Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand

Usual fare about the land of smiles with bar girls , ladyboys and Thai scams. Not very original stories but OK I suppose for a holiday read. Just don't let books like this one put you off visiting the country. I have been every year for 20 years and love the place.

This is a collection of stories which covers well trodden ground - the pitfalls and dangers faced by sex tourists to Thailand.The best of such books is still Leather's "Private Dancer", but this one runs it close. The first and longest story, the one from which the book gets its title, is the best and the twist at the end is well hidden.Characterisation throughout is good. The writing is fluid and entertaining, and the author's occasional flashes of biting wit always causes a smile and occasionally even a chuckle.If you liked "Private Dancer" you will love this. The stories are varied in style, content and length.My only reservation is that perhaps there were two or three stories too many, Or maybe that was my fault - maybe I should have left it for a while after reading most of them and then returned to read the rest. Don't let this put you off - I recommend the book as a good read.

Sitting on a plane, I overheard a heated conversation between the couple sitting behind me. The woman was explaining that more money needed to be sent to her family as there was some kind of problem that needed to be fixed. He stated over and over again that he had sent money on many occasions and did not understand why there was a need for more. When the flight landed and we all got up to leave the plane, I was faced by a rather rotund, balding ,gold chain encrusted middle aged man with a rather beautiful Thai partner. Prior to reading Matt Carrell's excellent Thai Lottery I could not have understood what brought this couple together nor what they were arguing about, but having read this eloquent, informative and often amusing set of short stories, it all becomes very clear.

There is a plethora of writing around on the Thai bar scene, and to my mind these books fall into one of two categories.The first type of book revels in the salaciousness of the situation, frequently contains graphic sexual scenes, and reads like it was written to gratify some animal urges of the author rather than for the entertainment of the reader - although I accept there are people around who enjoy this sort of thing, even if it is badly written (which many of these books are). Degradation is a frequent theme.The second type of book takes a more objective, journalistic approach and seeks to understand both the cultural forces at work and the economic and psychological factors involved. Moreover the narrative, rather than lewdness, takes centre stage.The vignettes of 'Thai Lottery' fit firmly within the second category. Carrell paints pictures of damaged, often confused or desperate, people, and gives a taste of the 'real' Pattaya - the misery and delusion behind the mask of smiles.This is a well-written and thoughtful collection of stories, which I am happy to recommend. The more purient reader may want to pass on this, but for those of you who are interested in Thailand, you should grab a copy.

This is a book for (mainly) men interested in the bright lights and hot flesh of a few young women in Thailand. Or is it?Unsurprisingly, the stresses and strains of living in that country are a lot more extreme than life in the west. However, one would question whether the means chosen by the young Thai women are so different from their western counterparts in trying to get what they want. And money speaks a universal language - the only issue is how acceptable is it to use the body so blatantly....is a 'sophisticated seduction' in the west that much different?A book that will help you rethink your stereotypical view of Thailand and wish you could get out there to help the poor damsels in distress....and of course have a bit of fun along the way.Matt Carrell hits the spot. Read it on the way to the Paradise of Pattaya, where dreams come true, even if only for a while....

Having visited Thailand and Pattaya regularly for several years, i take a keen interest in books with a Thailand or Pattaya setting. The majority of such books and stories however tend to be very one dimensional and formulaic. Thai Lottery however is a collection of well written and interesting stories with Pattaya as the setting.The stories would be hugely enjoyable to anyone who has previous experience of Pattaya or a desire to visit for the first time. The stories are humorous, realistic and thoroughly entertaining. As an excellent added bonus there is a glossary of useful Thai words and their meanings which would be extremely useful to visitors.The book is by a considerable distance in my opinion the best i have read with a Pattaya setting.

The author has given the reader an excellent insight into the joys and pitfalls of a visit to Pattaya. The description of the "ID walk of shame" bought back memories of my first visit . This book is first of all entertaining but also gives pointers as to how to act and respond in various situations. If you have never been to Thailand I encourage you to go for I know of nobody who has been and not been amazed and enthralled with this wonderful, contradictory country. Am going to read the authors next novel "Thai Kiss" soon and it has a lot to live up to if it is going to come close to the brilliance of Thai Lottery

I guess this is an essential read for any guys planning a "golf" trip to Thailand. Sensing the stories all contain a thread of real life accounts gathered first hand from "farang" and bar girls, makes for a great read with some surprising twists. Shocking as well, at times. but probably a necessary lesson for many of the boys heading east!