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September 2006

Pattaya Crazy

Pattaya Travel Guide eBook (pdf)

Pattaya Travel Guide

$10 off to ThaiAnxiety readers

Straightforward guide that provides genuinely useful info.

The book is very specific to Pattaya and can therefore provide detailed listings that would be totally impractical in more general guides 

 

May 2006

Shades of Eastern Madness

By devanshoom (camelzback publishing)

The opening chapters race along as the young heroes stumble into adventures that elude expats like me. Mainly because I pre-arrange taxis to meet me from the airport rather than get on the first bus that I see!

The young adventurers get to see a lot more of Thailand than most and I particularly enjoyed flirtation with English teaching and the rescuing of a sex slave in Cambodia.

And even if one's own experience is not gained via headstrong foolhardiness then one at least knows enough to realise that the author knows Thailand well. If there are elements of his personal experience in the story then surely devanshoom could spin a few great yarns over a beer or two in a dodgy bar.

Of course I wouldn't then trust him to pick up the tab though!

A good read.

Shades of Eastern Madness book cover

 

July 2005

Bangkok Tattoo

By John Burdett

Book review from UK Amazon

What great Irony, cynicism, mystery, all wrapped up in the twisted world of Bangkok's District 8.

Royal Thai police detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep is investigating the murder of a CIA operative found gutted and mutilated. the number one suspect is a hot little number Chanya who works the local saloon--and Sanchai thinks he is in love love Chanya, or is it lust? The murder of course turns out to be more complicated then it first appears. Sanchi must deal with the rages of his hard nose police captain Vikorn, as he tries to unravel the case, with Chanya slowly giving out her secrets. Mix in CIA agents, Thai army generals, Thai gangsters, Muslim terrorists, all against the funky world of district 8 in Bagkok and you have a wonderful stew of a story!

What I really enjoyed about this Burdetts writting were his characterazation, you can tell he knows Bangkok and its people, at least the seamy side of Bangkok. The Dialog is biting and witty, and the author adds his own great commentary. For a good thriller read in an exotic Local you can't go wrong here.

This book is the sequel to Bangkok 8 so read that first.

Bangkok Tattoo book cover

Available at UK Amazon

 

July 2005 Bangkok 8

By John Burdett

Book review from UK Amazon

Firstly this book is incredibly readable: it starts with a shocker and just when you start getting comfortable you're hit by something totally surreal...a bit like living in Asia! Follow the main character, a Thai Policeman called Sonchai, through his own struggles with keeping his Karma in balance, dealing with the loss of his soul brother, and his innate understanding of the Western mind.

Explore the Thai Adult Industry with him and meet the Johns, the Janes and the JohnJanes... As a Westerner, it makes you feel kind of small...It's by far the best book I've read in a while...the characters are extreme and utterly believable...incredibly well written with the knowledge of one who's lived there for some time...If you're remotely interested in what happens out in the East, read this book!

The sequel is Bangkok Tattoo

Bangkok 8 book cover

Available at UK Amazon

 

July 2005 Porn Unplugged (5th edition of Pattaya Unplugged)

By Duncan Stearn

A collection of humorous signs, posters, pictures etc found whilst staying in Pattaya.

Many are funny but in book format it becomes a little one joked. Perhaps would be better presented as a joke a day calendar.

Available online at: DCO

 

January 2005 Money Number One: The Single Man's Survival Guide to Pattaya

By Neil Hutchinson

Probably the most sensible purchase you can make before spending time in Thailand. The  whole book is an amusing tirade of over-the-top advice regarding relationships with Thai girls and in particular, bar girls.

Neil Hutchinson is spot on with his observations about the tricks of the trade. The cynical emphasis seems to add to the gravity and the believability of the advice. It is as if the author has personally been on the receiving end of every trick in the book.

Hopefully anyone who reads the book should avoid most of the pitfalls and will be able to get maximum enjoyment out of a trip to Thailand.

I recommend this book heartily, I can even personally confirm the dangers described. However I cannot fully endorse the need for such cynicism. I can assure that there are many happy relationships with some lovely Thai girls. Its just about looking after yourself and getting to know the rules of the game...by buying a book like this.

Available online at: DCO

 

January 2005 Pattaya: Patpong on Steroids

By Duncan Stearn

This is almost reads like a sequel to Money Number One. The author has got past the stage of games with a Thai girl and moves on to describe some of the difficulties of staying long term in Thailand and trying to earn a crust.

Duncan Stearn describes his time as a go-go bar business partner in Pattaya. Very autobiographical with many amusing and serious tales from a none too successful venture. The emphasis isn't about the single man's relationships with bar girls but the insight into the bar trade is excellent ammunition for the game of life in Pattaya.

