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 is the true story of a self-confessed sexual zealot who, while satisfying his lust with bar girls in Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, is compelled by the intensity of his libido to find its deeper meaning through Tantra. Tantra teaches that the fast track to enlightenment and to 'God', is not celibacy as Buddha and Jesus taught, but Maithuna or sacred sex. In Tantra, Go-Go dancers and escorts are avatars of the goddess Shakti and can be used as spiritual rocket fuel. His love of women eventually persuades him to marry a Thai girl that creates an impossible dilemma in his life. He is torn between his love for one woman and his insatiable need for Go-Go dancers, who in Thailand are beautiful, affordable, and abundant. He fears his sex utopia in Thailand is threatened by the Islamic insurgency in the south. Beneath the face of tourist paradise, Thailand is afflicted with divisive political and religious unrest. Thailand is waiting for the new Buddha to return to establish a golden age of peace. But Buddha is not coming back and only the sex gods of Tantra can save Thailand. Only the sex gods can save the world.

“There are more than a few books by farangs about Thailand, ‘True Thai Love Storys’ is one of the best. “The characters were so representative of the people I had met in Thailand that I felt I knew many of them already”. Heinz Duthel is more then an Insider, he must be the main actor... Richard Stone, Singapore Straits Times

Over the past several years, the Thai popular culture landscape has radically transformed due to the emergence of “Boys Love” (BL) soap operas which celebrate the love between handsome young men. Boys Love Media in Thailand: Celebrity, Fans, and Transnational Asian Queer Popular Culture is the first book length study of this increasingly significant transnational pop culture phenomenon. Drawing upon six years of ethnographic research, the book reveals BL's impacts on depictions of same-sex desire in Thai media culture and the resultant mainstreaming of queer romance through new forms of celebrity and participatory fandom. The author explores how the rise of BL has transformed contemporary Thai consumer culture, leading to heterosexual female fans of male celebrities who perform homoeroticism becoming the main audience to whom Thai pop culture is geared. Through the case study of BL, this book thus also investigates how Thai media is responding to broader regional trends across Asia where the economic potentials of female and queer fans are becoming increasingly important. Baudinette ultimately argues that the center of queer cultural production in Asia has shifted from Japan to Thailand, investigating both the growing international fandom of Thailand's BL series as well as the influence of international investment into the development of these media. The book particularly focuses on specific case studies of the fandom for Thai BL celebrity couples in Thailand, China, the Philippines, and Japan to explore how BL series have transformed each of these national contexts' queer consumer cultures.

This book challenges assumptions about the motivations that drive women from relatively poor, developing countries to use intermarriage dating sites to find partners from relatively wealthy, developed countries. It is generally assumed that economic deprivation or economic opportunities are the main factors, but this book instead focuses on the work of women’s imagination in online cross-cultural relationships, including the role of desire, love and intimacy. The experiences of Thai women are used to explore how they initiate, develop and maintain love and intimacy with Western men across distance and time. The book shows that, in the absence of opportunities to search and meet partners from geographically distant parts of the world, the technology of the internet offers new ways of searching for and managing relationships and has significant consequences for local experiences and expectations of love and partnering. The book will be of interest to scholars and students with an interest in family and intimate life, gender and sexualities, Asian and Thai studies, globalization and nationalism, culture and media, sociology and anthropology.

Discover this exciting destination with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to island-hop your way down the Andaman coast, sample street food at Bangkok's night markets or trek to the hill tribes around Chiang Mai, The Rough Guide to Thailand will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. - Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget. - Full-colour maps throughout- navigate Bangkok's backstreets and stroll around Krabi town without needing to get online. - Stunning images - a rich collection of inspiring colour photography. - Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of Thailand's best sights and experiences. - Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. - Detailed regional coverage - whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Bangkok; Chiang Mai; Ko Samui; Ko Pha Ngan; Ko Lanta; Phuket; Ko Phi Phi; Krabi; Ko Tao; Ko Chang; Ko Kood; Ko Samet; Ko Mak; Pai; Ayutthaya; Nakhon Si Thammarat; Nan; Ao Phang Nga. Attractions include: Chatuchak Weekend Market; Jim Thompson's House; Wat Pho; Khmer ruinsat Phimai; Khao Yai National Park; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep; The Grand Palace; Wat Phu Tok; The National Museum. - Basics - essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, outdoor activities, spas and traditional massage, meditation centres and retreats, culture and etiquette, travelling with children, and more. - Background information- a Contexts chapter devoted to history, religion, art and architecture, flora and fauna, environmental issues, music, hill tribes, film and recommended books, plus a handy language section. Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Thailand. About Rough Guides: Escape the everyday with Rough Guides. We are a leading travel publisher known for our"tell it like it is" attitude, up-to-date content and great writing. Since 1982, we've published books covering more than 120 destinations around the globe, with an ever-growing series of ebooks, a range of beautiful, inspirational reference titles, and an award-winning website. We pride ourselves on our accurate, honest and informed travel guides.

Romancing The Thai By Mark Reynolds is the only Thai romance language Phrasebook you’re going to be needing when holidaying in Thailand. This book will introduce you to all the most useful Thai romantic phrases you’ll ever need when looking for love & romance in the Land Of Smiles. The book includes... 1) Ice breakers. Hello how are you ? What’s your name? etc. No Thai language Romantic phrasebook should be without these basic bread and butter ice breakers. 2) Talking about the Thai girls family. This is going to score you brownie points when dating most Thai women! 3) Basic romantic talk. Have you got a boyfriend / girlfriend? Would you like to go out? Etc. 4) Eating out. There’s nothing like a bit of whining and dinning to get the ball rolling! 5) Romantic phrases and conversations. “I love you” “I want to share my life with you” etc. 6) Conversational text sections where you can practice your Thai in various realistic everyday language situational exchanges. 7) A section about getting married. 8) Having problems and want out of the relationship? There is a handy section that introduces you to some helpful phrases to deal with these types of situations. 9) In the bedroom section. This is where you’ll get a chance to really flex your linguistic muscle! 10) A little section about health and chemists just in case! And lots lots more... A Thai Language Phrase Book With A Difference Romancing the Thai is not simply just another “wham bam thank you mam” Thai love language phrasebook guide - it goes deeper than that! This guide will not only teach you the most important aspects of the Thai romance language – but will also provide the reader with a working blueprint that they can easily follow in order to achieve success in casual or long term relationships with Thai women. Romancing The Thai Language Phrasebook can be used, and is suitable in many situations. It can be utilized by... 1) Men who are looking for a serious long term relationships with Thai Girls & marriage. 2) Men who are just taking a short vacation in Thailand - and are looking to have some no strings attached fun - with the many Thai bar girls who work the nightlife venues of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. 3) Men & women regardless of their sexual orientation (gay men & lesbians will also find the language useful and relevant). 4) Students of the Thai language as a vocabulary and Lexis expander. 5) Anyone who is interested in reading a light hearted fun Thai language phrase book. And Finally! If you’re planning a vacation in Thailand – then “Romancing The Thai Language Phrasesbook” is a must have. So don’t leave home without it!!!