Rotting in the Bangkok Hilton: The Gruesome True Story of a Man Who Survived Thailand's Deadliest Prisons

by T.M. Hoy

Prison is harsh enough, but as a foreigner (“farang”) in a strange land, jail time is an even more horrifying reality. Rotting in the Bangkok Hilton is a collection of short stories chronicling T. M. Hoy’s descent into the harrowing world of Southeast Asian prison life. Through his eyes, readers will experience the bizarre events of daily life in a Thai maximum security prison: feel the weight of the chains he wears, the stomachaches from lack of food, witness the murders, drug overdoses, torture, and unbridled cruelty that ensues.

Sentenced to life in prison, Hoy does his best to accept the fate he’s been given. While attempting to “adjust” to this third-world hellhole, he contracts tuberculosis and nearly loses his life.

Hoy’s stories are brutal and his words are heart-wrenching. Go places you’ve only seen in your nightmares, to a world in which few survive, and none emerge unscathed . . . and if you’re lucky, you’ll die before you really begin to suffer.

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Izzey Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Richie Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite an entertaining book that, despite the fact that it is well written and entertaining, it is not exceptional.

Many of the books in the genre are outstanding and well chronicled.

This book does suffer a little bit from a lack of structure but otherwise is definitely worth a read.

It is philosophical in parts and explains the structure of Thailand’s jail culture very well. Nevertheless it is not gripping or ‘unputdownable.’

Some of these books suffer somewhat by the author looking to place blame anywhere but at their own doorstep or by attempting to make you feel sorry for them despite being involved in heinous crimes & activities. This book does not push that upon you in any way, shape or form which is unusual and refreshing.

Pleasant enough, easy to read but not exactly special.

[Tanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book more of a stack of very short stories of other prisoners histories, when I had been expecting more of a biography of the authors time in prison. Interesting in parts and reasonably easy to read but not what I was expecting. I think it is hard for me to appreciate books of this kind as much after reading the terrifying "The Damage Done".

[The_5ft_reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, eye-opening read!

[Lady Olenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

New fear unlocked. After reading this book, there is no way I am ever stepping foot in Thailand ever. Thailand prison is literally hell on earth, literally. Reading from the comfort of my bed, the prion in the book is so unthinkable! I don’t know how inmates live and survive their hellish situation day by the day for the rest of their lives!

However, however! Despite the cruel treatment and lifestyle of the prison, the author was able to find whispers of humanity in some inmates he’s met in his time served.

Honestly, I can’t imagine how some of the very few prisoners do it. The very few actually accept and just go in living. While the rest either escape with drugs and then end up getting hooked or join in the savagery.

It’s a must read.

[sequoia spirit · Rating 4 out of 5]

for the most part, i enjoyed the book.. i liked the way the author writes.. the way the words flow together in a colourful narrative.. the stories of others, is an interesting way to write.. who are we if not impacted by our experiences, the people we share space with are bound to become part of our journey, our thoughts, our observations.. i mean also, if you are in prison for years, your experiences are limited to that space..

i could see this as a movie and i would watch it..

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reminded me too much of the show, 'Locked Up Abroad' where people who stupidly break laws in other countries complain about and then profit from their crimes.

[Claire Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting set of stories about a man’s time in a hellish prison. I had heard of this prison from another book set there so was aware of its dire condition
The book paints a similar picture and many of the stories were really fascinating and some turned my stomach
The book was lacking detail and narrative. Like why was he initially arrested, how he got sentenced how he felt first arriving there etc
This wasn’t really a narrative style story and once it was implied that it started as short snippets for a paper it made more sense why it was set out this way. Would listen to it again as it was really interesting and a completely different world than I’ve seen
I would have liked more details but over all fascinating read

[Nessa Wesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was alright. Nothing groundbreaking, but not entirely bad either. I expected it to focus more on Hoy’s personal experiences in prison, but instead, it’s more of a collection of stories about people he met in there and how they ended up there. It would’ve been more engaging if Hoy had shared more of his own story, and I was left wondering why he was even in prison, as that didn’t seem to be addressed (or my attention span wasnt the best when he did). So, as you can see, he never talked about himself, which makes the title quite misleading. Overall, an okayish read, but not exactly what I was hoping for.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel harsh writing book reviews on books I haven’t really liked but I guess that’s why you review.

For books on prison life, in my opinion, there are much better books. For me Marching Powder by Rusty Young or Hotel Kerobokan by Kathryn Bonella give a much better account.

Sadly this was a culmination of other people’s narrative that didn’t quite come together as smoothly.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just seems like a bunch stuff put together, does gives you an image of how such a prison and culture works, but at the same doesn't really have a cohesive story (there is a better book about same topic).

[Nuyuryna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He found that by abandoning his desire to live, life become easy"

The story is based on the author's experience been jailed for 5 years in Thailand. Being a foreigner in Thailand's jail was not easy.

The story was well written. All the details have been written beautifully.

[Mike Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting memoir solely focused on this one chapter in hsi life.
Author shares next to nothing about his backstory which makes this quick listen even better.
Accurate, at times politically incorrect and humble.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this absolutely fascinating. So much so I reread it to make sure I hadn't missed anything

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the first book I've read about this prison but it still shocks me to the core reading about people's experiences.

[Eric Schurr · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Extremely well-written, very captivating"

If you'd like to know what life is like inside what is considered to be the worst prison in the world, listen to this book.

The stories in it are truly remarkable. So disgusting and revolting there are sometimes hard to believe.

The author has an exceptional grasp of the English language. The writing is really creative and superb. Sometimes it's so good it's a bit over the top.

I didn't give it a 5 overall because the book is a series of stories, rather than one story. As such, it can feel a bit disjoint at times. For example, you won't find out why the author is in jail until the end of the book. I personally didn't like that

[Esther Bradley-detally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. T.M. Hoy is an excellent writer and there is not a tone of self-pity anywhere, but an actual gripping accounting of life, its madness, insanity, in a Southeast Asian prison. The reader will read heart rending passages, and yet at the end, will, I believe, respect T. M. Hoy, for this amazing story.

[Kotoole1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

What can I say, this book sucked...