Thailand evokes a sense of mystery like few countries in the Eastern hemisphere do.
From its celestial beaches on the gulf to the bustling capital of Bangkok, the country gives new meaning to the word "exotic."
Whether you're planning a trip or just looking for some guilty pleasure literature, these are the Thai-set books you have to read.
"Anna and the King Of Siam" by Margaret Landon
The book follows Anna Leonowens, a young English widow and mother who comes to work under King Mongkut of Siam in the 1860s. She joins his staff to help him communicate with foreign governments, and tutor his favored concubines and children. One of the sons soaks up her Western teachings and years later becomes Siam's most progressive king.
The inspiration for the hit musical and movie, "Anna and the Kind of Siam" will transport you to a lush landscape of mystic faiths and curious people while sneaking in a history lesson.
"Bangkok 8" by John Burdett
Bangkok is not a city for the faint of heart. This dark comedy thriller peels the curtain back on the capital's illicit drug scene, infinite corruption, and fast-paced lifestyle, while also giving way to a deeper understanding of Thai Buddhism.
When his partner is killed off-duty, Sonchai Jitpleecheep — a police officer and devout Buddhist — is hellbent on seeking revenge. He teams up with a beautiful FBI agent to track down his partner's murderer, traversing the shady underworld of one of the world's most exotic cities.
"Bangkok Days" by Lawrence Osborne
Not your typical tourist, Osborne frequents Thailand for the cheap dentistry. Discovering he can live for a few dollars a day there, this English-born journalist extends his trip indefinitely and begins the most visceral chapter in his chapter.
In a city where illicit pleasure is easily found and bought, he restores his faith in adventure and the world: dining on insects at a roadside stall, eating at a restaurant where his waitress feeds him like a baby, and launching a career as a gigolo. All the while his twisted sexual mores mix with ancient Buddhist practices for a culturally enriching experience.
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