Matt Carrell's Blog, page 2
December 9, 2013
Would you fall for this scam
This film is only partially set in Thailand, but it deals with the infamous boiler room scams which have received so much coverage in the press recently.
Keith Jones is an Australian who was conned out of about 150,000 US dollars in an investment fraud. He invested the money on the strength of a few phone calls and a cursory check of the internet sites to which he was referred by the caller. It's staggeringly naive for a man who is obviously intelligent and at least moderately successful in his chosen career.
The film shows how he traced the group that had taken his money to an apartment block in Chiang Mai. It's a very impressive effort from a man who, presumably, is not a professional film maker. The film is well put together and he is a very capable narrator of his own script. It's well worth a look, if you have an interest in Thailand or in the ways in which foolish people can be parted from their cash.
The only word of warning... if someone phones saying they have a great investment opportunity, ask the question... if it's so great why are they sharing it with you... a complete stranger?
The film is here Whambamthankyouscam
Keith Jones is an Australian who was conned out of about 150,000 US dollars in an investment fraud. He invested the money on the strength of a few phone calls and a cursory check of the internet sites to which he was referred by the caller. It's staggeringly naive for a man who is obviously intelligent and at least moderately successful in his chosen career.
The film shows how he traced the group that had taken his money to an apartment block in Chiang Mai. It's a very impressive effort from a man who, presumably, is not a professional film maker. The film is well put together and he is a very capable narrator of his own script. It's well worth a look, if you have an interest in Thailand or in the ways in which foolish people can be parted from their cash.
The only word of warning... if someone phones saying they have a great investment opportunity, ask the question... if it's so great why are they sharing it with you... a complete stranger?
The film is here Whambamthankyouscam
September 6, 2013
5 stars for Something Must Be Done
Both my books are set in Thailand and I was keen to see if I could do something a little different. The idea for a short story came to me as I watched yet more news coverage of a human tragedy - peppered with indignant interviewees telling us all that "Something Must Be Done." Cue another ill thought out initiative to close the stable door.
Delighted to see the following review from John Dolan, author of Everyone Burns and Hungry Ghosts,
"Matt Carrell is best known for his writings about Thailand, especially his novel 'Thai Kiss'.
With this short story he dips his pen into the emotional maelstrom of school massacres and US gun laws. Without wishing to stray into spoiler territory, Mr Carrell surveys this hot topic from the perspective of a UK-born schoolboy who finds himself being educated in the United States. The writing is not preachy or didactic - it is a realistic account of family tragedy and of growing up, isolated in a foreign culture.
The author may not have any easy answers to the problem of what exactly 'needs to be done', but he does an excellent job of keeping the spotlight on a problem that is not likely to go away any time soon.
A rewarding quick read"
Something Must Be Done
Delighted to see the following review from John Dolan, author of Everyone Burns and Hungry Ghosts,
"Matt Carrell is best known for his writings about Thailand, especially his novel 'Thai Kiss'.
With this short story he dips his pen into the emotional maelstrom of school massacres and US gun laws. Without wishing to stray into spoiler territory, Mr Carrell surveys this hot topic from the perspective of a UK-born schoolboy who finds himself being educated in the United States. The writing is not preachy or didactic - it is a realistic account of family tragedy and of growing up, isolated in a foreign culture.
The author may not have any easy answers to the problem of what exactly 'needs to be done', but he does an excellent job of keeping the spotlight on a problem that is not likely to go away any time soon.
A rewarding quick read"
Something Must Be Done
August 26, 2013
Rated alongside Private Dancer - that's good enough for me.
Many thanks to Jack Hughes for this Amazon review of my new book, Thai Kiss.
This is a great read from the first page to the last. Pacey, exciting with numerous twists and turns. You really will not want to put it down I would rate this alongside Stephen Leather's Private Dancer - no mean feat.... I do not want spoil your enjoyment, but it may put you off buying a bar in Thailand. You have been warned ! Excellent stuff, more please Matt. Jack Hughes.
Thai Kiss
This is a great read from the first page to the last. Pacey, exciting with numerous twists and turns. You really will not want to put it down I would rate this alongside Stephen Leather's Private Dancer - no mean feat.... I do not want spoil your enjoyment, but it may put you off buying a bar in Thailand. You have been warned ! Excellent stuff, more please Matt. Jack Hughes.
Thai Kiss
August 16, 2013
Free on Amazon this weekend
Made your mind up about gun control?
This short story by Matt Carrell is FREE on Amazon all weekend
America is rocked by another high school shooting. Something must be done and the solution is simple. When evil people have guns, the only way to protect the vulnerable, is to arm the good guys. After all, God made men but Samuel Colt made them equal.
