14 Years a Prisoner: A Memoir of Survival Inside Thailand’s Brutal Prison System

by Léo Maruin

In 14 Years a Prisoner, Léo Maruin delivers a gripping, unflinching memoir of survival inside Thailand’s most notorious prisons.
From the suffocating cells of Pattaya to the feared Bangkok Hilton, he takes you deep into a hidden world of violence, corruption, and humanity at its rawest.

Condemned to over fourteen years in a brutal foreign justice system, Léo survives amid filth, overcrowding, and despair—finding strength in instinct, music, and rare human connection. With searing honesty, dark humor, and chilling detail, he exposes the merciless machinery of a world few would dare to imagine.

A story of loss, resilience, and the true price of freedom.
Gripping. Unforgettable. True.
****Pictures inside*****

528 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2025

Reviews

[Nancy Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favourites in a while! Leo’s strength and perseverance are what got him through this. I’m truly sorry he and his friends went through this. But their determination got them through it.
Great read id recommend this to everyone. Bravo Leo!👏🏻

[Jaime Wazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a raw, emotional, and deeply personal read. Leo shares an incredible true story that pulls you right into the heart of what life inside prisons around the world can really look like. It’s not sugar-coated or distant — it’s brutally honest, confronting, and eye-opening.

What struck me most was the resilience and determination at the core of this journey. The ability to acknowledge one’s past, face unimaginable conditions, and still find a way to live each day with purpose is both humbling and inspiring. It’s a story that lingers, challenging you to reflect on justice, humanity, and survival.

A remarkable, unforgettable account — gritty, honest, and absolutely worth the read.

[Thelma Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

😢😢😢😢

WoW what a story. So very sad....... but how strong were these men, to be able to survive something like they endured. Made me cry, then smile then cry hypotheses at the end. A must read for everybody, especially for youngsters that think the grass is greener somewhere else.....it isnt.

[Lisa Zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Fantastic read couldn’t put it down. I think every young guy or girl should read this book before travelling overseas,

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping reminder of how even the smallest of silly ideas can get you in so much trouble. A quick read detailing the journey of 3 friends who ended up trying to fight the Thai legal system. Gritty detail takes you through their emotional journey of survival and friendship. Worth a read!

[Lisa J Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really well written. I was engrossed in it from the beginning. People do make mistakes and sadly Leo and his friends paid the ultimate price. Prison in Thailand especially in Pattaya was so degrading for them. Having to use the bathroom the way they did strips you of your dignity. I was so happy when Leo and Marco were reunited. Leo is an amazing young man. He learned from his mistakes, accepted his punishment and came out the other side a much better man. I think he would do amazing as a motivational speaker especially for young people. I hope he has an amazing happy and long life with his family. I also really hopes he writes another book about his life after prison.

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

14 Years a Prisoner is an eye-opening memoir that takes readers deep into the harsh realities of Thailand’s prison system. Léo Maruin’s story is raw and brutally honest, yet it’s also full of surprising moments of resilience and humanity. What stood out most to me was how he found strength in unexpected places—through music, through instinct, and through rare friendships that reminded him he was still human despite the system’s attempt to break him. I enjoyed reading it because it didn’t sugarcoat anything, and it left me reflecting on how much strength people can summon when survival is the only option.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow—this book hit me like a punch to the gut and then made me cheer at the same time. 14 Years a Prisoner isn’t some fluffy story—it’s raw, real, and straight-up intense. I felt like I was crammed right into those cells, smelling the sweat and fear, but also rooting for Léo every single step. What I loved most? He doesn’t just survive—he shows how grit, humor, and even music can keep a soul alive in the darkest places. Trust me, you won’t forget this ride anytime soon. 🔒🔥

[Kasondra Chapman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok

I’ve read a lot of prison stories and this one fell very flat for me. I was ready for it to be over half way through. No big climax or engaging story, it felt very repetitive. It seemed as though ideas were noted down and then in the next paragraph those rough ideas were edited into full form, it made for a confusing and aggravating read. I praise him for his story and sharing it with us. I applaud his journey and thank him for sharing it with us.

[amelia jayne 🧚🏼‍♀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t give this five stars despite how moving and remarkable the story was, as it deeply irritated me how many times throughout the book that a section would be repeated but worded completely differently? needs better proofreading!