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Thailand Confidential Paperback – September 15, 2005

by Jerry Hopkins (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 68 ratings
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"Wanna stand in the face of a charging elephant, get hit by a motorcycle, eat giant water bugs, blowtorch your mouth on some of the hottest chili peppers on earth, then go watch a sex change operation? Of course you don't, but, happily, Jerry Hopkins has done all that and more—lots more—in this darkly humorous, deeply affectionate, clear-eyed but never patronizing portrait of Thailand, his adopted home. Highly recommended." —Tim Cahill, author of Lost in My Own Backyard, Hold the Enlightenment and Jaguars Ripped My Flesh

"After over a decade in the country, Hopkins knows and loves his subject dearly—that much is obvious—and his vivid portrait projects that love from every page." —Jann Wenner, editor and founder of Rolling Stone Magazine

"A loving expose of everything that's wonderful about Thailand, and much that isn't. Should be required reading for all newcomers." —Joe Cummings, author of the Lonely Planet Thailand Guide

Writer Jerry Hopkins came to Thailand for a visit in the 1980s, and ended up a permanent resident with a temporary visa—a big, white farang haunting the bars and back alleys of Bangkok. His essays explore the mystery and mayhem of "The Land of Smiles" to hilarious—and sometimes disturbing—effect. Travel with him to a place where whisky is rum, water buffaloes are gay, insects are dinner, dildos are lucky charms, and your wildest adolescent fantasies can come true (for a nominal fee).
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Periplus Editions
  4. Publication date
    September 15, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    079460093X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0794600938
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

About the Author

Jerry Hopkins wrote bestselling biographies of Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, and Jimi Hendrix and was an editor and correspondent for Rolling Stone for twenty years. He is the author of 30 books, including the recent Extreme Cuisine. He currently lives in Thailand.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Periplus Editions; Original edition (September 15, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 079460093X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0794600938
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 68 ratings

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
68 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

M. Fisher
5.0 out of 5 stars Insider info on a great country!
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2008
Verified Purchase
I love Thailand and have been there many times. This book was very informative and entertaining about a great country - known as "The Land of Smiles". Thailand is like Heaven on Earth for single men. What a country. Lots to do, great food, great culture and low prices.

Jerry Hopkins knows what he is talking about and let me in on things I did not know. A must for anyone thinking of traveling to Thailand.
6 people found this helpful
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Felicia Demos
3.0 out of 5 stars Fair
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
I don’t know why, but I didn’t like this book. I tried to discern between not liking the book or maybe not liking what I read about Thailand or maybe it was both.

The first 3-4 chapters were about sex. Obviously, this is a big part of Thai culture. But I began to feel like taking a shower.

After that, the author moved on to other topics, but I just found myself disliking this country.

He reported his perception of the country and in all fairness, that is what a good book should do.

He articulated well and wasn’t too wordy. I wish I could explain why I was glad to end the book.

I’m very well traveled and never look at places thru rose-colored glasses. I don’t expect countries to be perfect. And I don’t want a book that is going to portray experiences from a touristy point of view.

I just didn’t care for this book- and I don’t know why.

To each his own. I hope I’m alone in this opinion.
One person found this helpful
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Chan Joon Yee
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Way To Get Informed
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2013
Verified Purchase
The first thing that grips you in this book is Jerry Hopkins' style. With lots of self-deprecating humour, Hopkins takes us on an educational tour around the land of smiles, bars, beer wars, spirits, amulets, body snatchers, sex change operations, aphrodisiacs, sticky rice and fiery soups.

The good thing about this book, is that there is no particular order or sequence with which you should read it. Skip the chapters that bore you. Pick out the chapters that interest you. There is no central theme. Some chapters sound like confessions. Some sound like serious journalism and some even sound like history lessons. Nevertheless, humour and a reader-friendly approach are the main selling points here. Compared to  Bizarre Thailand : Tales of Crime, Sex and Black Magic , this is a lighter and slightly easier read, so I won't list the chapters.