Sam Bailey is only twelve years old when he arrives in the USA from a sleepy village on the east coast of England. He has already experienced at first hand how violence can tear a family apart, but nothing can prepare him for life in the loudest, brashest and most confident country in the world.
When the latest massacre occurs only a hundred miles away, the question everyone is asking is: could this happen at Sam's school?.
"Before you make your mind up about how children should be kept safe at school, read Something Must Be Done, it will make you think again."
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
And in the UK -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Mus...
This short story by Matt Carrell is FREE on Amazon all weekend
America is rocked by another high school shooting. Something must be done and the solution is simple. When evil people have guns, the only way to protect the vulnerable, is to arm the good guys. After all, God made men but Samuel Colt made them equal.
Sam Bailey is only twelve years old when he arrives in the USA from a sleepy village on the east coast of England. He has already experienced at first hand how violence can tear a family apart, but nothing can prepare him for life in the loudest, brashest and most confident country in the world.
When the latest massacre occurs only a hundred miles away, the question everyone is asking is: could this happen at Sam's school?.
"Before you make your mind up about how children should be kept safe at school, read Something Must Be Done, it will make you think again."
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
And in the UK -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Mus...
August 5, 2013
The problem with Good Reads ratings
How I love a 5 star rating for my books. I'm delighted to say that Amazon and GoodReads have both been good for me with mainly 5 star ratings for both Thai Lottery and Thai Kiss, with a few four stars thrown in. The comments have been positive with the occasional piece of constructive criticism.
The books are also on Kobo and B&N where the feedback has been even better, although fewer in number.
Across all these sites I have received only one poor rating - one star from a GoodReads member. I would love to know what the rater disliked so much about my book but that is the issue with GoodReads. On Amazon you cannot rate the book without making a comment and the "Amazon verified purchaser" feature gives some indication of whether the person might have read the book they are rating. GoodReads members can mark a book down and the author will never know why.
Ratings are a great way of helping people decide which books to choose - but here is a plea with which I am sure many other authors will agree. If you don't like a book - tell us why. Other readers will find it helpful too.
The books are also on Kobo and B&N where the feedback has been even better, although fewer in number.
Across all these sites I have received only one poor rating - one star from a GoodReads member. I would love to know what the rater disliked so much about my book but that is the issue with GoodReads. On Amazon you cannot rate the book without making a comment and the "Amazon verified purchaser" feature gives some indication of whether the person might have read the book they are rating. GoodReads members can mark a book down and the author will never know why.
Ratings are a great way of helping people decide which books to choose - but here is a plea with which I am sure many other authors will agree. If you don't like a book - tell us why. Other readers will find it helpful too.
July 26, 2013
Gareth Bale - Real Bag the Welshman
My blog has focused up to now on the way that the media depicts Thailand. It is generally shallow, misinformed and designed to reinforce prejudices rather than inform. I've been struck in recent weeks by the way sports journalists cover the much followed football transfer window. It's just the same.
So here's a quick diversion from my usual subject matter - I thought I'd see if I had what it takes to be a sports writer, with my take on the "imminent" transfer of Tottenham's Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
It's just a gentle dig at the dozens of bloggers who recycle unfounded rumours in the desperate hope you will click on their page:
Real Bag the Welshman by Toby Thomas
Spurs hopes of securing Champions League football next year are in tatters this morning as the inevitable transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid entered its final phase. This blog has kept its readers close to the heart of the action ever since it was clear that the deal could go through any day. Our first report appeared over three years ago.
Last week we exclusively revealed the transfer has been in the making virtually since the day Bale was born. Some would say it is the Spurs superstar’s fate to play for the Spanish club. In late May we delivered an exclusive interview with Mfanwy Morgan, a near neighbor of the Bale family when he was a child. She told us how the young prodigy was frequently seen playing street football wearing a crisp white t-shirt, an obvious tribute to the club whose colours he will now wear at the Bernebeau and an indication of the dream that he has held close to his heart since he was a toddler [Editor’s note – check what colour Spurs play in before this goes out]. Mrs Morgan also revealed that the family once took a summer holiday in the Spanish seaside resort of Marbella, just 600 kilometres down the road from Madrid, a clear sign that the young footballer’s heart has long been set on a move to the club.
Only two days ago we reported on detailed research undertaken on our behalf by a team from Oxford University. Using a NASA super computer and a team of expert linguists they were able to reveal that “Gareth Bale Welshman” is in fact an anagram of “Real Bag the Welshman”. This is a transfer that has clearly been written in the stars.
