'Bangkok Babylon' about strangers in Bangkok
Those who have been living in Thailand for years can imagine something about this book by Jerry Hopkins.
Thailand and especially Bangkok sometimes seems like a melting pot of special people from all over the world. Adventurers, sailors, businessmen, but also criminals and downcasts. They seek their happiness elsewhere. The reason is guessable. Perhaps a broken heart, debts, on the run from…. or just looking for a new life.
'The Real-Life Exploits of Bangkok's Legendary Expatriates Are Often Stranger Than Fiction' Although half a word is usually enough, the subtitle of the book hits the nail on the head.
Hopkins describes his first years as an expat in Bangkok. He especially remembers the encounters with a number of colorful figures. In his book he reviews the 25 most special ones. Among them is a man who thinks he has been the role model for Colonel Kurtz's character in Armageddon. But also a marketing executive who says he photographs Thai bargirls for Playboy. And an Oscar-winning screenwriter who moved to Bangkok to die.
It's not just about dubious characters or village idiots. The writer also introduces readers to a priest who actually lived and worked in the slums of Bangkok for 35 years. Also striking is a circus dwarf who first became a computer programmer and later a restaurateur in the 'City of Angels'. Or the Vietnam veterans, three helicopter pilots, who opened a go-go bar.
The list of encounters continues with a pianist from one of the world's best hotels making the top 10 on the FBI's most wanted list. There is also a detective who tracks down people who have faked their deaths to, for example, collect the payment from a life insurance policy. And a documentary maker who now lives among the elephants.
All characters have one thing in common. They once left for Thailand to rediscover themselves or to chase their dreams.
The book can be ordered from Amazon.com for $14. More information: www.amazon.com/ or for 16 euros at Bol.com: www.bol.com/nl/f/bangkok-babylon/30110975/
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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Quote; All characters have one thing in common. They once left for Thailand to rediscover themselves or to chase their dreams.
Or to work for their foreign employer as an expatriate, or do we conveniently forget about that
Schrijver refers to Colonel Kurtz. That really is Apocalypse Now.
Yes and that film is again based on the magnificent story (short novel) Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. As a sailor, Conrad went everywhere, and Thailand also features in his stories. Heart of Darkness is available in English at Asia Books – recommended!