Covering everything from Thai history and culture to successful foreigners in Thailand, UK-born journalist Jody Houton presents an
insightful take on Thailand and its people in his new book, A Geek in Thailand
insightful take on Thailand and its people in his new book, A Geek in Thailand
 | Your book sure is comprehensive. How many years did you work on it? It took around three years to research, write and edit. This included a six-month delay prompted by the onset of the coup, as it was decided it wasn’t the best time to release a ‘lighthearted, fun book about Thailand’. What is your favourite part of the book? I loved learning and writing about the Thai Arts and Entertainment. I think that Thai art, in particular, is a woefully unrecognised and undervalued part of the culture. There are some exceptional artists, creating some great work, and speaking with some of them and learning more about their work and inspirations was very interesting. I also felt this way about Thai movies and being able to share my research, and hopefully encourage other foreigners to go and watch some of the titles was very satisfying. I basically loved this section, because much of it was virgin territory, at least for the wider English language market. |
| What was the hardest subject to write about? The hardest subject to write about, not because it was particularly difficult to understand, or because I had to write delicately or sensitively, was the topic of food because I wanted to find things that hadn’t necessarily been written about before. As Thai food, much like Thai temples has been covered extensively, I, as well as including breakdowns on regional differences etc, also interviewed the founder of an international Thai food restaurant, as well as a som tam street vendor to bring a little colour, and attempt to package and present the topic in a less formulaic, and more interesting light. |  |
What was the most interesting thing you learned during your research?
There were loads of interesting little nuggets I learned during the research. For example, the grandson of the exiled former prime minister Pridi Banomyong, Ariya Banomyong is now working for a mobile messaging app, Line. I think Thai history and its tendency to repeat itself is fascinating.
Anything you left out which, with hindsight, you wish you had included?
There were certain things I’d wished I’d been able to write about that were vetoed by the publisher. However, I also think it’s the nature of committing anything to print that upon submission you’re constantly wishing you could change or modify certain things. There are some bits and bobs that I’d like to add in the new print run, though. Fun little weird things that have a broader implication on the Thai national character or history, like luk thep dolls or the huge wax statues of monks. Those are just two little things I’ll be making way for in the next run.
After studying and writing about Thailand so extensively, does the kingdom still have the power to shock or surprise you?
Yes, in both positive and negative ways. If I’ve been away for a long time and then return, the warm welcome and level of hospitality always surprise me. The constant need to check whether things are indeed as they appear is frustratingly shocking and can foster a sort of perpetual paranoia.
There were loads of interesting little nuggets I learned during the research. For example, the grandson of the exiled former prime minister Pridi Banomyong, Ariya Banomyong is now working for a mobile messaging app, Line. I think Thai history and its tendency to repeat itself is fascinating.
Anything you left out which, with hindsight, you wish you had included?
There were certain things I’d wished I’d been able to write about that were vetoed by the publisher. However, I also think it’s the nature of committing anything to print that upon submission you’re constantly wishing you could change or modify certain things. There are some bits and bobs that I’d like to add in the new print run, though. Fun little weird things that have a broader implication on the Thai national character or history, like luk thep dolls or the huge wax statues of monks. Those are just two little things I’ll be making way for in the next run.
After studying and writing about Thailand so extensively, does the kingdom still have the power to shock or surprise you?
Yes, in both positive and negative ways. If I’ve been away for a long time and then return, the warm welcome and level of hospitality always surprise me. The constant need to check whether things are indeed as they appear is frustratingly shocking and can foster a sort of perpetual paranoia.
