The Dead Do Talk

by Porntip Rojanasunan

Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, Thailand’s most famous forensic pathologist, has daily run-ins with police and frequently crosses swords with Thailand’s political heavyweights. She has also had her life threatened. But her relentless efforts to liberate the secrets of the dead and bring justice to the victims of crime and their families have won her popular support. In a country where there are 10,000 unidentified corpses every year and where crime scene investigation barely exists outside of the world of fiction, Dr Porntip has almost single-handedly dragged forensic science and DNA analysis into the limelight. In this book she recounts her growing-up years and the influences that shaped her life, and lays bare the challenges of her pioneering role as she describes some of her most significant cases, including her experiences dealing with the tragic events at Tak Bai in Thailand’s restive south and at the tsunami-hit Phang Nga.

Genres: Medicine, Death, Autobiography, Memoir, Nonfiction

188 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2011

Reviews

[Alice Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing biography. I would prefer she discloses more of her forensic case study.

[Aisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for deep-thoughts and revealing life-changing messages from the book. Alas, what it only revealed that dr. Porntip, a famous figure in the forensic world, is just another human being.

Because it is common for me to look at senior physicians as some kind of a demi God, I had the impression that if I was a student of dr Porntip, I would think that way too.

There are some glimpse about the failure of the justice system in Thailand (which does not surprise me - Indonesia has similar problem). "The Dead Do Talk" actually chronicled dr Porntip's life from birth to present. She mentioned her most famous cases, listed her achievements, and surprisingly, told us a good deal of herself too, outside her professional world.

I laughed out loud when I was reading it in the bookstore.

She actually believes in astrology and here, I am thinking that no way a forensic scientist can believe in other thing than science.

It is not a life-changing book but it certainly feels refreshing to know that even a famous figure, world-weary forensic pathologist with a knack of rockin' a 'cool' hair is just another human being.

Like us.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is hard to write a review about this book without appearing overly critical...but it was awful...AWFUL!

I was a bit hesitant to buy it at first as it was twice the price of most other English print books in the bookstore, unfortunately I didn't go with my gut instinct and proceeded to lose many hours of my life trying really hard to read it.

Struggling through the boring bits (of which there were many) the narcissism (it did get tiring) and trying so hard to like Dr Porntip who is obviously a very intelligent woman but sadly lost credibility with me when she appeared more concerned about hairstyles, celebrity, and makeup rather than her victims, corruption and forensic pathology.

There is a lot of criticism about the justice system and criminal investigations in Thailand.

I bought this book thinking it would prove many of those arguments wrong...but it didn't.

I had little faith before I read it...even less now.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We are often let down by authorities in which we put our trust and often justice is simply not allowed to prevail." "I strongly feel that society should support those who desire to do the right thing and not endorse those who take advantage of others. As for those who who do engage in misconduct, I believe that if the system is good, then potential wrongdoers won't be brave enough to misbehave and won't be rewarded if they have". Wise words from a woman who cares about her Country and fellow citizens.

[Speedstar25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with simple format which made the reader easy to get into the story fast. The story was very well structured and clearly explained how Dr Porntip grew up from young and worked her way up as what she was today. The most interesting part was how she solved cases in the disturbed south.

[Sizbelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is more like her route to being who she is, things she encounter along the way. quite motivating n inspiring that despite the challenging environment she is in she managed to hang on n succeed in her belief. this book also reveal insides of Thailand that I nvr knew.

[Lillie S · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book tells some about Dr Porntip's work experience so far. Just a little, and there aren't a lot of details on the cases. Leaving one unsatisfied 🙄