There
are not too many books which are as enjoyable to read a second time around,
but I can assure you that Thai Lite 2 - the Refill (ISBN
974-93671-3-8, Bangkok Books, 2005) definitely is. What is more, this
collection of 35 short essays written by S. Tsow (a pseudonym), dealing with
life in Thailand really is ‘timeless’.
I was delighted with this book when it was first
published, so forgive me if I quote from my earlier review. Amongst the
evocative (provocative?) titles is “A guide for western Romeos, Why getting
romantically involved with a Thai bargirl is not a good idea: The Law of
Escalating Demands and the Behind-the-Buffalo factor.” S. Tsow delves deeper
with sociological explanations of the family pecking order (and your place
in it) and quotes from other writers and references to Leary’s Law from
Collin Piprell’s “Bangkok Knights” which states ‘If you must marry, marry an
orphan’.
You will read in the media of expats asking why does the
council allow street vendors to block city streets, making it difficult for
people to walk past. Tsow has an in-depth delve into the Dukkha Syndrome,
attempting to explain the phenomenon by reference to ancient Buddhist
practices. Unfortunately he is totally wrong and he finally admits this in
print, writing “Every time you think you’ve got Thai culture all figured
out, it throws a curved ball at you that shatters all your theories and puts
you right back to square one.” Factual!
With floods in Bangkok a perennial problem, Tsow has put
together a chapter to help you wade through the morass. He has two simple
rules,
1. Stock up on beer
2. There is no 2.
He also mentions the following salient point, “If the
floods are prolonged, you may worry about how to get to work. Don’t worry
about it. Nobody will be going to work. Sit home and drink beer. That’s what
you bought it for.” If you need further encouragement in following his
simple two step, he writes, “Think about Noah who was stuck on the ark for
40 days and 40 nights with no beer and all those animals with their fragrant
by-products. Not to mention Mrs. Noah who cannot have been pleased with the
situation.”
One wonderfully satirical chapter is entitled, “The Quest
for Quality Tourists,” with the sub-head: An interview with the newly
appointed Minister for Social Control, Khun Pharisee Savonarolakul: her
stern views on quality tourists; why Jesus and Buddha don’t qualify.” Khun
Pharisee describes plainly just what Thailand is looking for. “These
standards reflect Thai values. Our most important value is money, so our
first requirement is that quality tourists must be filthy rich.”
I chanced upon this book on Bookazine’s shelves, which these days seems
to have a surfeit of poorly written memoirs masquerading as books. S. Tsow
is a good writer and this book is not of the genre just mentioned. It is
amusing, and informative, particularly if you know how to read between the
lines. At B. 325 it is a cheap read, and I enjoyed it (again).
