Bangkok Babylon: The Real-Life Exploits Of Bangkok's Legendary Expatriates Are Often Stranger Than Words

by Jerry Hopkins

In the colorful tradition of Hemingway's A Movable Feast , Jerry Hopkins recalls his first decade as a Bangkok expatriate by profiling 25 of the city's most unforgettable characters. Among them are the man thought to be the model for Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, an advertising executive who photographs Thai bargirls for Playboy, an Oscar-winning screenwriter who moved there to die, a Catholic priest who has lived and worked in the Bangkok slums for 35 years, a circus dwarf turned computer programmer turned restaurateur, three Vietnam war helicopter pilots who opened a go-go bar, a pianist at one of the world's best hotels who ended up on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list, a detective who tracks runaways who fake their deaths and a documentary filmmaker who lives with elephants. All of them "escaped" to Thailand to reinvent themselves and live out their fantasies in one of the world's most notorious cities.

Genres: Travel, Biography, Asia, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2006

About the author

Jerry Hopkins was an American journalist and author best known for writing the first biographies of Elvis Presley and Jim Morrison of The Doors, as well as serving for 20 years as a correspondent and contributing editor of Rolling Stone magazine.

Reviews

[J.D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short bio's on the authors fellow expat' mates, mostly North Americans, some interesting, some not so. The scribe included a self-depreciating chapter on himself which was a little sad. It mostly had that redemption tale of washed-out Boomers running from failed marriages and...well failed marriages, to the exotic east and finding succour in the comely arms of a lithe Thai' one third their age. Should have gone with Stu Lloyds 'Hardship Postings V', snappier, shorter and much funnier vignettes instead.

[James Flynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t that impressed with this book. It reads like a collection of profiles that the author has written about his personal friends. Some of them are interesting, some of them are not.
And you don’t feel as though you’re in Bangkok while you’re reading it.

[Sarah B · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I had picked this book up a few weeks ago and decided to read it today. My reading experience was not too good with this one. For one when I first started it I had gotten so tired I had actually fallen asleep! So yes, I had found this book incredible dull and boring. Although I am trying to read nonfiction but this one just isn't for me.

Another thing is although the book covers a huge variety of "famous people" I had no idea who ANY of these people were. They range from CIA spies to people who decide to run bars or restaurants in Thailand, to authors from Hollywood (screen writers, etc), etc. One was famous for getting caught with videos of young children in porn. Each little chapter told a story of the person's life. The thing all of these people had in common in at some point in their life these people had come to Thailand, to Bangkok.

And even after reading this I really feel that I don't know much about Thailand or Bangkok, which is odd. I did learn its very hard to arrest foreigners for child porn there. And that bar workers learn much faster in Vietnam than they do in Thailand - but the author doesn't really explain why. He does say that the Thai are mire "group" orientated and stick together.

There were a few stories in here that I did enjoy but they were rare. The one about the priest who had to report bad ammonia smells coming out of a nearby building, the man who woke up to find a cow in his yard and people he knew sent it to a village where it could live out its life in peace instead of going to a slaughterhouse, the man - Richard Lair - and the story of Motola the elephant who had badly damaged her foot. There was also a man who was giving boat tours.

The book also mentions in one little segment that the person had to return to the US every three months to get a new visa for living abroad. But do they ALL have to do that?? The author is not clear on that at all.. For someone who has never traveled these things are not clear at all.

I should add that these biographies are not entirely set in Thailand. Many segments take place in other countries. And then for whatever reason the person ended up for awhile in Bangkok where they met the author who wrote this.

But this was very dull and it had actually put me to sleep! None of these people in my opinion have done anything all that exciting or anything. I mean I am not interested in spies or people who run restaurants / bars, etc. I had thought the book would give me an idea of what Bangkok is like but it doesn't even explain the climate / weather! How can you write a book about a place and not mention that? Nor does the author tell about his own time living there. He basically just says he met X person in the bar. He mentions slums in the chapter with the priest. He mentions that there a different types of police and they do drug tests on all the people in the girl-free bar, looking for drugs in blood. They apparently cannot understand why people go to a bar without girls ( working girls) .. But there is so much he left out about the city. There is no sense of place.

Also is everyone who leaves the US to live elsewhere considered an "ex- patriot"??? He doesn't say. Which is very odd since that is what this book is supposed to be about.

But this book mentions "working girls" in bars countless times and how some end up marrying foreigners and others die of AIDS.

