Most fictional novels written about Thailand focus on sex tourism, nightlife, go-go bars, backpacker culture, cheap thrills, partying in the islands, Thai mafia, gangsters, underworld crime, scams, hustlers, con artists preying on tourists, drug smuggling, alcoholism, ladyboys, addiction, dangerous expat lifestyles, romance with Thai women, cultural misunderstandings in love, corrupt police, bribery, lawlessness in the Thai system, Muay Thai fights, underground betting, and street brawls. All great for noobs who like that stuff, but too pedestrian and uninteresting for anyone who has spent anytime in country.