The evidence for the deal is mounting by the day. Last month, Jonathan Barnett, Bale’s agent was seen buying a bottle of Ambre Solaire Factor 25 sun screen in Boots in Oxford Street then hailing a cab which was seen turning west in the direction of Heathrow airport. It was clear to anyone witnessing these events that Barnett was on his way to the Spanish capital to agree terms with Real’s president.
The final clue fell into place only yesterday when Bale was reportedly seen eating a ham sandwich, which experts suggest could easily have been made from Spanish Serrano ham. This has been interpreted as a slap in the face for Tottenham’s Jewish owners and a coded plea to the Spanish giants to complete this long overdue transfer.
A key figure in this imminent deal is obviously Daniel Levy, the chairman of Tottenham. Levy has built a reputation as a hard negotiator who has previously dug his heels in when clubs have bid for his players. Sources close to Tottenham say that Levy was able to rebuff, at least temporarily, the demands of Dimitar Berbatov and Luka Modric for good reason. Apart from the fact that both players were “bloody foreigners”, Berbatov had a silly haircut and wore an Alice band, whilst Modric is short and “a bit funny looking.” Neither player could connect with Levy’s sentimental soul. Bale is another matter. Despite tying the Welshman to a four year contract only last summer on vastly improved terms, Levy is believed to have been touched by the terrible predicament his young goalscorer is in. Insiders tell us that Levy was close to tears when Bale pointed to Madrid on a map of Spain, turned to his chairman and said, “Oh please Mr Levy. Pretty please.” Levy is now unlikely to deny the childhood dream of the young player. He is also said to have been amazed by Bale’s intellect. He is, say sources close to the Spurs chairman the first British footballer who could accurately pick out a foreign capital on a map.
This blog prides itself on its accuracy and integrity. Last month we correctly reported that Andre Villas Boas was rumoured to be heading for Paris St Germain, only days later we were also quick to identify the speculation that he would be leaving to join Barcelona. We have also been spot on with our revelations that David Villa was rumoured to be coming to Spurs and that Gonzalo Higuain was reported to be about to sign for Arsenal. So when you read here that Gareth Bale is said to be about to join real Madrid you can be absolutely certain that people are saying that’s true. When the transfer does go through as now it surely must, you will read about that here too, within a few days or a week at the most.
Toby Thomas
Toby Thomas is a freelance football correspondent who is really desperate to get paid for writing this sort of crap. He first became interested in writing about sport when he discovered he had a congenital defect which meant he could not throw, catch, run or use a racquet or bat of any sort. Toby lives with his Mum and hopes that soon he will get a girlfriend. For now he divides his time between claiming benefits, copying stuff from other wannabe journalists and just making things up. If you have any comments on his incisive reporting, he hopes they are nice because he has experienced a lot of rejection in his life and just wants to be one of the lads.
Disclaimer:If there is a writer out there called Toby Thomas he has my sincere apologies. This is not directed at any one blogger in particular, it is intended as a swipe at all those wannabe journalists who are responsible for the torrent of sports related garbage that appears daily on the internet.
So here's a quick diversion from my usual subject matter - I thought I'd see if I had what it takes to be a sports writer, with my take on the "imminent" transfer of Tottenham's Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
It's just a gentle dig at the dozens of bloggers who recycle unfounded rumours in the desperate hope you will click on their page:
Real Bag the Welshman by Toby Thomas
Spurs hopes of securing Champions League football next year are in tatters this morning as the inevitable transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid entered its final phase. This blog has kept its readers close to the heart of the action ever since it was clear that the deal could go through any day. Our first report appeared over three years ago.
Last week we exclusively revealed the transfer has been in the making virtually since the day Bale was born. Some would say it is the Spurs superstar’s fate to play for the Spanish club. In late May we delivered an exclusive interview with Mfanwy Morgan, a near neighbor of the Bale family when he was a child. She told us how the young prodigy was frequently seen playing street football wearing a crisp white t-shirt, an obvious tribute to the club whose colours he will now wear at the Bernebeau and an indication of the dream that he has held close to his heart since he was a toddler [Editor’s note – check what colour Spurs play in before this goes out]. Mrs Morgan also revealed that the family once took a summer holiday in the Spanish seaside resort of Marbella, just 600 kilometres down the road from Madrid, a clear sign that the young footballer’s heart has long been set on a move to the club.
Only two days ago we reported on detailed research undertaken on our behalf by a team from Oxford University. Using a NASA super computer and a team of expert linguists they were able to reveal that “Gareth Bale Welshman” is in fact an anagram of “Real Bag the Welshman”. This is a transfer that has clearly been written in the stars.
