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Another Bangkok: Reflections on the City
The essential book for anyone visiting Bangkok - a wonderful mixture of history and culture - from the author of Lost Japan
One of Asia's most extraordinary cities, Bangkok is also one of the most baffling. It is filled with remarkable people and glittering golden palaces and temples, but is also a maze of concrete and twisting overhead utility wires. Alex Kerr has spent over thirty years of his life living in Bangkok and is uniquely qualified to write about it. As with his bestselling books on Japan (Lost Japan and Another Kyoto), he revels in the secret, tucked-away corners, the great contemporary artists and the sheer wonder of so many aspects of Thai dance and design. While deploring the loss of much of old Bangkok, he is never merely nostalgic for a past but finds inspiration in Thailand's dynamic modern fusions.
Another Bangkok will delight both those who think they know the city well and those visiting for the first time. Kerr is a uniquely wry and eloquent guide to everything from ceramics to puppetry, from flower patterns to old houses.
One of Asia's most extraordinary cities, Bangkok is also one of the most baffling. It is filled with remarkable people and glittering golden palaces and temples, but is also a maze of concrete and twisting overhead utility wires. Alex Kerr has spent over thirty years of his life living in Bangkok and is uniquely qualified to write about it. As with his bestselling books on Japan (Lost Japan and Another Kyoto), he revels in the secret, tucked-away corners, the great contemporary artists and the sheer wonder of so many aspects of Thai dance and design. While deploring the loss of much of old Bangkok, he is never merely nostalgic for a past but finds inspiration in Thailand's dynamic modern fusions.
Another Bangkok will delight both those who think they know the city well and those visiting for the first time. Kerr is a uniquely wry and eloquent guide to everything from ceramics to puppetry, from flower patterns to old houses.
336 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2022
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353 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 25, 2021
I’m quite a fan of Kerr’s writing and have numerous books he’s written about Japan. Having spent 11 years in Vietnam, with numerous trips made to Thailand (starting in 1994), I was keen for his book to help me delve deeper than I was able to manage on my own during the generally short periods of time I spent in "The Land of Smiles." I was also hoping that the focus on Thai culture would help dispel some of the bad taste my travels there had left in me (an airport taxi driver kidnapping me in Krabi and, later with his boss, demanding I pay my own ransom; walking on a sidewalk in Chiang Mai at the moment an overhead sewage pipe burst and rained down on me, causing, a few hours later, a 24-hour, 40C fever that left me hallucinating and requiring a hospital visit; a national airline admitting in person and later on paper that they’d broken my laptop due to their having flung it through the air from the check-in counter to the luggage belt, but refusing to reimburse me any amount whatsoever to replace it; etc.).
I still like Thailand, but bad experiences there have outnumbered the good ones. Or at least they’ve stayed with me. Learning more about Thai culture, when it’s interesting and enriching, I thought might set me on a new path. And the book managed to do this for me. I enjoyed learning the mix of influences on a wide range of things I encountered there: architecture, fashion, cooking, language, dance, puppetry, and so forth. And though the section was short, I enjoyed learning about the distinctive flower arrangements and the uses they’re put to in Thailand. Also, it’s interesting to see a different side of Kerr-the-writer emerge here after having become familiar with the side that’s so deeply knowledgeable about Japan. Overall, it was an eye-opening book in many ways and I really enjoyed the feeling Kerr gave in his writing of including the reader in his wide-ranging discussions.
I still like Thailand, but bad experiences there have outnumbered the good ones. Or at least they’ve stayed with me. Learning more about Thai culture, when it’s interesting and enriching, I thought might set me on a new path. And the book managed to do this for me. I enjoyed learning the mix of influences on a wide range of things I encountered there: architecture, fashion, cooking, language, dance, puppetry, and so forth. And though the section was short, I enjoyed learning about the distinctive flower arrangements and the uses they’re put to in Thailand. Also, it’s interesting to see a different side of Kerr-the-writer emerge here after having become familiar with the side that’s so deeply knowledgeable about Japan. Overall, it was an eye-opening book in many ways and I really enjoyed the feeling Kerr gave in his writing of including the reader in his wide-ranging discussions.
December 26, 2021
I am a bit of an Asiaphile and having spent five years living as a Bangkokian, Alex Kerr's Another Bangkok really appealed to me. Kerr, well known for writing about Japan, switches his attention to Thailand when he moves from the former to the latter in the 1990s. What follows is an interesting and different take on the Thai capital seen through art and culture.
