Architecture of Siam : A Cultural History Interpretation by Clarence T. Aasen This book is about the special and identifying role architecture has played over the last 15 centuries
in the construction of the highly diverse and complex culture of Siam. The combination of its written
and visual content and its contemporary theoretical underpinnings makes this the most
comprehensive, critical and challenging interpretation of Siamese architecture that has been written.
Dear Uncle Go: Male Homosexuality in Thailand by Peter A Jackson Jackson's book is an ingenious analysis of a unique corpus of texts, and provides a series of insights
into a society that must be explained if we are to understand the range of social organizations of
homosexuality. To open such a discourse is no small accomplishment. Jackson deserves praise for
his pioneering work.
Descriptions of Old Siam (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks) by Michael Smithies This book is both a scholar's and an arm-chair traveller's delight as you travel through Thailand (and
Burma) through the eyes of travellers from different times and places. I found the differing views of
daily life very interesting. There is also much to read about in the areas of wats/bots (temples) and
asian art. It's not an easy read, though, and I found the print too small for prolonged sampling.
Hello, My Big Big Honey! : Love Letters to
Bangkok Bar Girls and Their Revealing
Interviews. By Dave Walker/Richard S. Ehrlich When I'm asked to cite references on
the commercial sex scene in Thailand, this book always occupies the top of the list. No one says it as
well as the women themselves, and I found these interviews to be very credible. The foreword, by a
Thai academic, was also among the more enlightening essays I've read on this topic.
Should be read by any male or female contemplating an entree into Thailand's "demi-monde". Order it from the .
Hush! : A Thai Lullaby
by Minfong Ho, Holly Meade (Illustrator) Your children will love this story. It nicely introduces children to Thailand without boring them with
facts, instead the story is wonderfully rhythmic and teaches animal sounds as it will lull your child into
gentle sleep. It's Our Favorite!
Let the Good Times Roll : Prostitution and the U.S. Military in Asia Reviewer: "Chris Sanchez".
Having worked for the US military throughout Asia, and having been to every area described in this
book, I will concede that the authors DO accurately portray working conditions for the women
described at the time the research was done. However, by the time the book was published (1992)
US Subic Naval Base at Olongapo had closed, and Okinawa and Korea's upwardly mobile
economy had drastically changed the night life district, making sexual services prohibitively expensive
for most active duty US military. The effect is that whilst reading this book, one is thinking "OK,
interesting to see how things WERE, but none of this is applicable today". If we're going to complain
about GI's messing around with Asian bargirls in the late 80's/ early 90's, then heck while we're at it
let's complain about them using French bordellos during World War I. Also tiresome is the
underlying tone of "Look at these poor women and what the big bad US military is doing to them".
As if the US is responsible for seedy bartowns in Asian countries. If all the base bartowns
disappeard overnight, sure a few GI's might be disappointed, but you wouldn't see the Command
structure demanding that they return. It's as simple as this guys, if you REALLY don't want the
American GI's to buy something- then don't sell it! Sure, I know the girls are poor, and working as
bargirls may be the only way to make money for some of them. But the single US soldire can't do
anything about the economic stratification between his country and another's. And if you open up a
bar next to a base full of 18-25 yr old GI's, well, what do you expect is going to happen?
A Marshall Health Guide: Thai Massage by Maria Mercati Order it from the .
The men of Thailand (6th Edition): Thailand's Culture & Gay Subculture by Eric G. Allyn This is the most praised guidebook for gay men ever published. Reviewers and users have praised its
cultural sensitivity, its frankness, and insight. Includes an extensive discussion of Thailand's culture
and its gay subculture, practical etiquette, plus resources and listings for 15 Thai cities. Each listing is
in Thai script you can use to point-and-show to get around. Also includes maps for major locations
with a gay scene. Considered essential for any gay visitor to the Land of Smiles.
Michelin Green Guide Thailand (Serial) An indispensable guide to the natural and cultural attractions of Thailand. Informative essays in the
Introduction presents background information on the country, its history and artistic trends, its
language and distinctive cultures, and its culinary traditions. Two summary maps show the principal
sights. Includes more than 150 color photos and over 30 detailed maps.
Muay Thai: Knockout One (VHS) Reviewer: "English Bob" from Northern VA.
If you are interested in learning one of the most punishing martial arts available, then this set of videos
is an excellent introduction for you. Master K (the instructor) is a 62 year old veteran of more than
70 Muay Thai wins and a retired champion from Thailand. He has a very high standard which he
brings to his teaching and this is evident from the videos.
I have trained with Master K for two years and have learned a lot from him. While you will not learn
Muay Thai from these videos alone, they carry a lot of useful information which can be used to help
improve your technique.
