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.
Novels about Thailand
Bangkok 8 – fiction. Burdett’s plot is “[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.
Private Dancer – fiction. “Often described as the best book ever written about the Bangkok bar scene.” Seriously boys, (and girls!), you need to read this. Get a paperback copy or the Kindle version at Amazon UK.
The Beach – fiction. Not so much a book about Thailand, as set in Thailand. Still, if you like a book to come to life before your very eyes, it might be a well-timed read (particularly if you plan to visit Angthong Marine Park, where parts of the film were filmed). ”The classic story of paradise found – and lost.” Get a paperback copy or the Kindle version at Amazon UK.
Non-fiction books about Thailand
Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind – biographical account. “An American housewife’s honest love affair with the irrepressible people of Thailand.” Get a copy at Amazon UK.
Jim Thompson: The Unsolved Mystery – biography. ”Jim Thompson was already a legend for the James H.W. Thompson Silk Company that he founded, when he disappeared in the Cameron highlands in Malaysia in 1967.” Read more about Jim Thompson in Thailand, or order his biography on Amazon UK.
Guide books about Thailand
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 – reference. This is a really interesting reference guide, even if you’re avowedly “not into birds”. Native birds we’ve seen from our house alone include such curious creatures as greater coucals, brahminy 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.
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 or read our glowing review.
Thai cookbooks
Also consider getting your own copy of the fantastic ‘Thai Food’ cookbook, by David Thompson (read our full book review).
Are you the plan-ahead type? See our recommendations for what you need for Thailand – from packing to reading to hitting the beach.
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