Most tourists in Thailand clutch their Lonely Planet guides and follow a well-worn path: a quick stop in Bangkok, trekking outside of Chiang Mai, cocktails on the beach in Phuket. They see so little; they miss so much. To Thailand With Love tells where to eat cobra salad, where to find ghosts in Ayutthaya, where to spend an evening among fireflies, where to meet sea gypsies or hear the songs of gibbons, where to spend a day on a rice farm, where to learn to make paper from elephant dung. Add to this shopping tips, restaurant recommendations, secret sanctuaries provided by expats and frequent visitors—and an unforgettable trip is guaranteed.

This book examines two aspects of the abbreviated reign of King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946), or King Rama VIII, of the current Chakri dynasty of Thailand. First, it discusses the royal family’s plot to thwart a romantic relationship between the young king, Ananda, and his Swiss girlfriend, Marileine Ferrari, a daughter of a famous pastor of Lausanne, Switzerland. Interracial marriage, particularly with Westerners, has been strictly forbidden for Thai kings or heirs apparent. The restriction stems from the interwoven connection between sexual relationship and the security of the throne. The second part investigates the mysterious death of King Ananda, a long-held taboo topic in Thailand. Although the two events were not specially related, both in their own way served to unavoidably shake the position of the monarchy and hence threaten its existence. The palace’s reactions to these events demonstrated its continuous search to maintain its power and ultimately to warrant its survival.

"To be fortunate enough to visit Thailand--to eat in Thailand--is a deep dive into a rich, many-textured, very old culture of flavors and colors ranging far beyond the familiar spectrum." --Anthony Bourdain Thailand is known for its incredible street food and specialty stalls. With the help of this book, visitors can experience the very best of streetside dining. Writer, food blogger, and Bangkok resident Chawadee Nualkhair guides you throughout the country--recommending everything from popular favorites to off the beaten path must dos. Divided by region, Nualkhair successfully debunks the myth that Bangkok is the only place to find great Thai street food. By eating her way across the country, from Phuket in the south to Chiang Mai in the north, she ensures all travelers will have a tasty, authentic experience. Nualkhair draws on her vast experience to provide essential tips on and logistic help in locating the best street food stalls, including: An introduction to and pronunciation guide for common ingredients and dishes Directions to each location Street maps for each area Serving options Ordering tips Seating and bathroom facilities Photos of the best dishes This edition has been updated and revised, and includes 11 new street stall recommendations. In case you want to recreate your favorite finds at home, this book also includes 12 recipes for popular dishes, adapted for Western kitchens and ingredients.

"This is Thailand" is the riveting real-life account of Marek Lenarcik's blind leap from the safe, comfortable and utterly bullshit, corporate world of Dublin to the charming, exotic beaches of Thailand. With rose-tinted glasses firmly in place, Marek fully expects to find a land of exotic fruits, beautiful women and an easy-going tropical lifestyle. Which he does. At first. Traveling from Phuket to Bangkok and throughout Thailand's exotic locales, Marek's desire to experience all the forbidden fruits Thailand has to offer leads him to Piam, a gorgeous, kind, independent Thai girl who, he is convinced, might well be the one. But as he immerses himself deeper into this strange country, replete with often inexplicable thought-patterns, worldviews and customs, Marek begins to discover a much darker, more complex side to the Land of Smiles and its inhabitants. Soon, Piam begins to reveal her true colours. It soon dawns on him that, despite his best intentions (most of the time), he has been ensnared -- as have many men before him -- by the dreaded Honey Trap. The stormy relationship that ensues provides a fascinating backdrop to the insights into Thailand's unique culture that stem from Marek's efforts to come to terms with the reality of the country and the people who call it home.

From one of the most respected authorities on Thai cooking comes this beautiful and deeply personal ode to Bangkok, the top-ranked travel destination in the world. WINNER OF THE ART OF EATING PRIZE Every year, more than 16 million visitors flock to Thailand’s capital city, and leave transfixed by the vibrant culture and unforgettable food they encounter along the way. Thai cuisine is more popular today than ever, yet there is no book that chronicles the real food that Thai people eat every day—until now. In Bangkok, award-winning author Leela Punyaratabandhu offers 120 recipes that capture the true spirit of the city—from heirloom family dishes to restaurant classics to everyday street eats to modern cosmopolitan fare. Beautiful food and location photography will make this a must-have keepsake for any reader who has fallen under Bangkok’s spell.

The definitive Thai cookbook from a YouTube star! Growing up in Thailand, Pailin Chongchitnant spent her childhood with the kitchen as her playground. From a young age, she would linger by the stove, taking in the sight of snowy white coconut being shredded, the smell of lemongrass-infused soups, and the sound of the pestle pounding against the granite mortar. Years later, as a Cordon Bleu–educated chef in San Francisco, Pailin vividly remembered the culinary experiences of her youth. And so, on YouTube, Hot Thai Kitchen was born. Combining her love of teaching with her devotion to Thai food, Pailin immediately connected with thousands of fans who wanted a friend and educator. In this much-anticipated cookbook, Pailin brings her signature warmth and impressive technique to Thai food lovers everywhere. She begins by taking readers on a beautifully photographed trip to Thailand to explore the culinary culture and building blocks central to Thai food. With foolproof and easy-to-follow instructions, Pailin breaks down the key ingredients, flavours, equipment, and techniques necessary to master authentic Thai cooking. Then, she shares her must-make recipes for curries, soups, salads, and stir-fries, including entire chapters on vegetarian and vegan dishes, dips and dipping sauces, and sumptuous Thai desserts. With QR codes to video tutorials placed throughout the book, you’ll be able to connect with Pailin online, too. Both a definitive resource and an extraordinary exploration of Thai cuisine, Hot Thai Kitchen will delight and inspire you in your Thai cooking journey.