just one a few important tomes that has served as an examination of the regions rich literary/political punditry.

Not forgetting our very own Somtamslaps book.

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll get one ordered for the trip.

If anyone thinks of some others please post them.

Good read. Also a decent movie now.

Oh yes there's always the classic Thai prison stories.

Originally Posted by aging one

Written by a Thai in English, Pira Sudham. A farm boy from Isaan who got the chance to study in English abroad as a teenager and graduated in English lit. Still publishing a lot to this day. Met him about 14 years ago a humble and nice guy.

Thanks for that norts!!

I've got two of his books. Haven't read them yet.

^^Every time I see that book cover I always think to myself ''that bloke looks like he brought it on himself''

I ordered Monsoon country. Should have it here before we leave.

Thanks

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

^^Every time I see that book cover I always think to myself ''that bloke looks like he brought it on himself''

Pat, that's what you think about ​everyone in a shitty situation.

Thank Christ you couldn't stick that counselling course.