The country has a lot more to it than the clear waters and delicious food

One of the best water destinations in South East Asia, Thailand is one of the premier beach destinations. A mix of chaos and calm, Thailand has a history vast and rich than its waters. Right from fiction to Thai classics to modern-day thrillers, there is no dearth of books bringing to life the history of Thailand. Believe it or not, Thai history makes for fascinating reading. These books on Thailand are an excellent introduction to the country that will evoke thoughts of paradise, heritage, and unique culture.

Bangkok Wakes to Rain By Pitchaya Sudbanthad with each chapter featuring a new narrative and character, all unrelated to other and at the same time set in different time period make the read all the more interesting. However, the only thing they have in common is that all these narrations are set in Bangkok. But slowly, as the novel proceeds, the writer very beautifully converges all the characters thus making for a fascinating read.

Thailand: The Golden Kingdom by William Warren This is merely not a book but a colorful and pictorial book giving readers a tour of Thailand. This vivid photography and insightful commentary of a book is a perfect travel guide offering readers a glimpse at the dynamic country and its people. Thailand a country with a monarchy still deeply revered and has magic unknown to the world and it is this magic that the book captures perfectly showing all aspects of Thai life. The book also comes with sections on history, geography, cultural and religious heritage.

Early Thailand: From Prehistory to Sukhothai by Rochanee Thosarat and Charles Higham The establishment of Thailand since its inception has most often than not given proof of its heritage through the various hundred-year-old ruins discovered from its land. And it were the dramatic new archaeological discoveries that took place over the past 10 years that made its way into the book. The book covers the history of the kingdom from the first human settlement.

Four Reigns by Kukrit Pramoj It is the longest novel of the author celebrating Thai statesman and aficionado of Thailand's cultural heritage. The book narrates the rich and entertaining story of the life of Phloi and her family, from both the inside and the outside of the palace walls. The story unfolds during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) in the closing years of the 1800s, ending in the mid-1940s with the death of his grandson, King Ananda Mahidol (King Rama VIII).

A few other books are Vanishing Bangkok: The Changing Face of the City by Ben Davies, The Beach By Alex GarlandandBangkok 8: A Royal Thai Detective Novel.