Hello, in the West, I have the printed hardcover book "The King Never Smiles" by Handley (2006). I believe book and author are banned from TH (Wiki about this book's ban).

Can I carry "The King Never Smiles" around TH as a tourist? I would hide the book cover with a protective sleeve anyway and might tear out a front page showing the title in big letters; but I can't tear out all the pages.

The book "The King Never Smiles" might be in my hand-held baggage when flying in (even though i could store it in checked luggage). I might want to read the book on the beach. It might lie around in hotel rooms (might forget to hide it before each outing). Mostly I'd be upcountry though.

Safe to bring "The King Never Smiles" to TH or better read elsewhere?

Thanks!

Notes:

- e-book not an option

- not asking about opinion of "The King Never Smiles" or its protagonist, only about practical implications inside Thailand

 

Do not. 

Enjoy your holiday here and leave your book at home,read that on cold winter evenings.

Why take the chance of anything bad happening?

There must be other books you can read on the beach here.

Leave it at home and buy a copy of this in the airport arrivals ...

When the Op is done, I suggest he visits Iran.  I hear 'The Satanic Verses' is a good holiday read.

Yonks ago, I studied for an MA in Thai Culture at Chula.  One of my lecturers, a Mom Luang, suggested that we read this book outside Thailand, and never risk bringing the book into the country....

Read it before you come.  It's a good read.

My hard cover copy is in my man cave somewhere. Must re-read it some time.

I doubt if found at customs the authorities will remembers that is is banned, might even take it for many of those hagiography they sell at Asiabooks,  but if they decided to charge you with importation, it can be quite harsh, if not you could plead innocense that you saw the books on sale at your airport and hasn't read it yet.

 

Andrew's McGregor Marshall's more recent books are probabaly more on the radiar and a household name as big bad enemy of the state still, quite a good companion to TKNS, 

Please note forum rules, when commenting.

 

Rule  4. You will not express disrespect of the King of Thailand or any member of the Thai royal family whether living or deceased. You will not criticize the monarchy as an institution. Speculation, comments or discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing His Majesty The King of Thailand or the Thai royal family. You will not link to or discuss any website which contravenes this rule.To breach this rule is a serious issue that will result in suspension or possible removal from the  forum.

 

 

21 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Leave it at home and buy a copy of this in the airport arrivals ...

This book, as well as the film, is also banned in Thailand.

21 hours ago, ballpoint said:

When the Op is done, I suggest he visits Iran.  I hear 'The Satanic Verses' is a good holiday read.

For memory, this book is also banned in Thailand.

Is this a wind up. why would anybody even consider "carrying this book around with them" in Thailand regardless of the legalities?

Or indeed anywhere else for that matter  It beggars belief !     What would be the point of such behaviour

Out of interest what does common suggest ? assuming the OP has any that is

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Is this a wind up. why would anybody even consider "carrying this book around with them" in Thailand regardless of the legalities?

Or indeed anywhere else for that matter  It beggars belief !     What would be the point of such behaviour

 

Yeah baffles me.

Is tourist carry books really a thing these days ?

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Yeah baffles me.

Is tourist carry books really a thing these days ?

The last tourists I saw reading books here were  pony tailed cheesecloth shirt  wearing types  up in Chiang Mai  but that must have been 20 years ago

Do not bring banned books, printed materials (journal or magazine articles, etc.) or images in paper or electronic formats into Thailand.  For memory, the penalty is prison up to 3 years and/or a fine (I cannot remember the amount).

 

Personally, I have yet to find a reliable comprehensive list of banned books, etc., in Thailand. although I imagine one exists in Thai.  A Google search "books banned in Thailand" will give numerous sites with varying lists.  If you believe a book may be banned, do a Google search (which I did before I moved myself and my professional library to Thailand).

10 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Do not bring banned books, printed materials (journal or magazine articles, etc.) or images in paper or electronic formats into Thailand.  For memory, the penalty is prison up to 3 years and/or a fine (I cannot remember the amount).

 

Personally, I have yet to find a reliable comprehensive list of banned books, etc., in Thailand. although I imagine one exists in Thai.  A Google search "books banned in Thailand" will give numerous sites with varying lists.  If you believe a book may be banned, do a Google search (which I did before I moved myself and my professional library to Thailand).

Common sense tells some of us that anything referring to a certain person, or family is not a good idea to bring to Thailand.

 

I agree that the OP is a wind up. Of all the books on the planet he wants to bring that one?

17 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Read it before you come.  It's a good read.

 

I read the hard cover from my local library. A bit dry from an enjoyment point of view. More for study IMO.

 

A more enjoyable book about historical events in Siamese history was Siamese White by Maurice Collis. The writing style of the auther made it hard to put down and was a fascinating look at Thailand at that time .

 

Foremost among the biographies that Maurice Collis wrote during his wide-ranging literary career is Siamese White – an account of the career of Samuel White of Bath who, during the reign of James II, was appointed by the King of Siam as a mandarin of that country. The book superbly embodies that old adage – truth is stranger than fiction.

‘A magnificent story, full of interest and excitement, but there is more to it than that. Collis, who has lived for years on the scene of these high happenings, is able to give us a first-hand picture of a fascinating land: of a lovely archipelago, of rivers and rapids, of an immemorial track through jungles haunted by tigers and malaria.’ Evening Standard

 

 

 

may as  well read "the emperors new clothes" .............70+ years of a  Nations propoganda drilled in from birth almsot as bad as many western countries new woke policies............even today tried to find a facebook group called "burnt Evs UK"  has been hidden by the facebook police.........pathetic

OP, Go for it

It may improve your accommodation and time in Thailand.  

Hi all, thanks for thorough advice!

 

(If someone knows LESS than the forum gods here, including Nigel darling, my she/he post a question or better stand ashamedly in a corner until struck by wisdom out of thin air?)

 

On 11/2/2024 at 9:39 AM, chickenslegs said:

Leave it at home and buy a copy of this in the airport arrivals ...

 

Haha. Recently i DID read this:

(If ever there is a need to falsify Landing, Habegger's your go-to.)

 

7 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Out of interest what does common suggest ? assuming the OP has any that is

OP has none. Proven by visiting this forum.

 

6 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Yeah baffles me.

Is tourist carry books really a thing these days ?

Not with you i reckon.

Me not smart enough to handle phone, that why me like buq.

 

 

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I agree that the OP is a wind up.

+1

 

6 hours ago, Denim said:

 

A more enjoyable book about historical events in Siamese history was Siamese White by Maurice Collis. The writing style of the auther made it hard to put down and was a fascinating look at Thailand at that time .

 

 

 

 

 

 I read this (Maurice Collis, Siamese White). It's a long-winded pirates' yarn with some British colonialism thrown in. The author promises

 

Quote

an exotic clash, wherein the great fundamentals of human conduct are at issue… a number of sensational events

 

And he keeps the tension up by repeatedly dropping cliffhangers such as

Quote

Before describing what resulted, there are some further points relating to the position of affairs in the East at this date, which I must inflict upon the reader… before following him there, I propose to give some descriptions of…

This yarn is a yawn.

 

But understood - i won't bring the book i originally asked about. Thank for advice.

3 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

Do it and I hope you enjoy prison food

...and take a copy of "Midnight Express" to watch and kill time....

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