June 16, 2020

Whether you know Thailand already or are visiting for the first time, whether you're a tourist or an expat, our literary selection will help you understand this country and its many dimensions. Like guides, these works will give you the keys to decipher Thai culture, its unique characteristics, and subtle complexities. Discover 4 must-read books to better understand Thailand as a visitor…

Majestic Thailand by Madi Testard

A seasoned war correspondent and journalist, author Madi Testard has long been passionate about Asia and Thailand in particular. Joined by two fellow photographers and photojournalists (Suzanne Held and Patrick de Wilde), the author embarks on writing a comprehensive book dedicated to the Kingdom of Siam. From the ancient royal city and its ruins to Buddhist temples and monasteries, from the intensity of Bangkok to rice paddies, stilt villages, and rural landscapes… Far from clichés, Majestic Thailand offers foreigners "the keys needed to enter, with a light step and an attentive heart, into the palaces of the eternal kingdom of Siam."

Thailand by Arnaud Dubus and Nicolas Cornet

Unfamiliar with Thailand? This is the book for you. It's a photographic journey through Nicolas Cornet's lens, abundantly annotated by Arnaud Dubus. From the beaches of the Andaman Sea to the banks of the Mekong, passing through rural countryside and urban intensity, this book offers a genuine portrait of the Land of Smiles. What we love about it? The authors had no intention of misleading the reader. Instead, it features numerous portraits of ordinary Thais in their daily lives, away from the cities. The goal is to showcase the real Thailand—the one you don't always imagine, found off the beaten path.

The Bonds That Unite the Thai by Pornpimol Senawong

Thailand is captivating, and for good reason: it's one of the rare Asian nations never to have been colonized. The result? The Kingdom of Siam has preserved a rich culture by maintaining its traditions and customs, despite modernism and globalization. In this comprehensive guide, Pornpimol Senawong paints a complete portrait of Thai society to help foreigners understand all its intricacies. From spirituality and religious beliefs to Buddhist traditions, language, national identity, and Thai lifestyle—including cuisine, craftsmanship, and the performing arts… It's all here.

As an interesting note, The Bonds That Unite the Thai was originally written to help students aspiring to become tour guides. This speaks volumes about how pedagogical and thorough the book truly is.

The Many Lives of Kukrit Pramoj

We round out our literary selection with a work written by a Thai author—and no ordinary one: Kukrit Pramoj. Of princely descent, journalist, bestselling author, and businessman, he even served as Prime Minister of Thailand. A true institution in Thailand, he is regarded as one of the country's greatest intellectuals. In his book "The Many Lives,"* the author recounts the story of 11 lives, 11 destinies, 11 karmas that all become victims of a shipwreck on the legendary Chao Praya River. Through these 11 characters, Kukrit Pramoj creates a striking portrait of 1950s Thailand while exploring notions of karma and Buddhist beliefs.*

Tips & Tricks

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over a decade, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, listen, and understand. For her, travel isn't about checking countries off a map—it's about weaving connections (often invisible but always powerful) with places, peoples, and all manner of creatures in the animal kingdom. Her philosophy? Advise travelers with integrity, awaken their consciousness about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble, sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories often arise far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a trail, in the course of a conversation, or in the quiet whisper of a world we finally take time to truly listen to…