The following books should be available in the UK, US, or
more likely, in Bangkok. Publishers' details for books published in
the UK and US are given in the form "UK publisher/US publisher"
where they differ; if books are published in one of these countries
only, this follows the publisher's name. "O/p" means out of
print.
Steve van Beek , The Arts of Thailand (Thames and
Hudson). Lavishly produced introduction to the history of Thai
architecture, sculpture and painting, with fine photographs by Luca
Invernizzi Tettoni.
Botan , Letters from Thailand (DK Books, Bangkok).
Probably the best introduction to the Chinese community in Bangkok,
presented in the form of letters written by a Chinese emigrant to
his mother.
Vatcharin Bhumichitr , The Taste of Thailand
(Pavilion/Collier). The author runs a Thai restaurant in London and
provides about 150 recipes adapted for Western kitchens, plus
plenty of background detail.
Pierre Boulle , The Bridge Over the River Kwai
(Mandarin/Bantam). The World War II novel which inspired the David
Lean movie and kicked off the Kanchanaburi tourist industry.
Ashley J Boyd and Collin Piprell , Diving in
Thailand (Times Editions/Hippocrene). A thorough guide to 84
dive sites, detailing access, visibility, and marine life for
each.
Karen Connelly , Touch the Dragon (Black
Swan/Silkworm Books, Chiang Mai). The humorous journal of an
impressionable Canadian teenager, sent on an exchange programme to
Den Chai in northern Thailand for a year.
John R Davies , Trekkers' Guide to the Hilltribes of
Northern Thailand (Footloose Books). Bite-sized but
well-informed insight into hilltribe cultures, including some
practical information and a small dictionary of hilltribe
languages.
Sanitsuda Ekachai , Behind the Smile (Thai
Development Support Committee, Bangkok). Collected articles of a
Bangkok Post journalist highlighting the effect of
Thailand's economic growth on the rural poor.
Alex Garland , The Beach (Penguin/Riverhead).
Gripping and hugely enjoyable cult thriller about a young Brit who
gets involved with a group of travellers living a utopian existence
on an uninhabited Thai island.
Oliver Hargreave , Exploring Chiang Mai: City, Valley
and Mountains (Within Books, Chiang Mai). Thorough guide to the
city and surrounds.
Khammaan Khonkhai , The Teachers of Mad Dog Swamp
(Silkworm Books, Chiang Mai). The engaging story of a progressive
young teacher who is posted to a remote village school.
Chart Korpjitti , The Judgement (Thai Modern
Classics). Sobering modern-day tragedy about a good-hearted Thai
villager who is ostracized by his hypocritical neighbours.
Elaine and Paul Lewis , Peoples of the Golden
Triangle (Thames and Hudson). Hefty, exhaustive work describing
every aspect of hilltribe life.
Nitaya Masavisut and Matthew Grose , The SEA Write
Anthology of Thai Short Stories and Poems (Silkworm Books,
Chiang Mai). Interesting contemporary short stories and poems by
eleven Thai writers who have won Southeast Asian Writers'
Awards.
Charles Nicholl , Borderlines (Picador/Viking
Penguin). Entertaining adventures and dangerous romance in the
"Golden Triangle" form the core of this slightly hackneyed
traveller's tale, interwoven with stimulating cultural
diversions.
Cleo Odzer , Patpong Sisters (Arcade Publishing).
An American anthropologist's funny and touching account of her life
with the bar girls of Bangkok's notorious red light district.
James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger (eds.) , Travelers'
Tales: Thailand (Travelers' Tales). This volume of collected
contemporary writings from experts, social commentators, travel
writers and enthusiastic tourists makes perfect background
reading.
Denis Segaller , Thai Ways and More Thai Ways
(Asia Books, Bangkok). Fascinating collections of short pieces on
Thai customs.
Khamsing Srinawk , The Politician and Other
Stories (Oxford University Press). Anthology of brilliantly
satiric short stories which capture the vulnerability of peasant
farmers in the modern world.
Pira Sudham , People of Esarn (Shire Books,
Bangkok). Wry and touching real-life stories of villagers from the
poverty-stricken northeast.
David Unkovich , A Motorcycle Guide to the Golden
Triangle (Silkworm Books, Chiang Mai). Detailed pocket manual
to motorbiking in the far north of Thailand, but very useful to any
independently mobile traveller.
William Warren , Jim Thompson: the Legendary American
of Thailand (Jim Thompson Thai Silk Co, Bangkok). The
engrossing biography of the ex-OSS agent, art collector and Thai
silk magnate whose disappearance in Malaysia in 1967 has never been
satisfactorily resolved.
David K Wyatt , Thailand: A Short History (Yale
University Press). An excellent treatment, scholarly but highly
readable, with a good eye for witty details.