The book then widens out to take in gambling scans and media manipulation of Pattaya's unique image. Finally the book tends to drift into a travel log of trips around the Far East but we pick up many fascinating lessons about Thailand in the meantime.  

Available online at: DCO


Thai Life  Climate: Climate Change Act now to stop Bangkok sinking, urge scientists (Feb 2010)
 Background: Grovelling A Primer (Jan 2010)
 Travel Excessive Thai Airways charge $2200 for excess baggage (Dec 2009)
 Travel Oh My Buddha! Export of Buddha Images from Thailand (Aug 2009)
 Health: Jellyfish First Aid for jellyfish stings (June 2009)
 Money: New 2 Baht Coin A bit easier to spot (March 2009)
 

 Background: Thai National Anthem An illuminating translation (Aug 2007)
 Background: The Wai To wai or not to wai...that is the question (March 2007)
 Background: Gestures Just a Matter of Interpretation (Feb 2006)
 Background: Rent Not Buy Mixed Blessings of being hitched with a Thai (Feb 2006)
 Background: Red Tape Hard lessons in expat paradise (Dec 2006)
 Background: Thai Whiskey How tax keeps Thailand tipsy (Feb 2006)
 Background: Living Up Country Stickman doesn't recommend the 'Real Thailand' life (14th Dec 2005)
 Background: The Morning After Ever woken up with LT girl only to wish you had gone ST (Nov 2005)
 Background: When Last Orders may Really be Your Last Be wary of late night violence (Aug 2005)
 Background: Use of the Word Farang ie Westerner (July 2005)
 Background: The Bangkok Hilton Life on death row (June 2005)
 Background: Opting out of the Thai Family Pension Scheme (May 2005)
 Background: Foreigner in your own House Farangs have names you know! (March 2005)
 Background: Mia Farangs Thai wives and the Thai economy (June 2004)
 Background: Why Wai? when it is better not to (Jan 2003)
 Background: Losing Face Stickman explains (Jan 2003)
 Background: Foreigner Prices Dual pricing (Sep 2003)
 Banking: Would you Credit it? Rules for farangs to get Thai credit cards (July 2008)
 Banking: Money Transfers to Thailand 30% held by bank for 1 year (Dec 2006)
 Banking: Mortgages More on Bangkok Bank mortgages to foreigners (Aug 2005)
 Banking: Farang Friendly Banks Which banks will open a foreigner an account (July 2005)
 Books: Book Reviews About the Thai Life
 Business: Thai Time Businesses to record internet transactions using Thai Standard Time (Aug 2008)
 Buying a Bar: Renovate Your Ideas Successful Bar Ownership (March 2007) 
 Buying a Bar: Business GoGo Going Gone Why do people want get into the GoGo business (Feb 2005)
 Buying a Bar: A Bar in a Million Will people come to yours? (Nov 2005)
 Buying Property: Discouraging Property Purchase Via Company Sleeping partners to be checked for tax (May 2006)
 Buying Property: Home Affairs Buying property in Thailand (June 2004)
 Crime: With so many Britons murdered in Thailand Why does our Government not warn of the dangers? (Jan 2008)
 Crime: Guns in Thailand Thailand near the top of the league in gun murder (Dec 2006)
 Driving: Don't Text and Drive Mobile phone use whilst driving now illegal (May 2008)
 Driving: Tea Junction Identifying hot spots for illegal traffic police 'tolls' (Feb 2006)
 Environment: Tap Water is Clearly Green Whereas bottled water is clearly not green (July 2007) 
 Health Box Aware Deadly box jellyfish new to Thailand (Oct 2008)
 Health: Cancerous Joss Sticks Beware of health hazard in Thai temples (Aug 2008) 
 Health: Don't Let your Typhoid Jabs Lapse Food hygiene is not good in Thailand ( Nov 2005)
 Health: Rabies First aid after an animal bite (May 2005)
 Law: Work Permit Law Official Memo (Jan 2007)
 Law: Sex Toys Illegal to sell in Thailand but tolerated by Customs (July 2005)
 Law: Young Adults Should Avoid Thai Holidays Drinking age is 20 ( July 2005)
 Law: Farang Volunteer Tourist Police Their role in kill joy operations (June 2005)
 Law: Divorce Thai Style essential reading by Stickman (June 2004)
 Law: Age Related sex & marriage (Sept 2003)
 Marriage: Murderous Wives Bar girl and the expat: a killing foretold (Aug 2008)
 Marriage: Farangs seek the warmth of large Thai Families: Bollox conclusion from survey (April 2008) 
 Marriage: Married to Isaan How Issan ladies meet their husband (Dec 2006)
 Marriage: Pizza vs Somtam How Thai life adapts to accommodate farang husbands (Nov 2006)
 Marriage: A Good Little Earner Farang/Thai marriages a hot in Isaan (Aug 2006)
 Marriage: The Ultimate Mother In-Law Joke Paying the bride price (March 2003)
 Motoring: Drink Drive Limits in Thailand (April 2006)
 Motoring: Traffic Carnage High toll amongst motor cyclists (Feb 2005)
 Police Foreign Tourist Police Assistants Who are the black shirts on Walking Street? (Jan 2009)
 Politics: What's Up Down South Summary of the unrest in South Thailand (2Oct 2005)
 Politics: Who Runs Thai TV? Ex Prime Minister Thaksin, the army and Thai Rak Thai (Nov 2005)
 Tax: Tax Allowances to Raise (6th Aug)
 Travel: Airlines on Thai Time Compensation now due for severely delayed or cancelled flights  (Jan 2008)
 Travel: Visa Fees Visas for Thailand more expensive (July 2007) 
 Travel: Hotline for Work Permit, Visa Queries Thai Immigration service (June 2006)
 Travel: Passports Last 6 Months Longer Change of immigration rules (May 2006)
 Travel: One Way Tickets and travelling to Thailand without a visa (April 2006)
 Travel: Tourist Police Overstay their Welcome Overstayers 5 day ordeal (Feb 2006)
 Travel: Surviving Homeland Customs Tips to minimise hassle on your return home (21st Dec 2005)
 Travel: Mug Shots for the Surveillance State New specification for UK passport photos (Aug 2005)
 Travel: Border Hassle Beggars Belief Beware of thieving Cambodian children (Aug 2005)
 Travel: UK Immigration are Coughing Blood Long stay UK visitors need pre-travel TB test (July 2005)
 Travel: Beware of Barcodes in suitcases and parcels to the UK (Nov 2005)
 Travel: A Customary Warning An unpleasant welcome to Thailand (Oct 2006)
 TV: Truely Bollox Work permit required to subscribe to True telephone, TV or internet (Nov 2007)
 TV: Pattaya's Sophon Cable TV Line Up How does Sophon compare to satellite (July 2005)
 Visas: Retirement Requirement More proof of income required for visa extension (Dec 2007) 
 Working: Working it Out Work Permit changes being implemented (Aug 2008)
 Working: Extending Non-Immigrant-B Visas More hoops to work in Thailand (May  2007) 
 Working: Prohibited Occupations for Farangs (Oct 2006)


