
Existential Treatise by Dean Barrett
The above photo has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I somehow located several book cover images on fictional novels penned by the legendary writer in Bangkok, Dean Barrett, and wanted to post them before my hard drive crashes (again). Dean seems to be doing quite well these days, and is consistently aggressive about marketing his works, along with another famous Bangkok writer, Christopher Moore. I see their names and book titles, and announcements of public signings all over the place, and hope it's working for them. I know several other writers in the Big Mango who have failed in their dream profession, and it hasn't been a pretty picture. No, I won't name names, but some of you know.
My holidays were just superb as I took BART from San Francisco to a town about one hour northeast of town, and hanged out with my Mom from Sacramento, my Sister who lives in Ione, her husband Stan, their daughter Heather and her Iranian husband Payam, their crazed little kid named Dylan, and Payam's mother. Great group of people.
In other news, Don Gilliland, owner of Dasa Books in Bangkok, offers an email newsletter with insight into the publishing community and other stuff. I'm going to subscribe and see what he's got to say.......
This week Bangkok got just what it has been waiting for: another new shopping center! But this just isn't any run-of-the-mill emporium; this is Siam Paragon, a mammoth monstrosity that promises those with disposable income an orgasmic shopping experience beyond compare.
And just so no one misses it, Siam Paragon was built in the heart of BangkokÂs main shopping district; conveniently situated next to Siam Center, Siam Discovery Center, and Siam Square. What's up next, Siam Regurgitate Center? Enough already! But apparently it's not enough for some diehards. Built on the grounds of the old Siam Intercontinental Hotel, Siam Paragon has over 500,000 square meters of retail space, all housed in an ultra sleek and shiny high-tech façade.
The developers of Siam Paragon are hoping it will become a magnet for tourist shoppers and also attract the legions of well-heeled Thais that previously fled the kingdom for shopping sprees in Singapore and Hong Kong. Tucked away in the inner bowels of Siam Paragon is Siam Ocean World, billed as Southeast Asia's largest aquarium, with over 30,000 marine animals on hand for your gawking pleasure. That's right, now you don't have venture all the way to the chambers of the Thai Senate to look at sharks.
Besides the underwater wonders, Siam Paragon has hundreds of upscale retail shops, eating establishments, car showrooms, cinemas, bowling lanes, an opera house, and not one but three Starbucks outlets. One wonders if there will be a dress code just to enter the premises.
Dasa Books Newsletter Link