A lot of Westerners think of Bangkok as an overpolulated, traffic choked den of iniquity. That is certainly my take on it in my latest novel Bangkok Burning, though that is obviously only one way of looking at a place that, though on the surface is often brutal and ugly, is probably one of the most charming on the planet. The difference is my book was fiction, Kerr's is autiobiographical and I think though he channels the city through its cultural heritage, he gets to the nub.
He peels aways the layers in a city that beguiles and finds that what makes him call it home is that the Thais are so welcoming, on the surface at least. Who isn't disarmed by a smile? Though, as Kerr says, that smile can mean myriad things, not all of them charitable but it does smooth one's journey. That along with the ingrained concept of "sanuk" (fun) allied to the fatalistic "mai pen rai" (never mind) attitude, he identifies why so many of us set up home in a place that at first appears totally alien.
It took me years to try and penetrate the surface, however, and Kerr seems to struggle similarly when he concludes that he is still a "tourist". While he does at times cheerlead by calling Bangkok the "sexiest" place on Earth and other such foregivable hyperbole, for this is something of a love letter, there is also a self-awareness. His line about becoming disillusioned for a time after discovering the emptiness beneath the surface charm resonated strongly and probably would with any Westerner who has fallen under the spell of the East.
A lot of Westerners think of Bangkok as an overpolulated, traffic choked den of iniquity. That is certainly my take on it in my latest novel Bangkok Burning, though that is obviously only one way of looking at a place that, though on the surface is often brutal and ugly, is probably one of the most charming on the planet. The difference is my book was fiction, Kerr's is autiobiographical and I think though he channels the city through its cultural heritage, he gets to the nub.
He peels aways the layers in a city that beguiles and finds that what makes him call it home is that the Thais are so welcoming, on the surface at least. Who isn't disarmed by a smile? Though, as Kerr says, that smile can mean myriad things, not all of them charitable but it does smooth one's journey. That along with the ingrained concept of "sanuk" (fun) allied to the fatalistic "mai pen rai" (never mind) attitude, he identifies why so many of us set up home in a place that at first appears totally alien.
It took me years to try and penetrate the surface, however, and Kerr seems to struggle similarly when he concludes that he is still a "tourist". While he does at times cheerlead by calling Bangkok the "sexiest" place on Earth and other such foregivable hyperbole, for this is something of a love letter, there is also a self-awareness. His line about becoming disillusioned for a time after discovering the emptiness beneath the surface charm resonated strongly and probably would with any Westerner who has fallen under the spell of the East.
November 21, 2023
A few interesting insights on the city (not enough, I'll be honest, for more than 300 pages - very little on the geography of Bangkok for instance) and some comments felt very Western-centric and neocolonialist to me. It was mostly a no for me
August 6, 2023
Interesting introduction to Bangkok and Thai culture, with an original comparison (contrast) to Japanese culture.
October 27, 2024
Little tidbits of insightful information about Thai culture- past and present. The narrative made it easy to digest while still giving me lots to think about, mark on Google Maps, and to research further. A bibliography at the end of the book would have helped other readers,like me, who want to learn more. I wish there was a book like this for every country I travel to.
March 27, 2024
It reinforced what I already felt when visiting Thailand. An interesting read about the culture and origin, Thailand indeed is a melting pot on the crossroads of the region.
January 27, 2025
I lichrally just landed! Like Pisani’s travelogue of Indonesia this is not directly functionally ‘useful’ but it has provided some rough brushstrokes of Thai culture
January 31, 2024
A well-written read for anyone interested in the Thai culture, history and national mindset, as well as the modern city of Bangkok. The (originally American) author is also a Japanologist who splits his year between both countries and this lends the book some unique perspectives, with lots of comparison between the Thai and Japanese worldviews and how these are expressed in artistic design and various traditions. Great travel writing that felt readable and carefully paced, chapters covering a range of angles, particularly art, architecture, historic objects and religion.
December 10, 2023
A great little read on Bangkok! Structured as an anthology of cultural observations, the book shines with its simple, accessible writing that steers away from the exoticising tropes that many Western writers fall back on when describing Asia.
January 22, 2025
I read Another Bangkok while traveling to the city, hoping to better understand Bangkok and Thailand as a whole. There aren’t many non-fiction books about Bangkok, especially recent ones, so I appreciated that Alex Kerr updated this book a couple of years ago to keep it relevant.
Alex is clearly very knowledgeable, and I learned a lot about Thai architecture and design, although that does not necessarily interest me. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about why the city is losing its old charm and how difficult it is to preserve historic architecture, with older parts of town often replaced by skyscrapers—so different from Europe, where old buildings are protected. I also found the insights into how foreigners are perceived—kept at arm’s length despite Bangkok’s multiculturalism—very interesting, as well as the realities of expat life and the strong entrepreneurial culture that drives so many one-person businesses in Thailand. These sections offered a rich perspective on the city’s complexity.
That said, I was hoping for more focus on the lives of everyday people, as the book leans heavily on the experiences of the upper class. My main critique is the occasional lack of structure, as the book sometimes jumps between topics and feels a bit scattered. However, Alex’s frequent comparisons to Japan, where he lived for many years, add a unique and fascinating perspective that ties everything together. Overall, it’s a thoughtful and insightful read, and I came away with a better understanding of Thai culture. A solid 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for its depth of knowledge and fresh take.
Alex is clearly very knowledgeable, and I learned a lot about Thai architecture and design, although that does not necessarily interest me. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about why the city is losing its old charm and how difficult it is to preserve historic architecture, with older parts of town often replaced by skyscrapers—so different from Europe, where old buildings are protected. I also found the insights into how foreigners are perceived—kept at arm’s length despite Bangkok’s multiculturalism—very interesting, as well as the realities of expat life and the strong entrepreneurial culture that drives so many one-person businesses in Thailand. These sections offered a rich perspective on the city’s complexity.
That said, I was hoping for more focus on the lives of everyday people, as the book leans heavily on the experiences of the upper class. My main critique is the occasional lack of structure, as the book sometimes jumps between topics and feels a bit scattered. However, Alex’s frequent comparisons to Japan, where he lived for many years, add a unique and fascinating perspective that ties everything together. Overall, it’s a thoughtful and insightful read, and I came away with a better understanding of Thai culture. A solid 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for its depth of knowledge and fresh take.
January 26, 2025
This book should be called “another Southeast Asia”. Much as I liked the comparative analysis between Japan and Thailand, many observations aren’t unique to Thailand and would’ve been true to certain degrees in every southeast Asian market.
I liked the fast insights into cuisine, art history and the issues these face.
The book is beautifully written - that’s how I managed to finish the book despite the proliferation of baseless assumptions and mistakes. Three examples here
1. “words like “Lao”, “Khmer” ,”Thai” are artificial because the boundaries have shifted over the years.” This is wrong; it just means the word has many definitions, like the words Caucasian or Rus. Context is everything.
2. “Bangkok advanced in the noughties following rapid economic development”, Not said: the Thai economy was NOT doing better than others in its region. Everyone developed so it’s a moot point.
3. You cannot identify Japan and China as Southeast Asia; they are north east Asia. It’s like lumping Estonia or Poland with Greece.
I’m just your average southeast Asian who has been literate for as long as Alex Kerr has been here. so for me to be able to comment in such detail just tells you how many pinches of salt one needs to read this with. But yes, beautiful read. We are aligned on how much we love BKK and why it’s alluring. I’m now inspired to read some academic journals to contextualize what I’ve read.
I liked the fast insights into cuisine, art history and the issues these face.
The book is beautifully written - that’s how I managed to finish the book despite the proliferation of baseless assumptions and mistakes. Three examples here
1. “words like “Lao”, “Khmer” ,”Thai” are artificial because the boundaries have shifted over the years.” This is wrong; it just means the word has many definitions, like the words Caucasian or Rus. Context is everything.
2. “Bangkok advanced in the noughties following rapid economic development”, Not said: the Thai economy was NOT doing better than others in its region. Everyone developed so it’s a moot point.
3. You cannot identify Japan and China as Southeast Asia; they are north east Asia. It’s like lumping Estonia or Poland with Greece.
I’m just your average southeast Asian who has been literate for as long as Alex Kerr has been here. so for me to be able to comment in such detail just tells you how many pinches of salt one needs to read this with. But yes, beautiful read. We are aligned on how much we love BKK and why it’s alluring. I’m now inspired to read some academic journals to contextualize what I’ve read.
September 11, 2022
My reading of the book coincided perfectly my five-day trip in Thailand. The book served as the consummate guide while exploring Krabi and Bangkok. I would highly recommend the book to anyone visiting Bangkok on their first or umpteenth trip.
There are a lot of gems in the book. For example, the only reason I visited and understood the significance of City pillar is because Alex Kerr's successfully transfuses his passion for the monument to the reader. Otherwise as the author mentions, it's easy to miss.The author covers are a lot of topics woth great gusto and manages do justice to most. The chapter's are loosely connected essays that cover a lrage range of topics such as art, personal experience, sex, politics and business.
I only found author's guesstimate, of number of anrique pots produced historically (3 million) and his insistence to use the number as sacrosanct, unintentionally hilarious.
Overall the book will be your best companion on your next trip to Thailand.
My family trip to Thailand was much richer thanks to the context provided by the book.
There are a lot of gems in the book. For example, the only reason I visited and understood the significance of City pillar is because Alex Kerr's successfully transfuses his passion for the monument to the reader. Otherwise as the author mentions, it's easy to miss.The author covers are a lot of topics woth great gusto and manages do justice to most. The chapter's are loosely connected essays that cover a lrage range of topics such as art, personal experience, sex, politics and business.
I only found author's guesstimate, of number of anrique pots produced historically (3 million) and his insistence to use the number as sacrosanct, unintentionally hilarious.
Overall the book will be your best companion on your next trip to Thailand.
My family trip to Thailand was much richer thanks to the context provided by the book.
December 28, 2022
I first heard of Alex Kerr when I was living in Japan and saw his book Lost Japan (I cannot remember whether or not I have read it - but will (re)read it either way). Fast forward about 25 years, and I stumbled across this book while in the public library, and I was surprised to hear that he had relocated to Thailand (where I have also lived) and had written about it. All the better for us who are interested in Thailand - this book is excellent. The chapters are divided into different topics (land, houses, design, flowers, etc.), and Kerr approaches them from different angles - historical, cultural, personal experience, etc. What I found particularly enjoyable and relatable was how he contrasted some elements with Japanese culture, about which Kerr is incredibly knowledgeable. Not only did this book teach me a lot about Thailand, but it made me excited for future plans to spend yet more time there.
December 25, 2023
Excellent pre-travel book for Thailand, especially in its comparison to Japan and sometimes China.
Fusion
- Archtecture, art motifs, and confluence of Asian cultures and ethnicities
- Thai food is fusion of different cuisines with simulatenous salty, sweet, sour in one bite
- Thai "religion" is also fusion of Hindu, Khmer influences
- Long-time historical ties with the West in stark contrast to Japan and China
Old vs New
- Old Thai vs new Thai, country Thai vs city Thai, and the "farang" in between
- The political invention that is "Thai" culture
- Thai etiquette
Wow
- chili was unknown to Thailand, and came from the New World
- chopsticks are not used here, except in places with lots of Japanese people
Fusion
- Archtecture, art motifs, and confluence of Asian cultures and ethnicities
- Thai food is fusion of different cuisines with simulatenous salty, sweet, sour in one bite
- Thai "religion" is also fusion of Hindu, Khmer influences
- Long-time historical ties with the West in stark contrast to Japan and China
Old vs New
- Old Thai vs new Thai, country Thai vs city Thai, and the "farang" in between
- The political invention that is "Thai" culture
- Thai etiquette
Wow
- chili was unknown to Thailand, and came from the New World
- chopsticks are not used here, except in places with lots of Japanese people
February 17, 2024
4.5
I really enjoyed how Kerr creates a vivid portrait of Bangkok and all it's various eccentricities, such as the antiques markets, dancing, history, religion and how its changed since he first moved there in the early 1990s. I also enjoyed the comparison with Japan, as it shows how diverse the countries of South East Asia can be, such as through gardening, dancing, societal norms etc. Although he does mention some similarities, which is interesting as often Japan is portrayed as having barely any outside influence. So its nice to hear about the broad cultural themes of Southeast Asia, as it shows how it can transcend borders or change from place to place.
I really enjoyed how Kerr creates a vivid portrait of Bangkok and all it's various eccentricities, such as the antiques markets, dancing, history, religion and how its changed since he first moved there in the early 1990s. I also enjoyed the comparison with Japan, as it shows how diverse the countries of South East Asia can be, such as through gardening, dancing, societal norms etc. Although he does mention some similarities, which is interesting as often Japan is portrayed as having barely any outside influence. So its nice to hear about the broad cultural themes of Southeast Asia, as it shows how it can transcend borders or change from place to place.
