The vision for my website has always been to provide my readers and followers with what THEY want. This is why I always ask for constructive feedback on my posts. I want to tailor what I write to my audience, my readership. Although many of my posts and books are on Thai cultural anthropology, I don’t only write about Thai culture. There’s something for everyone.
My vision is to encourage greater communication between readers and writers. I’d like to see readers comment on what I post. Not just saying how good or bad it is (which is unfortunately the usual but not a very informative response), but actually ADDING to the post topic. That way, many people can add their own knowledge and experience to the post’s topic. Everyone wins.
The World Wide Web
Because the internet is a vast and largely unorganized place, the task of my posts getting read is enormous. I’m competing with millions of posts. The internet is a crowded area with an estimated 2 to 4 million new posts added each day. Although blogs often become inactive, they remain indexed on the web. That figure is around 980 million or more. No-one really knows, and Google keeps the information secret.
My solution is to put my work in as many places on the web as possible, but without flooding readers’ inboxes. Writing only 2 or 3 times a week at regular times, and clearly indicating the topic of the post in the email headline is my intended solution. Readers can then read and comment if the post is of interest, or simply delete it if it doesn’t appeal to them.
Who is MattOwensRees?
My focus group took time to develop but is now paying dividends. I can bounce ideas off Thais from varying social classes. From poor farmers and construction workers to those working in offices and shops. From bankers to well-off business owners.
The group includes members of the so-called hi-so elite as well as military and police officers. Interaction sometimes needs to be one-to-one as Thais are cautious expressing their views in front of their other countrymen.
To understand Thailand and to integrate better with the Thai people and their culture, it’s important to observe and listen rather than doing all the talking oneself. After all, God gave us two eyes and two ears but only ONE mouth.
Through field research and discussions with Thais, either in normal conversation or in the lecture theatre, Matt presents a rich picture of the real Thailand, warts and all.
My Books
Although the title of my second most read book is about Wales and a Mafia, it’s popularity stems from its comparisons with Thailand. The Land of Smiles has strict laws about what one can write about the country, not just the notorious Lese Majeste law. I have used the novel, The True Story of a Welsh Godfather to get around that.
Matt has written extensively on Thais and Thailand with 20 published books already available in eBook and print format.
Despite not being similar in style, his books reflect on some of the observations in “Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind.” ln his opinion, the best introductory book on Thais and Thailand. Written by Carol Hollinger in 1965, its insights are still very revealing and up to date.
Sadly, Hollinger passed away at 45 years old before she could see her best- selling book in print. Matt also then lost an opportunity to collaborate with her on a new book on the concept of Face in Thailand.
Readers can take a look at all the books written by Matt Owens Rees at http://www.books2read.com where they can find full details and excerpts for each title, and the opportunity to buy with just one click at the reader’s favourite online store.
Alternatively, Matt offers pdf versions of his books free of charge to genuine readers who want to comment constructively on his work and get it more widely known. Just send a private email to MattOwensRees@proton.me indicating the book of your choice.
Please leave a reply. My readers would love to see your comments.