The evidence for the deal is mounting by the day. Last month, Jonathan Barnett, Bale’s agent was seen buying a bottle of Ambre Solaire Factor 25 sun screen in Boots in Oxford Street then hailing a cab which was seen turning west in the direction of Heathrow airport. It was clear to anyone witnessing these events that Barnett was on his way to the Spanish capital to agree terms with Real’s president.
The final clue fell into place only yesterday when Bale was reportedly seen eating a ham sandwich, which experts suggest could easily have been made from Spanish Serrano ham. This has been interpreted as a slap in the face for Tottenham’s Jewish owners and a coded plea to the Spanish giants to complete this long overdue transfer.
A key figure in this imminent deal is obviously Daniel Levy, the chairman of Tottenham. Levy has built a reputation as a hard negotiator who has previously dug his heels in when clubs have bid for his players. Sources close to Tottenham say that Levy was able to rebuff, at least temporarily, the demands of Dimitar Berbatov and Luka Modric for good reason. Apart from the fact that both players were “bloody foreigners”, Berbatov had a silly haircut and wore an Alice band, whilst Modric is short and “a bit funny looking.” Neither player could connect with Levy’s sentimental soul. Bale is another matter. Despite tying the Welshman to a four year contract only last summer on vastly improved terms, Levy is believed to have been touched by the terrible predicament his young goalscorer is in. Insiders tell us that Levy was close to tears when Bale pointed to Madrid on a map of Spain, turned to his chairman and said, “Oh please Mr Levy. Pretty please.” Levy is now unlikely to deny the childhood dream of the young player. He is also said to have been amazed by Bale’s intellect. He is, say sources close to the Spurs chairman the first British footballer who could accurately pick out a foreign capital on a map.
This blog prides itself on its accuracy and integrity. Last month we correctly reported that Andre Villas Boas was rumoured to be heading for Paris St Germain, only days later we were also quick to identify the speculation that he would be leaving to join Barcelona. We have also been spot on with our revelations that David Villa was rumoured to be coming to Spurs and that Gonzalo Higuain was reported to be about to sign for Arsenal. So when you read here that Gareth Bale is said to be about to join real Madrid you can be absolutely certain that people are saying that’s true. When the transfer does go through as now it surely must, you will read about that here too, within a few days or a week at the most.
Toby Thomas
Toby Thomas is a freelance football correspondent who is really desperate to get paid for writing this sort of crap. He first became interested in writing about sport when he discovered he had a congenital defect which meant he could not throw, catch, run or use a racquet or bat of any sort. Toby lives with his Mum and hopes that soon he will get a girlfriend. For now he divides his time between claiming benefits, copying stuff from other wannabe journalists and just making things up. If you have any comments on his incisive reporting, he hopes they are nice because he has experienced a lot of rejection in his life and just wants to be one of the lads.
Disclaimer:If there is a writer out there called Toby Thomas he has my sincere apologies. This is not directed at any one blogger in particular, it is intended as a swipe at all those wannabe journalists who are responsible for the torrent of sports related garbage that appears daily on the internet.
July 11, 2013
New Giveaway - Thai Kiss by Matt Carrell
Thanks to all the people who entered the Giveaway for my last book, Thai Lottery.
My new book, Thai Kiss, was published as a paperback just a couple of weeks ago. The e-book is already getting a host of 5 star reviews on Amazon and I hope you will take the opportunity to win a copy of the paperback.
Enter here - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
More information on the book is available here - Thai Kiss
My new book, Thai Kiss, was published as a paperback just a couple of weeks ago. The e-book is already getting a host of 5 star reviews on Amazon and I hope you will take the opportunity to win a copy of the paperback.
Enter here - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
More information on the book is available here - Thai Kiss
July 8, 2013
Book Giveaway - Thai Lottery
Many thanks to everyone who entered the Giveaway for five copies of Thai Lottery. The draw closed on July 1 and books have now been dispatched to the winners.
My new book came out in late May as an e-book and is now available as a paperback on Amazon.co.uk.
Thai Kiss
Watch out for the Thai Kiss Giveaway - to be launched next week
Matt
My new book came out in late May as an e-book and is now available as a paperback on Amazon.co.uk.
Thai Kiss
Watch out for the Thai Kiss Giveaway - to be launched next week
Matt
July 7, 2013
Never go to Thailand
This is a promotional video, so there is nothing to spark a rage against lazy journalists. It does, however, depict Thailand and it shows the country with which I am more familiar.
Well worth four and a half minutes out of your day - Watch here
Well worth four and a half minutes out of your day - Watch here
June 29, 2013
Free copies - Thai Lottery
Only one day left of my Giveaway for Thai Lottery.
Enter here: - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand
Enter here: - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand
