Thai Private Eye

by Warren Olson

Thailand's most famous private detective, Warren Olson, is back with more shocking true stories from his investigative case files. From unfortunate tsunami-related cases to the latest antiques and racehorse scams, girls tricked into pornography and boys forced into vice, as well as wayward American and European husbands and vindictive wives, Thai Private Eye covers it all.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

About the author

Warren Olson didn't set out to be an author ; nor for that matter did he envisage he would become one of the most well known and successful Western private investigators to operate in South East Asia. After assisting numerous equine establishments in the region, ( he oversaw the SEA Games equestrian events at the Chiang Mai Sports club ) he spent some time as a marketing manager for Hotels in Koh Samui, Bangkok and eventually on the Thai/Cambodian border at Surin. By now fluent in Thai and Khmer, Olson found his services occasionally required by NGO's and Government agencies. This prompted him to found his private investigation company, THAI PRIVATE EYE ; in the mid 1990s. The success of the business grew steadily, as with his contacts and knowledge of the language and people Olson was able to go places/solve problems that few other Westerners could hope to understand or to ever achieve.
Death Threats, being shot at and forced to spend the odd day or two in Thai jails when he got a little too close to corrupt business's were part and parcel of the job ; but when his daughter Natalie was born in 2002, Olson decided he better make plans for a somewhat safer and more mundane lifestyle. A few years later he repatriated to his native New Zealand, where following an interest in Transnational crime he completed a masters degree in Strategic studies and penned an award winning research paper on cross cultural interviewing.
These days he lectures on that subject, writes the occasional book, still advises on some Thai based investigations, maintains his interest in thoroughbreds and does a lot of voluntary work with junior sports and in particular football.
His pride and joy, daughter Natalie is an National age group rep and an acclaimed student ; fully justifying his option to retire from the often dangerous Investigation business in Thailand and to pick up the pen in rather more sedate New Zealand.

Reviews

[Eric]

The book is good but nowhere near as good as his previous book which he wrote in conjunction with Stephen Leather. Warren Olson pretty much sums up the reason for this in the preface by stating that he isn´t as good a writer as Stephen is. The content was good as were the cases, it just needed that extra little spark to make it more memorable. Good effort though.

[Simon Palmer]

The first book I ever read of Olson and still the best. A must-read, face-paced action-packed tale for anybody venturing into the 'land of smiles.'

[Diana]

There were a few typos that I was willing to overlook, but I didn't really enjoy this book.

[Ardita]

I remember slowly slipped this book from the coffee table of my boss into my hand. Didn't pay attention to the after office-hour informal meeting (who would anyways?) and delved myself into Olson's point blank narrative about the other side of the Big Mango, the city that gets breezy in December-January and boiled to 40 degrees Celcius during April, a chock full of contrasting whatever you call it, whatever you wanna see.

Then the Venice of the East, has everything to offer for any attitude, any age and Olson has coolly described them. An eye opening for me who's been sitting pretty over here for the past year and a half, quite shielded from the rowdy side of Bangkok, the city that will either take you or spit you out.

Olson is a PI, a private investigator. Despite his being Caucasian, which is considered as the Master here, he speaks fluent Thai and also another local language. This book recorded some of his case files. In the beginning, I was skeptical about how true it is. However, having heard more from here and there and asked a bit here and there, vice crime is rampant and love triangle will indeed get you killed.

If you'd like to enhance your Bangkok experience, grab a 113 Thai Baht bus ticket from Ekkamai Eastern Bus station in Bangkok, head for Pattaya, then an American GI pleasure spot --now still a pleasure spot attracting curios visitors with increasing number of Russian tourists (after Cold War ends, interesting! :D )-- sit down in some bar (if you feel like it) or by some pool in some hotel and read the book.

One more thing: Women would have wider-than-men hips, so check that cute chicks you've been eyeing, whether she has hips ;)

[Kerry]

I found these two books very enjoyable. This one wasn't as much fun as the first one but it was still very interesting. Olson's sociological observations of Thailand were very interesting. I would like to know more about his own marriage in light of the many comments he makes about liaisons between farangs and thais. The last case study was fascinating. I will follow this up on his site. Well worth a read.

[Rashad]

Love the setting and Warren's sense of humor. This book was a light, entertaining read that made me laugh on more than one occasion. I'll definitely be looking for more of his novels. Downside: this book isn't for everyone. It is a compilation of short detective stories based on true life events and may come off as boring for those seeking a deep, atmospheric read.

[Петър Стойков]

Предишната книга на автора, за практиката му като частен детектив в Тайланд, бе много интересна и забавна.

Няколко години по-късно, когато той вече е управител на голямата си фирма за частни разследвания и охрана, случките нямат нищо общо с предишните нито като атмосфера, нито като нецензурност. Книгата изглежда като рекламна брошура на фирмата - точно толкова изгладено и скучно е всичко.

[Sean]

While not quite as engaging as Olson's first book on the subject, still worth a read.