Wondering Into Thai Culture, Or, Thai Whys, and Otherwise

There is, without exception, no better book to explain Thai culture to the foreigner than this book. Redmond takes you right to the essence of every dilemma faced by a foreigner attempting to understand Thai. The only problem is that you will not believe what he is saying is true. Worse, you will be tempted to say to yourself, "this will never happen to me." I am sorry to tell you, it will! Thai culture is so completely unlike Western thinking. Redmond's most important chapter, and the place where you should start, is titled "Responsibility, the unselfishness of not being there." Redmond says, "When problems crop up in this country it is nice to know that no one is responsible. That saves you the trouble of finding scapegoats, assigning blame, and generally offending the only people who can help you with your trouble." Master this concept and you can live in peace and harmony with Thai people. This book is essential reading for anyone planning to live in Thailand or do business with Thai people. I live in Thailand and face these issues everyday. What I like best is that Redmond is not an apologist, he is not trying to make a pretty picture or show favoritism as so many foreigners who write about Thailand do. Reading Redmond's book prepared for my own more provocative adventures in the Land of Smiles. In fact, Redmond's book helped inspired me to write my own more risqué book titled Foreign Relations: A Comic Guide to Thai Ladies

It is an amalgamation of articles. It throws up a myriad of theories for Thai culture and their way of life. Obviously a witty writer, but possibly too much for his own good. His cynicism and sarcasm was hard to read at times, not knowing if he was serious or not was confusing - but maybe that was his point. Like Freud, sounds great, but I wonder how much substance to it there really is. Its a great thought provoker though - worth a read, even for the non-Thai initiated.