Like many books in this genre, there are also attempts to highlight some mind-boggling aspects of Thai culture, customs and practices. Hopkins did a marvellous job here. A great read for anyone on vacation in Thailand.

 Siam Smile/s - Secret of the Thais

"Hello My Big Big Honey!" Love Letters to Bangkok Bar Girls and Their Revealing Interviews

Spellbound In Chiangmai
2 people found this helpful
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Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge a book by it's cover
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
My wife and I have just visited Thailand for our first time. I purchased this book, based on recent Amazon reviews, in order to prepare for this trip, but I had reservations about the cover. This book was remarkably well written,and easy to read. It was accurate and quite helpful with respect to having some insight into the Thai culture, behaviors, and customs. I would recommend it for any first time Thai traveler, but would change the cover.
2 people found this helpful
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vamcz
3.0 out of 5 stars the added info becomes unnecessary. It offers a good idea of the lives ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
Conversational writing made this interesting to begin; however, once the idea catches on, the added info becomes unnecessary. It offers a good idea of the lives of expats from every walk of life now choosing to live in Thailand.
One person found this helpful
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GaryShawn
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and recommended for anyone interested or planning a trip to Thailand
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Interesting memoir and information about Thailand. i enjoyed the author's sharing of his experiences and perspectives
on life in Thailand. Very educational but some parts of the book did not grab me.
I would recommend it to anyone planning a visit to Thailand to get a feel for the land and the people.
I think the cover could have been better, looks like a cheap noir novel instead of a great memoir.
One person found this helpful
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Patrick K. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2009
Verified Purchase
Very good read.
I read this book before going to Thailand and it really did help me out when I arrived and stayed there for two weeks. I like the humor and sarcasm and it opened my eyes to different cultures, customs and lifestyles of the Thai people.
This book is definatly worth a read.
4 people found this helpful
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Travis G. Snyder
2.0 out of 5 stars Well written, in a pessimistic baby boomer sort of way.
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2013
Verified Purchase
You can learn something from everyone, and Jerry Hopkins is no exception. Reading his book, helped me move into my mindset for a trip to Thailand, without me realizing it. Thailand is a place of contradiction, like the US, like the Buddha, like people's internal struggle. This book, along with several others, helped me to go to that place, in an honest way, and be myself, and respect those that were being themselves. At the same time, it helped me to keep up a background of vigilance, in the sense, that people are always looking out for themselves, no matter where you go, and it's good to know the rules of a culture that you have never visited. It offered me the freedom to be me, an American, to be me, respectful, to be me, curious, and it was one of the books I read before going to Thailand.

Sincerley,
T (tgsnydermd@yahoo.com)

PS: I tore the cover off of the book, because it was a little creepy in an 80s sort of way.
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Top reviews from other countries

Lane
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2012
Verified Purchase
I would recommend this to anyone about to embark on a trip to Thailand, rather than flower everything up it gives you the good things and the bad, and why the bad things make Thailand what it is.
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kasia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, very witty writing
Reviewed in Australia on August 30, 2015
Verified Purchase
Great read, very witty writing, gives a real insight into thai people and their society. Cant wait to go now after reading it
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Giorgio Federico
1.0 out of 5 stars Silent please
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2009
Verified Purchase
I looked forward to receiving this book but I found it to be rather disappointing. The title is completely misleading and considering the image displayed "silent" might have been a better option. The author made a smart move in publishing a collections of his previous journalistic efforts and the title is captivating. Unfortunately for me, it failed to ignite significant interest.The view of Thailand as narrated by someone who happens to be male, american and older may have his limitations but I tried to keep an open mind and finished the book. The style of writing was good but the subjects chosen did not always show a contemporary view or a meaningful insight. However, I do not wish to denigrade the author and it may work for others.
3 people found this helpful
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