I’ve just received a copy of ‘Southeast Asia – A Region Revealed’. It’s basically a compendium of all the books in the Enchanting Asia series and includes work by myself, Malaysian-based David Bowden, and UK photographer, Nigel Hicks. My contributions are the entire sections on Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Other sections include Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

It is published in the UK by John Beaufoy Publishing. Here in Thailand it will be available through Asia Books and Kinokuniya. It is also being shipped to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, and will feature in the Readers Digest Asia catalogue.

I also have two new books in this series out at the end of next month, namely ‘Bangkok’ and ‘Chiang Mai & Northern Thailand’. The end of November also sees the release of a large hardback book, Presenting Cambodia. I’ll post more information as soon as they are out.

I’ve just received copies of the Russian edition of my book, Enchanting Thailand, published by John Beaufoy Publishing. Here in Thailand, it will be distributed by co-publisher, Asia Books. Given the number of Russian tourists that currently visit Thailand, this is good news. Apologies for the rather poor quality scans of the front and back cover here. The book is now available in English, Dutch and Russian.

The  ‘Enchanting Asia’ books are pictorial visitor guides showing many of the main cultural attractions that a tourist visiting for a week or so might expect to see. The 190 images in each book are accompanied by an introductory text  with an overview of the history, geography, culture, festivals, food and so on. The second section is images with extended captions. I have authored and photographed books in the series on Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. In October, new Bangkok and Chiang Mai editions will be released, initially in English.

I’m pleased to be able to tell you that ‘Enchanting Myanmar’ is out now in Asia Books and all good bookshops in Thailand. You can also order on Amazon. I am very happy with this one and consider it to be the best in the series so far. And of course it is being released at an exciting time for the country and for travellers. We’ll be holding a book launch in Yangon in late November.

Here’s a quick preview:

In 1898, in “Letters from the East” Rudyard Kipling, recounting his journey by steamer sailing up the Irrawaddy Delta to Rangoon, wrote “Then, a golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon…a shape that was neither Muslim dome nor Hindu temple spire…the golden dome said: “This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.” The celebrated English novelist and poet was describing his first view of one of the region’s most sacred Buddhist sites and a highlight of any visit to the country, the Shwedagon Paya, a magnificent 99-m (325-ft) gilded stupa crowning Singuttara Hill.

Today, over a century since Kipling’s observations, the country now known as Myanmar is the last frontier of discovery for cultural travellers in South-East Asia. An intriguing land of shimmering temple spires and archaeological wonders, extraordinary ethnic diversity, astonishing natural beauty, and warm and welcoming people, this ‘golden land’ still remains unlike any other.

 The gateway to Myanmar is the former capital, Yangon (known to the British as Rangoon). Here, the faded glory of imposing British architecture garners the admiration of visitors but is also a pertinent reminder of a more enduring colonial-era legacy – a turbulent history. Yet the youthful population now looks forward and on the city’s bustling streets there is a palpable sense of optimism. Today’s Yangon is a city of contrast. Buildings of red-brick and crumbling stucco are fronted by billboards advertising the latest ‘must-have’ gadgets while Buddhist mantras of non-attachment are whispered within the confines of sacred temples; muscular SUVs with blacked-out windows roll past ageing trishaws laden with smiling ladies cradling fresh produce from the market; street vendors sell posters of Aung San and his daughter Aung San Suu Kyi while rhetoric in the state newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, declares the ‘people’s desires’. Unchanged yet looking to the future, chaotic with pockets of calm, deeply complex yet often starkly black and white, Yangon’s heady cocktail is as refreshing as it is intoxicating.

Here’s a bit of good news if you are Dutch or can read the language, ‘Enchanting Thailand’ or rather ‘Betoverend Thailand’ has just been launched in Holland. The hardback book has been released by my publisher, John Beaufoy in association with Atrium and in keeping with other books in the series features an informative text providing insight into the country and culture, accompanied by 180 colour photos.