[Mr Ogologo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bangkok Babylon is a colorful account of twenty-five expatriates living in Bangkok whom author Jerry Hopkins found to be among the most fascinating people he’d ever encountered. Each chapter profiles a different character, all drawn to Bangkok for its unpredictability, permissiveness, and the quiet acceptance of its people.

One line that especially stood out to me was on page 48, when the author spoke to Villy about “the inertia of the poor” — the idea that the very poorest had long since lost the will or belief in improving their lives, choosing instead to accept whatever came their way. It’s a profound observation, one that could easily be mistaken for laziness from the outside looking in, but carries more complexity and tragedy upon closer reflection.

Hopkins' book explores Bangkok as a kind of magnet for outsiders, rebels, and eccentrics. Many of the people he writes about are not just expatriates — they’re individuals seeking a different kind of life. Bangkok, with its non-judgmental atmosphere and chaotic charm, seems to welcome those who don’t quite fit anywhere else.

Page 116 presents a fascinating cultural comparison by “Mr. Cool” (David Jacobson), a former bar owner in Saigon. He reflects on the essential difference between the Vietnamese and the Thai people: “The Viets don’t trust anyone, not even their parents,” he says, whereas “The Thais come together like family.” It’s a simple yet striking contrast that captures a deeper truth about communal dynamics in Southeast Asia.

Another highlight comes from Bill Warren, who recalls the moment that forever enchanted him with Bangkok. He read a story about a tramcar hitting a pedicab, which then rammed into a taxi, causing it to fall into a canal — on top of a boat selling charcoal. (Page 122) That string of bizarre, almost cinematic events perfectly encapsulated the “messy, carefree way” of life in Bangkok. For him, that absurd randomness was not off-putting — it was magnetic.

I also appreciated Hopkins’ own reflection, which came to him while eating catfish in Saigon. He realized that both he and the catfish were *bottom-feeders* — and that Bangkok is a bottom-feeder’s paradise. He was overcome with ennui, and it was Thailand’s unpredictability that offered him the chance to be surprised again.

Overall, I really enjoyed *Bangkok Babylon*. Hopkins’ writing style is vivid and metaphor-rich, and he has a gift for breathing life into each person’s story. His voice is both observant and humorous, which makes the book engaging without being overly judgmental. I’ve already decided to read his follow-up book, Thailand: Destination, where he reflects more personally on life in Thailand — particularly Bangkok — through his own lens.

[David Corvine · Rating 2 out of 5]

A series of profiles of various expats in Thailand. Some fairly interesting but a lot of detail about their career paths and health. Even less interesting, details about the educational attainments etc. of the children of these persons. Sort of twaddle doting grandparents might inflict upon total strangers on public transport.

[Laurel Perkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to want to visit Thailand. Not so much any more. These short stories describing people the author has met living in Thailand scared me more than anything. The writing did not make it any better.

[Clint Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed "meeting" a most interesting group of people

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and short

[Mr. Classical · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice paper TV! 👍

[Matt Fair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting variety of short stories of real people.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of stories that the author has picked out from individuals he has met and befriended during his time in Bangkok. The stories are interesting to read because most of the people he writes about are from America who have come to Thailand or Bangkok to get away from all the values and upbringings of the USA for a lifestyle of more seclusion and ease. The night life consists of drinking in bars and leaving with a either a new or same prostitute. The prostitution industry is big there and drives most of the businesses, as is interesting to learn about. Most bar owners also have a Mama who is hired to manage the girls and part of the bar itself.

The cover is a good depiction of life there because its all about drinking and women. The women are beautiful and plentiful. For the most who end up there, many are trying to get away and hide from a past life and some are just looking for adventure. If you want to read about interesting and exciting lives, then this is the book to pick up. Enjoy!

[Sara Patrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of good in Jerry Hopkins' Bangkok Babylon. He sheds some (dim, bar-lit) light onto the shenanigans of some of Bangkok's more notorious expats. Some of those stories are kind, sweet stories that have or almost have happy endings. Some of the stories are darker, less optimistic, and part of what you might imagine lurks in the shadows of a Bangkok alley. Both kinds of stories show pieces of expat life in Bangkok.

What's more interesting to note, however, is that Bangkok Babylon profiles a particular kind of expat story--male, of a certain age, of similar national background, and having certain proclivities (or lack thereof). As far as this particular perspective goes, I imagine it's as good as any but to think that this book give a broad perspective on expat life in Bangkok is to be barking up the wrong klong. If you're looking for a picture of a particular kind of Thailand expat, mostly living in Bangkok in the '70s, '80s, and '90s, this might be a good place to start.

