I’ve never been much for reading books, so when my American friend urged me to read Culture Shock Thailand I pushed back.  He insisted it was required reading for anyone planning to live in Thailand, but I had no interest.  It must have been a couple of months of his nagging at me before my friend finally put his foot down and took action.

One day we were in a shopping mall, and my friend said he wanted to pop into the book store for something.  He walked over, picked up this book, handed it to me and said, “It sells for 600 baht, pay the lady.”  I’ve lost count of the times this good friend has given me advice I would not take, only to discover he was absolutely correct…add this one to the list.

While some would argue the book is a bit out of date, and I would be hard pressed to disagree, it’s still the best thing in print for giving someone a foundational understanding of Thai culture.  Thai culture is far too complex to fully explain in a book this size, but it will most definitely enlighten, and keep you out of trouble.

If I were to fault this book in any way it would be to say it is too accurate.  In North America, Emily Post is the final word on proper etiquette and manners, but how many actually practice what she preached?  The same holds true for Culture Shock Thailand.  Some things you take from the book may get some giggles from the Thai boys, but they won’t think worse of you for it.  If you think about it, the only way to write an authoritative book, on any culture, is to take the high road, and that is exactly what the authors did.

If my recommendation isn’t enough, Google “culture shock thailand” and you will discover several web sites with consumer reviews.  Most give the book 5 stars.

DISCLAIMER

Some of the things I say in my posts may have been taken, all or in part, from this book.  What I have learned comes from a compilation of many sources and experiences.  Culture Shock Thailand was one.