Monsoon Country
Saturday, February 16, 2008 – 9:11 pmIn the brimming border town of Thailand - Nong Khai, i finally bought my first book of the travel - “Monsoon Country” written by Pira Sudham in English about life in Thailand. The novel revolves around the period when Thailand was poor, suppressed and under martial rule.
Starting to read the book during my long travel to South of Laos from Vientiane and in the sleepy town of Pakse, your eyes are as clouded as the monsoon period with storms swirling to break down at any moment.
The misery of poverty and its close neighbourhood to the opulence of foreigners on tourism in the country wasn’t noted in the book but clearly identifiable in the writings and makes you feel uncomfortable. Somehow you feel guilty for exploiting these countries for your touristic passions. But it wasn’t atleast the reality for Thailand today where its economy is booming and people are not really suffering. But it was still very true for countries like Laos where their currency and way of living are an ocean under the normal standards of the world average.
Now to save my good mood, this book must be rested and stay as just a burden of luggage rather than of emotion. Thank you Pira Sutham, by what ever luck this book was personally signed by the author.