[Karl Arney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed a lot of this - it's a bit front-loaded, but that made for all kinds of memorable and wild stuff in my early time with it. There are some truly ridiculous tales recounted here, and some memorable characters to be sure (he leads off with a serious whopper, and then there's the slum priest, who becomes a recurring force of good throughout, the guy who swam the river to free his girlfriend, etc)

That said, it all starts to run thin and feel a bit same-y by the home stretch - the stories (generally) become less remarkable, and I got tired of reading so many stories about old white dudes with young local girlfriends. I generally would have liked a tad more diversity in the range of people covered, age very much included. I get that Hopkins was writing about people he knew or moved in similar circles too, but it just added to the mounting disinterest I had as it went on.

[Paul Glanting · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book has some occasionally interesting insights into travel and "escape", my primary gripe with this book is that it's sold as some kind of risqué, wild-&-crazy examination of expatriates in Bangkok. Therefore, I was expecting explorations of depravity and subsequent reflections on why Thailand provided an outlet. However, this memoir is essentially one romanticized hippie narrative after another. I'd argue many people who decided to read this book were hoping for tales of vice, not just, what felt like, hyperbolic tales of altruism and entrepreneurial acumen. Further, this book could benefit from alternative perspectives(e.g. a female expatriate, a Thai native who befriends expatriates, etc.). Finally, the syntax felt a bit sloppy. The way the book was written doesn't feel cohesive nor does it flow.

[William Graney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn’t give the in depth look at life in Thailand for the expat that I was hoping for. Instead it was more of a brief biography on numerous individuals who happened to settle in Thailand. The fact that they were in Thailand seemed to play a very small role in the telling of the stories.
Some of the people who were profiled were interesting to read about, others weren’t. The reasons for “why Thailand” were only briefly touched upon and to me that would have been among the most interesting aspects of a book like this. In summary, my opinion is that the book doesn’t have much to offer in either the Thai-vibe department or on why these people were drawn there.

[Alexi Lawless · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was... let's just say I can absolutely see it as a gritty set of vignettes directed by Guy Ritchie. Thailand in and of itself is an insane ride. Anyone who's spent any meaningful time in Bangkok knows what an acid trip that place can be. But the antics in this short, snappy read were hilarious, disturbing and probably totally real. I think it'll be a tough read for someone unfamiliar with Southeast Asia. It requires a certain field knowledge to really "get", but it's a definite recommend.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a relatively fun, brainless, and kind of skeevy read. The author does a nice job of portraying a whacked out range of characters: namely expats who hang out with the bar girls in Bangkok. These are all interesting characters, especially the possible real-life Colonel Kurtz. The book is a little creepy too, since the author is clearly one of those kinds of expats as well who settled in Thailand and married one of those bar girls.

[Juha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having heard about this book, I got it when I saw it on the street near my home for $1. Hopkins is a former Rolling Stone reporter who's lived in Thailand for years. This is a collection of biographical sketches on people he's met there, many in bars. Most are foreigners and Americans. Some stories are amusing, even interesting, some lives amazing. On the whole, they didn't really interest me enough. Hopkins' writing is fine, but surprisingly bland for a journalist from such a background.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not exactly high lit here, writing's passable, but it does reveal interesting people who end up in Bangkok. All men who were drifters and came to Thailand when it was "on the cusp" and have made a life for themselves here, usually with a Thai girlfriend in tow.

[Boozy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on the way home from Thailand. Interesting read. Although the stories of the expats were sometimes funny, most ended on a down note with them dying of liver failure, alone and without anything.

[Stefano · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of some of the most (in)famous Bangkok's expats. Very readable even if some of the characters are not so special and probably didn't deserve a place in this collection. A good introduction to the expat community in Thailand.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and entertaining collection of tales and characters, mostly expats in Thailand.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting...author is kind of a blowhard though...too cool for school

[Christine Fears · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second half of the book made me want to sell everything I own and leave on a lifelong adventure around the world!! Maybe soon :)

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

A collection of stories about why some expatriates choose to live in Bangkok, it makes for an interesting read.

[Randolph Breschini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and quick read...Several short stories about Bangkok expatriates!

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

772 - 2015

Not as interesting as Strange Foods aka Extreme Cuisine.