Overview
Thailand Take Two looks at Thais and Thailand in a unique way. It is not a politically correct travel guide written to promote tourism and showing only the rosy side of Thailand.
Real characters are introduced in the book to show how Thailand's culture is so different from Western concepts. Readers will meet bankers and bar-girls, the young and the old, the rich and the less well off. And get right into their lives. It describes a Thailand that is not always that transparent to the casual observer. It takes the reader away from the regular tourist spots and explores the real Thailand.
Enjoy the usual tourist attractions, but don't miss the opportunities to socialise with the Thais and understand their real culture at first hand. This book will help you do that.
We start by looking at the strong unbending class system in the country. Through the words of the Thais themselves, you will see how strict hierarchy rules influence their everyday lives. You will get to grips with why their apparent laid-back life style and their constant smiling is such an essential characteristic in everything they do. We come across situations involving the Eastern concept of face and how foreigners can best deal with it. Family feuds, weddings, funerals, community activities, all are seen from a more intimate angle. The reader will feel as if he or she is personally present.
The bar scene and the Thai mafia are seen in a different light when the social and political reasons of corruption and cheating are explained. Readers will be able to compare their own observations with the scenarios and characters appearing in its pages as we discuss how Thais see most foreigners who visit or stay here.
To link with the main themes of the book and to give perspective, a short 6000 word appendix is attached on Thailand's political journey over the last 775 years.
Thailand Take 2 includes some extracts from A Thailand Diary which will surprise the reader and show a side of Thailand not normally seen.
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940148123316 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Matt Owens Rees |
| Publication date: | 07/11/2013 |
| Series: | Thailand Take Two |
| Sold by: | Draft2Digital |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 445 KB |
About the Author
My focus group took time to develop but is now paying dividends. I can bounce ideas off Thais from varying social classes. From poor farmers and construction workers to those working in offices and shops. From bankers to well-off business owners.
The group includes members of the so-called hi-so elite as well as military and police officers. Interaction sometimes needs to be one-to-one as Thais are cautious expressing their views in front of their other countrymen.
To understand Thailand and to integrate better with the Thai people and their culture, it’s important to observe and listen rather than doing all the talking oneself. After all, God gave us two eyes and two ears but only ONE mouth.
Through field research and discussions with Thais, either in normal conversation or in the lecture theatre, Matt presents a rich picture of the real Thailand, warts and all.
He has written extensively on Thais and Thailand with 20 published books already available in ebook and print format.
Despite not being similar in style, his books reflect on some of the observations in “Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind.” ln his opinion, the best introductory book on Thais and Thailand. Written by Carol Hollinger in 1965, its insights are still very revealing and up to date.
Sadly, Hollinger passed away at 45 years old before she could see her best- selling book in print. Matt also then lost an opportunity to collaborate with her on a new book on the concept of Face in Thailand.
Readers can take a look at all the books written by Matt Owens Rees at www.books2read.com where they can find full details and excerpts for each title, and the opportunity to buy with just one click at the reader's favourite online store.