Scams  Scams Thai-Anxiety on scams
 Bangkok Scams at BangkokScams.com
 The Gem Scam at 2Bangkok.com

Speak Thai  A Thai Primer an introduction to speaking Thai (10th August 2007)
 Months in Thai (15th May 2007)
 Not Enough Hours in the Day to Learn Thai (July 2006)
 Learn Online Suggested websites (March 2006)
 Sex & Slanging A few useful words and phrases (Jan 2006)
 Learn to Speak Thai in 1 Easy Lesson...and then ten years of summer school (Oct 2005)
 Use of the Word Farang ie Westerner (July 2005)

Pattaya Information  Diary Public holidays and special days in Pattaya
 Pattaya Hotels Reader reviews
 Pattaya Phone Book Emergency Numbers & Hospitals (Dec 2005)
 Farang Radio PCNFM 105 radio station specifically for farangs (Aug 2007)
 Pattaya Transport Bus, Train, Plane
 On Google Earth jj's Pattaya place markers (Sep 2006)
 Pattaya Movies and Times Select Pattaya for cinemas at Big C & Royal Garden Plaza
 Pattaya Sophon Cable TV Listings

Pattaya Articles  Good guys go to heaven, bad journalists go to Pattaya (Dec 2007)
 An Irish View Seedy Sex Resort Home to Hundreds of Irish (Dec 2006)
 The People's Paradise Tabloid town with broadsheet aspiration (August 2005)
 Costa del Pattaya British criminals said to settle in Pattaya (April 2005)

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Thai Anxiety home page Home Nightlife Index Nightlife News Bars: North Bars: Naklua News: Thailand Thai Life
Links News Index GoGos: North Soi 6 East Pattaya Scams
Exchange Thai Life Index GoGos: Walking St Soi 7/8 Central Censorship Diary
Reviews Site Index GoGos: South Soi 13s South Farangland Sex Aware
Massage   GoGos: Russian Walking St Jomtien Adult World