From the jacket: “A country of intrigue and adventure, Thailand’s exotic mix of glistening temples, extraordinary annual festivals, idyllic tropical islands, and genuinely hospitable people has made it one of the world’s most popular and rewarding travel destinations. The country is home to a distinctive culture that enables old traditions to sit comfortably within a prosperous and progressive society and enrich the lives of all who visit. One of the original “Asian tiger” economies, over the past two decades Thailand has survived boom and bust, undergone recovery, experienced political upheaval, and still welcomes all travellers with a warm and gracious smile.Enchanting Thailand is a vivid and colourful introduction to all the major tourist sights and places of interest throughout the country, from the cosmopolitan metropolis of Bangkok to fascinating but little visited regions in the northeast.”

If you’ve enjoyed the series, namely “Enchanting Laos” and “Enchanting Cambodia”, watch out for the timely release of “Enchanting Myanmar” in November. There’s also a couple of others on the horizon but more on those at a later date.

I flew down to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines. It was nice to see a recent article of mine in their inflight magazine, ‘Going Places’. Thanks to editor, Vivian Chong, it is certainly one of the best inflight reads around at the moment.  My feature was on the market town of Pakse in southern Laos. Here’s a scan of the opening page of the five page spread.  If you want to know more about Pakse and are not flying with Malaysia Airlines in January, you can pick up my book, ‘Enchanting Laos’ online or at all good bookshops or have a look at pictures in the Portfolio.

Just a quick reminder that my books have been released in Europe. They were commissioned by John Beaufoy Publishing in the UK as part of the ‘Enchanting Asia’ series. The hardback Thai edition is co-published with Asia Books. This brand new ‘Enchanting Asia’ series are pictorial visitor guides showing the main cultural attractions that a tourist visiting for a week or so might expect to see.

 The 190 images in each book are accompanied by an introductory text with an overview of the history, geography, culture, festivals, food and so on. The second section is of images with extended captions. Here in Asia the books are available in Asia Books throughout Thailand and Monument Books in Laos, Cambodia and Mynamar. In Europe and the USA they are available at all good bookshops and online at Amazon. They are the perfect Christmas gift!

I am currently working on Enchanting Myanmar, a project that I am particularly excited about as it is the most fascinating country in Southeast Asia.

I am sure it could be said that my postings are infrequent and when they do appear are distinctly lacking in words. The truth is I’ve never really got with the blogging thing. And the reason is simple; I work for a living. I have always considered irrepressible blogging to be a sure sign that someone has too much time on their hands.

The reason for the scarcity of postings is that for the last few months I have been travelling the length and breadth of Laos, Thailand and Cambodia taking pics for books. Well, the fruits of my labours, words and images, are soon to surface in a bookshop near you…and on the web.

The books were commissioned by John Beaufoy Publishing in the UK as part of the ‘Enchanting Asia’ series. The hardback Thai edition will be co-published with Asia Books.

This brand new ‘Enchanting Asia’ series are pictorial visitor guides showing many of the main cultural attractions that a tourist visiting for a week or so might expect to see. The 190 images in each book are accompanied by an introductory text  with an overview of the history, geography, culture, festivals, food and so on. The second section is of images with extended captions.

Here’s an overview from my forthcoming book, ‘Enchanting Laos’.

‘Few countries conjure up such a sense of mystery and intrigue in the traveller’s mind as mountainous, landlocked Laos. Regarded as Southeast Asia’s sleepy backwater for many years, Laos’ communist government ensured that the country remained closed to the outside world. Unconcerned by neighbouring Thailand’s dash for modernity, Laos resolutely moved at its own pace. When the door was finally eased open for travellers in the early 90s, it revealed a beautiful country with a fascinating culture and an ethnically diverse population. Today, Laos is well and truly awakening from its slumber. The capital, Vientiane, bustles with renewed energy, but many of Laos’ attractions lie beyond the capital, where the rural population still ekes out an existence as subsistence farmers, fishermen, market traders and merchants. For many in the countryside, little has changed, and that is part of Laos’ enduring appeal for visitors.’

Here in Asia the books will be available in Asia Books throughout Thailand and Monument Books in Laos, Cambodia and Mynamar from November 4^th 2011. Of course they will also be available in Europe and the USA at all good bookshops. You can also order online at Amazon. They are the perfect Christmas gift!

I am currently working on Enchanting Myanmar, a project that I am particularly excited about as it is the most fascinating country in Southeast Asia.