September 6, 2025
Really well written which makes for a very engaging read. Couldn’t say I know enough on the subject matter to be able to critically dissect a lot of the points made, but I think it’s made clear a lot of the insight comes from their experience of the city.
Definitely worth a read if you have been/are going to Thailand. Not a lonely planet-esque guide by any means but provides an interesting cultural introduction into the city.
The first few chapters were a bit self-indulgent in my view, but the latter ones really make up for it for how they delve into Thai culture.
Definitely worth a read if you have been/are going to Thailand. Not a lonely planet-esque guide by any means but provides an interesting cultural introduction into the city.
The first few chapters were a bit self-indulgent in my view, but the latter ones really make up for it for how they delve into Thai culture.
September 16, 2022
Thinking of traveling to Bangkok and want to get a feel for the place before you get there? Alex Kerr's book, Another Bangkok, Reflections on the City, transports you to the bustling, multicultural and frenetic city that is Bangkok. I already love the place and I haven't gone yet. His love of Bangkok and the Thai people shines through this short tome. He love of Japan (he makes a lot of comparisons between both places as he has lived in both) adds a unique perspective.
January 17, 2023
3.5 Stars.
The book is lively, telling a deeper side of Bangkok that a tourist might not delve into. I wish every topic in the subject is discussed more deeply, so that it really became another side of Bangkok that is not previously open to foreigners that we can understand through this book.
Overall a nice read, especially nice if you miss Bangkok or if you want to revisit Bangkok right after your holiday (like I did…)
First book of 2023!
The book is lively, telling a deeper side of Bangkok that a tourist might not delve into. I wish every topic in the subject is discussed more deeply, so that it really became another side of Bangkok that is not previously open to foreigners that we can understand through this book.
Overall a nice read, especially nice if you miss Bangkok or if you want to revisit Bangkok right after your holiday (like I did…)
First book of 2023!
January 5, 2023
Really enjoyed this, especially the sections on architecture. Some good recommendations for novels with a Bangkok bent too. Suspect he hasn’t been to Kuala Lumpur enough/much because a lot of the things he raves about Bangkok are very present in KL too (yes, I’m biased haha). Super interesting read.
August 3, 2025
I loved Alex Kerr’s Lost in Japan, but his insights on Bangkok are superficial. I’m largely disappointed in his analysis of Thai culture, and the starting point of “Thai culture is superficial” just feels…so wrong… to me as an Asian and someone who has grown up knowing about the influence Thailand has had on the world. Perhaps he’s called a Japanologist for a reason.
April 22, 2023
Great read. Author provides interesting insight and comparisons between Japan and Thailand. Some sections seemed less relevant/more personal. It touched upon a wide variety of topics: dance, food, architecture, design, politics and history. Highly recommend for any Thai-American. ♥️🇹🇭
April 29, 2025
Loved jumping back to Bangkok Everytime I picked up the book (grew up there). The book is short and tackles MANY subjects. Some areas of history/research is a bit vague or flaky It has a western perspective despite the author living in Thailand for 30+ years, to take with a grain of salt.
August 10, 2021
A great inside scoop about the city of bangkok
September 28, 2021
Very informative with some fascinating stories and facts. Now I just need to explore the rest of Bangkok.
June 13, 2023
I enjoyed this very much. We have much to learn from and about Thailand
December 3, 2023
Chaotic banalities. All in all, a disappointment.
Want to read
January 17, 2025Me encontré este libro en mi última visita a Bangkok 🫶
July 31, 2025
Before traveling to Bangkok I read this book and it helped me to see the beauty in each corner of the city. Wonderful book for those who like history and travel reads!
November 13, 2024
As someone who wants to believe that I must have been Thai in one of my former lives, I LOVED this book.
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It taught me so much I never knew or understood about Thailand, from architecture to flower art, traditional dance and ceramics patterns. Did you know that the Traiphum cosmology has an influence on all of that?🪐
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The book is like a travel guide, just better: an analysis of the Thai soul, cultivated over thousands of years, and expressed in every day forms of art.
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If there was a book like this about every country, I’d read it.
.
It taught me so much I never knew or understood about Thailand, from architecture to flower art, traditional dance and ceramics patterns. Did you know that the Traiphum cosmology has an influence on all of that?🪐
.
The book is like a travel guide, just better: an analysis of the Thai soul, cultivated over thousands of years, and expressed in every day forms of art.
.
If there was a book like this about every country, I’d read it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews