Thailand Confidential

Why are these people smiling? Writer Jerry Hopkins came to Thailand for a visit in the 1980s to find out and ended up a permanent resident with a temporary visa-a big, white farang haunting the bars and back alleys of Bangkok. His essays explore the mystery and mayhem of "The Land of Smiles" to hilarious-and sometimes disturbing-effect. Travel with him to a place where water buffaloes are gay, insects are dinner, dildos are lucky charms, and your wildest adolescent fantasies can come true (for a nominal fee).

Why are these people smiling? Writer Jerry Hopkins came to Thailand for a visit in the 1980s to find out and ended up a permanent resident with a temporary visa-a big, white farang haunting the bars and back alleys of Bangkok. His essays explore the mystery and mayhem of "The Land of Smiles" to hilarious-and sometimes disturbing-effect. Travel with him to a place where water buffaloes are gay, insects are dinner, dildos are lucky charms, and your wildest adolescent fantasies can come true (for a nominal fee).

Jerry Hopkins wrote bestselling biographies of Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, and Jimi Hendrix and was an editor and correspondent for Rolling Stone for twenty years. He is the author of 30 books, including the recent Extreme Cuisine. He currently lives in Thailand.