Eclectic crime fiction & informed, irreverent non-fiction from Asia & beyond
My latest story examines an illustrated book that traces the history of political street art and graffiti in Thailand. “In 2013, a friend took me down the railway tracks behind Klong Prem prison. I saw this forest of cement columns covered in artwork and I was instantly attracted,” says photographer Rupert Mann, author of “Bangkok […]
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DPA correspondent Carola Frentzen interviewed Ajarn Neng On Nut and myself for her feature on Sak Yant, Thailand’s spirit tattoos, out in Der Tagesspiegel. Read the full story here. Buy the first English language book on sak yant, beautifully photographed by Aroon Thaewchatturat, the best-selling Sacred Skin here. Check out the new Sacred Skin website.
Continue ReadingI recently interviewed Bhanu Inkawat, a Bangkok entrepreneur who founded Greyhound, a fashion and restaurant chain that revolutionized advertising and branding in Thailand and then conquered the world. “I grew up in Bangkok, around Petchaburi and Sukhumvit Road. My father owned a petrol station. My mother is from Chinatown. She studied literature at Chulalongkorn University, […]
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My latest story in Nikkei Asia is a close look at Very Bangkok, Philip Cornwel-Smith‘s seminal ode to Thailand’s capital. In 2019, Bangkok was the most-visited city in the world, known for its temples, canals, palaces, local communities, street food, shopping, nightlife and freewheeling, relaxed ambience. That ambience has been somewhat tarnished in recent years, […]
Continue ReadingBangkokian Tachamapan Chanchamrassang ran away to London in her 20s to become a visual artist. The UK capital became the training ground for the now 40-year old artist and laid the foundation for a triumphant return to her home town where she is now an in-demand designer of eclectic home furnishings, known as Pomme Chan. […]
Continue ReadingNarisa Chakrabongse, hotelier, publisher, environmental activist has long been at the heart of Bangkok’s cultural life. Born in the UK, the 64 year old granddaughter of Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, a son of King Rama V, recently founded the Bangkok Edge Festival and shows no signs of slowing down. “I’m a quarter Thai, a quarter Russian, […]
Continue ReadingI recently interviewed rock star, actor and hotelier Krissada Sukosol Clapp for Roadbook. Krissada Sukosol Clapp opened The Siam, Bangkok’s most elegant and priciest hotel, in 2013. The then 43-year old was no stranger to making a strong expression, having already made a name as rock star and movie actor. “I was born and grew […]
Continue ReadingA business graduate from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkokian Somrak Sila did a Master’s in art administration and cultural policy at Goldsmith’s College in London before returning to Bangkok to set up WTF (Wonderful Thai Friendship, though another name is just as popular) Bar in Thong Lo, one of the Thai capital’s most unusual art galleries and […]
Continue ReadingJD Strange aka Bangkok based writer and film producer James Newman interviewed me on Bangkok crime fiction for Strange TV. This is a segment from a longer documentary on Bangkok fiction, currently in production. Thanks, James! Watch the interview here. All my crime fiction titles are currently published by Crime Wave Press.
Continue ReadingGreat to finally get my hands on a copy of Nick Wilgus‘ first Father Ananda Mystery in Thai. Thailand’s CJ Books have published Mindfulness & Murder, both in ebook and paperback format. Mindfulness & Murder is out in English with Crime Wave Press, along with three further Father Ananda Mysteries. When a homeless boy living […]
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