Matt Carrell's Blog, page 3
June 27, 2013
How sexy is Pattaya, Thailand?
Local newspaper Pattaya Today asks the question, just how sexy is Pattaya, Thailand's most notorious city? I'm delighted they did, because it gave them a very good reason to review my first book, a series of short stories set in the seaside resort.
Barry Kenyon tells his readers the book is one of the best of its kind and often hilarious. I thought so too, but then I am biased.
http://pattayatoday.net/life-leisure/...
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand
Barry Kenyon tells his readers the book is one of the best of its kind and often hilarious. I thought so too, but then I am biased.
http://pattayatoday.net/life-leisure/...
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand
June 17, 2013
The Power of Words
Please take a look at this YouTube video, it's very short. See if it had the same impact on you as it did on me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=...
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=...
June 13, 2013
Thai sex industry - a truly authentic take
This blog focuses on how Thailand is presented in the media and, in particular, how the country's notorious sex industry is portrayed in so called documentary films. The men involved in the Thai bar scene are invariably depicted as ruthless predators or sad, fat old men who have failed to connect with females in their own countries. Thai women take the role of helpless victims of traffickers or heartless, scheming manipulators eager to separate the hapless "farang" from his hard earned savings. It should come as no surprise that the reality is so much more complicated.
I have written two books set in Thailand's most infamous city, Pattaya. My contention is that the lazy stereotyping so prevalent in the documentaries is wide of the mark, but there is a thread that ties many of the participants on both sides of the sex trade together. They are all trying to find something that is missing in their lives, for many of the girls that is no more than the small amount of cash that it would take to look after their families. For others the stakes are much higher.
My books have consistently received 5 star rankings on Amazon and the key to their success, I am told, is that they are a truly authentic take on the dynamics of the Thai sex industry. If you would like to know more about the darker side of Thailand and how its participants really interact, then I hope you will take a look at these books.
Thai Kiss - is available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
Thai Lottery - is available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com
Both books are available on all the regional Amazon sites and also on Barnes & Noble, Nook and Kobo.
I hope you will check them out and let me know what you think.
Thanks to Lewis on Amazon.com who says of Thai Kiss -
This book has now become my all time favorite novel about Thailand ,it gives a very enjoyable detailed look into the many facets of the underworld of the Pattaya bar scene ,and some of the not so pleasant characters involved in it. The story is a suspenseful, well researched fast paced page turner, from a brilliant writer. The twists and turns in the plot were very well executed, you will be hooked.
I loved this book , it's gripping from start to finish, can't wait for his next one.
I have written two books set in Thailand's most infamous city, Pattaya. My contention is that the lazy stereotyping so prevalent in the documentaries is wide of the mark, but there is a thread that ties many of the participants on both sides of the sex trade together. They are all trying to find something that is missing in their lives, for many of the girls that is no more than the small amount of cash that it would take to look after their families. For others the stakes are much higher.
My books have consistently received 5 star rankings on Amazon and the key to their success, I am told, is that they are a truly authentic take on the dynamics of the Thai sex industry. If you would like to know more about the darker side of Thailand and how its participants really interact, then I hope you will take a look at these books.
Thai Kiss - is available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
Thai Lottery - is available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com
Both books are available on all the regional Amazon sites and also on Barnes & Noble, Nook and Kobo.
I hope you will check them out and let me know what you think.
Thanks to Lewis on Amazon.com who says of Thai Kiss -
This book has now become my all time favorite novel about Thailand ,it gives a very enjoyable detailed look into the many facets of the underworld of the Pattaya bar scene ,and some of the not so pleasant characters involved in it. The story is a suspenseful, well researched fast paced page turner, from a brilliant writer. The twists and turns in the plot were very well executed, you will be hooked.
I loved this book , it's gripping from start to finish, can't wait for his next one.
June 8, 2013
FREE AMAZON DOWNLOAD
Something Must Be Done
FREE all weekend - starting midnight Pacific time - around 9 a.m. UK time.
"If you have made up your mind about gun control and how to keep kids safe in school - read Something Must Be Done, it will make you think again."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Mus...
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
FREE all weekend - starting midnight Pacific time - around 9 a.m. UK time.
"If you have made up your mind about gun control and how to keep kids safe in school - read Something Must Be Done, it will make you think again."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Mus...
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
June 2, 2013
Good Reads Giveaway
5 free copies of Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand.
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand
Enter here - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand is a collection of thirteen works by author Matt Carrell. Sarai wasn't like the other go-go dancers. She knew that a few thousand pounds a year would be enough to take care of her whole family, but Sarai wasn't dancing just to send money home every month. She had discovered that selling tickets for the illegal Thai Lottery was more dangerous than she could ever have imagined, and now she owed a great deal of money. Thai Lottery is the story of the lengths a girl will go to when a debt becomes a matter of life and death, and of the westerners who have bought their own tickets to a more personal lottery. They come to Thailand looking for something that's missing from their lives. Some may be lucky but for a few the result will be utter despair.
