Matt Owens Rees

Are you sometimes surprised when visiting a foreign country? Do you like discovering a side of people’s lifestyles that tourists rarely see? Are you fascinated by different cultures and want to learn more about them?

Matt Owens Rees has written many non-fiction books on Thais and Thailand which have helped both visitors and those foreigners who have made their new homes in the country. If you are interested in this fascinating but sometimes misunderstood nation then his wide range of books are a must read.

Having retired to Thailand over 14 years ago, his passion is writing on Thai lifestyle and culture. He has successfully published several books on this intriguing but complex country and its people. His aim is to help readers understand Thailand by providing accurate information in an easily readable form.

Matt Owens Rees is active on the lecturing circuit and has an established focus group, drawn from all levels of Thai society, with whom he meets regularly. Listening to these audiences and groups and debating with them ensures his writing is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant.

The Books

Thailand Take Two describes, over 10 chapters, the main characteristics and differences between Thais and Westerners. It covers, fully and truthfully, the principal cultural and lifestyle concepts which are not always that transparent to the casual observer in Thailand.It discusses the wide differences in Class in Thailand, the importance of gaining and not losing Face, the numerous types of Thai smile, and the strong sense of family and community that all Thais possess.

A Thailand Diary is a lighter read with an entry for every day of the year. Take a virtual look inside the everyday lives and experiences of the Thai people. Read how they and foreigners interact in this amazing country.Matt Owens Rees “tells it as it is” and does not repress controversial issues. Although he has changed the names of those he has met, you will feel you are actually present in some of the exchanges and scenarios in which Thais are engaged.

Despite not being similar in style, these two books reflect on some of the observations in Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind. ln his opinion, the best introductory book on Thais and Thailand.Written by Carol Hollinger in 1965, its insights are still very revealing and relevant. Sadly, Hollinger passed away at 45 years old before she could see her best-selling book in print.Matt has dedicated Thailand Take Two and A Thailand Diary to her and hopes that, in many ways, it will continue with her legacy.

Escape to Thailand is an account of an expat’s move to this country and his early days here. Much of the book is in Derek’s own words and style. He does not hold back in talking about his successes and failures. He talks of his happiness and his frustrations, and his interactions with Thais and fellow expats.

The Death of a Thai Godfather is Matt’s first novel. Sometimes an author has to be careful of what he writes, however much he tries to be frank with his readers and followers.Nowhere is this truer than in Thailand with its harsh laws of lèse majesté, libel, and slander. In the West, claiming that the libel was true would be a valid defense in court. As you will see, that is not so in Thailand where it is illegal to damage anyone’s character or reputation.Matt has said that the idea of writing a novel describing some aspects of Thai culture and Lifestyle is a way around those difficulties while still giving readers a rich picture of the real Thailand.Obviously, he has changed names and camouflaged the location of events to avoid any problem. It is a common practice. In Mario Puzo’s work, for example, most readers guessed that Johnny Fontane was based on Frank Sinatra!

Meekness in Thai Culture evolved from a request to write a short piece, in layman’s language, on a thesis by a Thai academic on the cultural reasons why the early Christian missionaries failed in Thailand. It’s a short summary but shows close links to many aspects of Thainess that are covered in Matt’s other books.

Mafia is a true account of a very rich and powerful Welsh business family that was involved in some shady dealings in Newfoundland which started in the mid-twentieth century.The release of archive material by the UK government threw more light on the involvement of certain government ministers in both the UK and Canada. Matt explains the reasons why the matter was hushed up.As a teenager, Matt Owens Rees knew the family well – his best friend was the grandson of the “godfather” - and the book is written from the knowledge and observations gained at the time.It also provided an opportunity to compare events with those in the novel, “The Death of a Thai Godfather”.