Geek in Thailand: Discovering the Land of Golden Buddhas, Pad Thai and Kickboxing

by Jody Houton

Overview

A Geek in Thailand is a light-hearted but perceptive look at one of the world's most visited countries from the viewpoint of a young foreign resident.

More than just a Thai travel guide, it offers a concise but insightful take on Thailand for tourists, expats, would-be expats, and others—anyone, in fact, with interest in visiting or learning about the Land of Smiles.

Packed with short articles accompanied by sidebar stories and interviews and evocative color photographs, the author paints a vivid and revealing picture of a country built on a deep reverence for nation, religion and monarchy, yet with its own distinct, individualistic perspective.

Subjects range from the touchstones of Thai culture and history, such as its politics and economy, Buddhism and folklore, to chapters on traditional Thai design and craftsmanship, including its highly acclaimed architecture and fine silk textiles. There are also chapters on the globally popular Thai food and entertainment like kickboxing and cabaret. Chapters on the Thai character and cultural do's and don'ts will allow the reader to go beyond the Thai smile.

For visitors to the country, the author includes his top ten things to see and do in the main tourist destinations as well as an account of the main festivals and tips on getting around.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462917143
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	01/26/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	29 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Jody Houton is a UK-born journalist who has lived in Thailand, in Phuket and currently Bangkok, for five years. Working for a number of newspapers, magazines and radio stations during that time has enabled him access to some of the country's most interesting, bizarre and influential people and allowed him the time and, most importantly, opportunity to delve much deeper into the Thai psyche, lifestyle, culture and experience.

Living in both the tourist area of Phuket and the capital city of the country has given Houton a unique vantage point to speak on Thailand and Thai people from the perspective of tourist, resident, foreigner and expat. A keen music, arts and film lover, Houton has a natural understanding of the arts and his interest in these aspects of Thai culture have made for an awesome, and thoroughly interesting section. Houton has traveled extensively since leaving university and has lived and worked in five different countries before settling in Thailand. The expat experience has allowed Houton an unbiased interpretation of the benefits and disadvantages of being a foreigner and living abroad in Thailand.

Editorial Reviews

" A Geek in Thailand is better than a guidebook: it's a roadmap of the Thai psyche, a territory that can be just as fascinating (and just as perilous) as the physical terrain explored by more run-of-the-mill travel publications." — About.com

"If you wish to travel to Thailand, holiday there, work there, or you just enjoy travel stories, this is the book for you. It is filled with facts and stories that instantly immerse you in the culture and country." — Blue Wolf Reviews

"Jody Houton's pleasant and insightful book surfs through the quirky, the profound and the plainly inexplicable culture hot points of Thailand." — Kong Rithdee, deputy editor of Life, Bangkok Post

"Packed with short articles accompanied by sidebar stories and interviews and evocative color photographs, Houton touches on the variety of Thai's daily life…" — Shanghai Daily

"Warning: after reading this alluring book, you will have to travel to Thailand." — Library Journal

"In an age of attenuated attention spans, this book moves quickly from subject to subject and packs a lot into its 160 pages… A Geek in Thailand should still please many different kinds of readers, from the newbie traveler who can pick up a lot of road tips and enjoy some excellent maps in the concluding chapter about travel, to the new expat looking for work and trying to make sense of a baffling workplace, or even the expat veterans." — Bangkok101

"…a lucid, well-researched study of the Land of Smiles — and a refreshing departure from well-trodden paths… A Geek in Thailand offers a convincing picture and one that will enrich the uninitiated's understanding of our strange land." — The Nation

"With a masterly touch, Jody Houton explains what makes Thais tick. This is a highly readable book. Houton's insights will save you years of head scratching and embarrassing confusion. A well-illustrated volume, it's also a joy to read in one sitting." — Alan Morison, editor of Phuketwan

From the Publisher

★ 02/15/2016
Once a tourist, now an expat resident, journalist Barrett has seen things from "both sides" in Thailand. His book is as much a collection of gorgeous pictures of people, food, and sights as it is a valuable travel tool. It includes maps and suggestions but no names and addresses of hotels and restaurants, which are too plentiful in typical travel guides. Each chapter has special boxes that highlight either something unusual, such as "Living the Thai Dream" (older foreign men as bar owners) or important, such as "The Role of Religion." "Unique Thai Character" explains Ladyboys, the country's third gender; or Sea Gypsies, a marginalized minority group that lives on the remote Andaman coast. Of course, the joy of Thai food is given full coverage. Most pleasurable are pictures and descriptions of street food and the Beer Girls, who walk around bars in order to make customers thirsty. Perhaps the most valuable section is "Dos and Don'ts," with suggestions such as "Caution with stray dogs" or "Pay attention to flags on beaches." VERDICT Warning: after reading this alluring book, you will have to travel to Thailand.—Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

Library Journal