Want a Thailand reading list? Go beyond Lonely Planet, with these wonderful books about Thailand. We’ve read them all personally, and wouldn’t recommend anything we hadn’t pushed (vehemently) into the hands of our own mother. They’re good, you’ll like them… and you might even learn something.
Bangkok 8 – fiction. A plot “[infused] with enough suspense, detail, and dry Asian insight to keep readers rapt as the story careens about the bars and brothels of Thailand’s flesh trade, through its cut-rate plastic surgery parlors, and ends in a climax with a fittingly Buddhist twist.” (Get a copy at Amazon UK).
Culture Shock! Thailand - guide book. ”You’ll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again.” (Get a copy at Amazon UK).
Mai Pen Rai - non-fiction. “An American housewife’s honest love affair with the irrepressible people of Thailand.” (Get a copy at Amazon UK).
Private Dancer – fiction. “Often described as the best book ever written about the Bangkok bar scene.” (Get a paperback copy or the Kindle version at Amazon UK).
Dos And Don’ts in Thailand - guide book. Essential stuff! It’s easier than you think to cause offense in this polite country. Grab a copy of Kenny’s book (& update your Thailand packing list accordingly). We agree with reviewers: “It prevents embarrassment. It can deflect even a disaster.” (Get a paperback copy or Kindle version at Amazon UK).
Birds of Thailand is an interesting reference, even if you’re avowedly “not into birds”. From our house alone we’ve seen such curious creatures as greater coucals, brominy kites and (not making this up)… Asian fairy bluebirds. The book is harder to find these days, but even a used copy from Amazon will add a great deal to your visit.
If you’re going to do something badly while in Thailand – why not try to speak Thai? Most every tourist quickly masters ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in Thai, but a 3rd, 4th or 5th phrase would earn high praise. Lonely Planet’s Thai Phrasebook is #1 on Amazon for learning this (quite tricky) language – get a copy & get trying.
Also consider the fantastic ‘Thai Food’ cookbook, by David Thompson. (Get your copy at Amazon UK).
