Thailand
:
The
Lotus
Kingdom
In
Bangkok saffron-robed
monks
pad
barefoot
though
the
streets
on
their
early
morning
alms
rounds,
while
the
last
of
the
late-night
revelers
make
their
way
home
and
the
traffic
is
already
building
up
under
a
dawn
sky
pierced
by
temple
spires
and
television
aerials.
In
southern
Haad
Yai
a
street
vendor
sets
up
her
pavement
barbecue
to
cook
fresh
snakes
for
office
workers'
breakfasts.
In
Korat,
on
the
edge
of
the
arid
plain
of
the "Weeping
Prairies",
the
bamboo-hatted
farmers
drive
out
their
water
buffalo
to
the
paddy
fields.
In
Mae
Sai,
in
the
heart
of
the
Golden
Triangle,
a
caravan
of
mules,
laden
with
raw
opium,
picks
its
way
along
the
mountain
track
driven
by
hill
tribespeople
adorned
with
heavy
silver
jewellery
and
Kalashnikovs.
Another
day
begins
in
Thailand,
land
of
contradictions.
The
former
Kingdom
of
Siam,
closed
and
mysterious,
has
become
a
dynamic
hybrid
of
East
and
West,
where
old
and
new,
sacred
and
profane
constantly
clash
-
in
spirit
worship
and
supermarkets,
in
ceremonies
and
computers,
in
monasteries
and
massage
parlours.
Alistair Shearer, who has regularly visited Thailand since the mid-1970s, provides a concise introduction for both the visitor on holiday or business and the armchair traveler. Thailand: The Lotus Kingdom covers the history, culture and contemporary predicament of a traditional Buddhist society struggling to preserve its integrity in the face of change.
The author offers a perspective and affectionate testimony not only to the renowned and easy going friendliness of the Thai people, but also to what lies behind the smile
Published in
UK John Murray
Click here to buy this book at amazon.com or here to buy at amazon.co.uk (if you are in the UK).
In
Bangkok saffron-robed
monks
pad
barefoot
though
the
streets
on
their
early
morning
alms
rounds,
while
the
last
of
the
late-night
revelers
make
their
way
home
and
the
traffic
is
already
building
up
under
a
dawn
sky
pierced
by
temple
spires
and
television
aerials.
In
southern
Haad
Yai
a
street
vendor
sets
up
her
pavement
barbecue
to
cook
fresh
snakes
for
office
workers'
breakfasts.
In
Korat,
on
the
edge
of
the
arid
plain
of
the "Weeping
Prairies",
the
bamboo-hatted
farmers
drive
out
their
water
buffalo
to
the
paddy
fields.
In
Mae
Sai,
in
the
heart
of
the
Golden
Triangle,
a
caravan
of
mules,
laden
with
raw
opium,
picks
its
way
along
the
mountain
track
driven
by
hill
tribespeople
adorned
with
heavy
silver
jewellery
and
Kalashnikovs.
Another
day
begins
in
Thailand,
land
of
contradictions.
The
former
Kingdom
of
Siam,
closed
and
mysterious,
has
become
a
dynamic
hybrid
of
East
and
West,
where
old
and
new,
sacred
and
profane
constantly
clash
-
in
spirit
worship
and
supermarkets,
in
ceremonies
and
computers,
in
monasteries
and
massage
parlours. Alistair Shearer, who has regularly visited Thailand since the mid-1970s, provides a concise introduction for both the visitor on holiday or business and the armchair traveler. Thailand: The Lotus Kingdom covers the history, culture and contemporary predicament of a traditional Buddhist society struggling to preserve its integrity in the face of change.
The author offers a perspective and affectionate testimony not only to the renowned and easy going friendliness of the Thai people, but also to what lies behind the smile
Published in
UK John Murray
Click here to buy this book at amazon.com or here to buy at amazon.co.uk (if you are in the UK).