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand
Enter here - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Thai Lottery... and Other Stories from Pattaya, Thailand is a collection of thirteen works by author Matt Carrell. Sarai wasn't like the other go-go dancers. She knew that a few thousand pounds a year would be enough to take care of her whole family, but Sarai wasn't dancing just to send money home every month. She had discovered that selling tickets for the illegal Thai Lottery was more dangerous than she could ever have imagined, and now she owed a great deal of money. Thai Lottery is the story of the lengths a girl will go to when a debt becomes a matter of life and death, and of the westerners who have bought their own tickets to a more personal lottery. They come to Thailand looking for something that's missing from their lives. Some may be lucky but for a few the result will be utter despair.
21st Century Sex Slaves
There are countless films dealing with the sex industry in Thailand, this one is unusual on two counts. First it acknowledges that the majority of women involved in the trade are not the victims of trafficking. They could walk away if they chose to do so. Second it looks at the problem of women being brought into Thailand from abroad. In this case a gang from Uzbekistan is pimping its own nationals to Arabs and Indians living in Bangkok (so the film claims).
It's an interesting film and certainly worth forty four minutes of your time, but it is not without its irritations.
The voice over attempts to inject drama into situations which look considerably less dramatic than the narrator is suggesting. Some film, which is claimed to portray a single night's action, is betrayed by a time clock which shows it is spread over around 19 days. Most disturbing is that the police seem to blunder through their investigation, diving in to make arrests without the evidence to make a charge stick.
The case is bust open when police arrest two Thais outside Pattaya. I regret that when I saw that, I started to wonder if the whole thing was a fabrication. As the narrator tried to suggest it was a life and death situation for the forces of law and order, it looked to me like the arrest of a couple of taxi drivers who had stopped for a nap.
So, a genuine fly on the wall documentary or an elaborate promo for a well meaning charity and the Thai authorities anxious to suggest they are combating the sex trade? You decide. Check it out here. Film
It's an interesting film and certainly worth forty four minutes of your time, but it is not without its irritations.
The voice over attempts to inject drama into situations which look considerably less dramatic than the narrator is suggesting. Some film, which is claimed to portray a single night's action, is betrayed by a time clock which shows it is spread over around 19 days. Most disturbing is that the police seem to blunder through their investigation, diving in to make arrests without the evidence to make a charge stick.
The case is bust open when police arrest two Thais outside Pattaya. I regret that when I saw that, I started to wonder if the whole thing was a fabrication. As the narrator tried to suggest it was a life and death situation for the forces of law and order, it looked to me like the arrest of a couple of taxi drivers who had stopped for a nap.
So, a genuine fly on the wall documentary or an elaborate promo for a well meaning charity and the Thai authorities anxious to suggest they are combating the sex trade? You decide. Check it out here. Film
May 31, 2013
FREE DOWNLOAD - One day only Saturday June 1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Mus...
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
A short story:
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."Something Must Be Done
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
A short story:
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."Something Must Be Done
May 29, 2013
Something Must Be Done
A short story:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Mus...
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
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.co.uk/Something-Mus...
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Must-...
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."
Thai Kiss - my new novel
I am overwhelmed by the response to the launch of Thai Kiss - my latest book. All that social networking stuff finally paid off - everyone who got in touch when my first book came out has contacted me to say they have bought the new one.
Check it out on Barnes & Noble or Kobo or go straight to Amazon -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thai-Kiss-ebo...
http://www.amazon.com/Thai-Kiss-ebook...
Check it out on Barnes & Noble or Kobo or go straight to Amazon -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thai-Kiss-ebo...
http://www.amazon.com/Thai-Kiss-ebook...
May 24, 2013
Louis Theroux and the Thai Marriage Bureau
Once again it's not exactly journalism just an opportunity for Louis Theroux to lure the hapless into providing unintended entertainment. Theroux arrives in Bangkok trying to find out why western men seek love in Thailand and why local women seem anxious to help them out. The star of the show is Ronny, the marriage bureau owner whose dress sense and overall demeanour seems to be inspired by the fictional Bertie Wooster. Lake Palmer offers valiant support as the man who is desperate for love but might easily be an axe murderer if it were not for a steady stream of prescription medication.
This is the kind of TV you have to watch through your fingers, I was barely able to believe that either man thought an offer to appear alongside Louis Theroux could end well.
Some genuinely amusing moments but it's impossible to watch this without feeling sympathy for everyone on both sides of this particular form of match making.
Take a look - Thai brides
The film tells you what happens to Ronny's latest conquest - if you want to find out what happens to Lake you need to take a look at this link - Lake's fate
The picture quality may be patchy in places.
This is the kind of TV you have to watch through your fingers, I was barely able to believe that either man thought an offer to appear alongside Louis Theroux could end well.
Some genuinely amusing moments but it's impossible to watch this without feeling sympathy for everyone on both sides of this particular form of match making.
Take a look - Thai brides
The film tells you what happens to Ronny's latest conquest - if you want to find out what happens to Lake you need to take a look at this link - Lake's fate
The picture quality may be patchy in places.