Muay Thai: Knockout Two (VHS) Follow along as Master Kumron Vaitayanon, a retired professional Muay Thai fighter with over 80
wins in Thailand, teaches you the essential kicking and knee striking skills of Muay Thai. This hard
hitting tape takes you inside Master K's gym as he works with his fighters, showing you how they
train and teaching you the finer points of this brutal art including:
* The two most commonly used kicks in Muay Thai: the push kick and the roundhouse kick * The
most essential kicking/punching combinations
* The secret to taking full contact kicks day after day in training
* Training methods for kicking and knee strikes including the heavy bag, body protector and pads
* The best way to combine your kicks and footwork for deception and speed
* The fundamental footwork of Muay Thai
* The correct Muay Thai skills to use in each fighting range, in the ring or on the street
* The fundamentals of clinching, including how to use the clinch to punish your opponent with knee
strikes to the head and body
* The proper method of breathing for power and stamina
* The use of the knee in Muay Thai, including several methods of striking to the body and head
* Effective defensive use of kicks to stop your opponent's hand strikes
This fascinating tape also includes scenes of full contact Muay Thai fight footage filmed in Thailand. If
you are interested in learning this hard hitting art or would like to add the devastating kicking and
knee striking skills of Muay Thai to the art you practice, this tape is for you.
Night Market : Sexual Cultures and the Thai Economic Miracle Reviewer: "Charles M. Love" from Rock Springs, WYoming USA
I've been involved in and taught cultural anthropology for 27 years. I don't normally underline very
much in a book, but after combing through this one I found I had made some 174 major
underlinings, mostly critical. I also made 137 major separate notes in the margins and at the end of
chapters, alas, also mostly critical. For those of you who do not wish to read the whole of this
review, let me advise you to use this book only as a classic example of how not to do
anthropological research and how not to write it, and to a certain extent, how not to publish it (the
backing falls apart in less than two readings and you are ultimately treated to piles of pages).
Patpong Sisters : An American Woman's View of the Bangkok Sex World by Cleo Odzer The title of this book is utterly misleading. Ms. Odzer goes to Thailand to study women in the sex
trade, but she quickly reveals that she is revolted by the work they do and that she is squeamish
about stepping into the sex clubs in which they work. Instead, she spends the rest of the book going
on about an affair she had with a married Thai man. How angry she is at his wife. How unfairly life is
treating her. And on and on. It is boring, not even remotely informative. As a reader, I felt as used as
the Thai people with whom Ms. Odzer interacted, and I felt no sympathy or empathy for the author
or her actions...
Siam Mapped : A History of the Geo-Body of a Nation by Thongchai Winichakul This work focuses on how this conflict between more local conceptions of space, often
based on budhist cosmology, and more western concepts of politically bordered and defined states
led to the crisis of 1893. Thongchai Winichakul's essential thesis concerns not a typical narrative of
how Siam, and later Thailand, came to be, but how the perception of space changed in order to
allow the creation of what he terms the 'geo-body' of the nation. This geo-body, whether as a map in
schools or a logo for a political party, serves as one of the key ways in which nationalism is
transmitted from generation to generation. In short, this work provides a new analysis of one of the
many ways in which the Thai nation was created as an idea. As such, this book is valuable reading
for those interested in Thai and/or Southeast Asian history, or in the discourses and transmission of
nationalism in general.
Thai Boxing Dynamite : The Explosive Art of Muay Thai by Rebac Zoran This book describes all the basic techniques in detail, but tapers off when explaining advanced
techniques like jumping round kicks and knees. It has VERY concise explanations of the front kick
(foot jab) and round kick. The elbow sections are dated, but informative. This book is from 1987,
and most of the material has not been updated on the "westernization" of Thai boxing. Jab, Cross,
Hook is NOT covered. The author has the habit of writing an introductory paragraph on a
technique, a few lines on execution, and then a piece on fighting application. Most of the sections
really should be expanded. This book has excellent pictures and background information. The
summary of the training routine is excellent. You could easily set up a program with a partner using
this book. Overall, taking into account the shortage of material on Muay Thai, I would recommend
this book to the beginner. Don't fool yourself, though. You MUST have an instructor to learn Muay
Thai! Order it from the .
Thai Ceramics by Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
Order it from the .
Thai Constructions of Knowledge by Manas Chitakasem, Andrew Turton Order it from the .
Thai Foolishness Cafe by Melvyn Couch Order it from the .
Thai Massage Manual : Natural Therapy for
Flexibility, Relaxation and Energy Balance
by Maria Mercati This is a quality book that is a good introduction to the marvelous field of Thai Massage. The photos
are clear and the descriptions of technique are competent. There are aspects that are lacking though
that are extremely well covered in another book entitled, 'Thai Massage: A Traditional Medical
Technique'by Dr. Richard Gold and published by Churchill Livingstone. This book presents Thai
Massage as a primary component of an entire traditional medical system. The theories and history of
Thai Medicine are covered and the development of the medicine in the context of Buddhist culture is
very well presented.This book also has excellent photos and clear and easy to follow descriptions.
Thai Massage is a unique style of bodywork that will see rapid growth in the West as it becomes
better known.These books will certainly help that growth.
Thai Scene: Gay Pocket Guide to Thailand by M. Notcutt Order it from the .
Thai Silk Order it from the .
Thai Society in Comparative Perspective by Erik Cohen Order it from the .
!!!
Hello, My Big Big Honey! : Love Letters to
Bangkok Bar Girls and Their Revealing
Interviews. By Dave Walker/Richard S. Ehrlich 
Let the Good Times Roll : Prostitution and the U.S. Military in Asia 
The men of Thailand (6th Edition): Thailand's Culture & Gay Subculture by Eric G. Allyn 
Muay Thai: Knockout One (VHS)