Anthropology
-
Why Thais keep dogs. All my neighbours have dogs. Fon has five. Generally, Thais won’t neuter their pets. https://www.mattowensrees.com/2025/11/03/why-veterinary-surgeons-face-problems A government initiative, in collaboration with European veterinary surgeons, has not been as successful as was hoped. UK vets get disillusioned with the slow spaying and castrating speed of local vets. They begin to get bored and lose…
-
From years of observation—and conversations with fellow anthropologists steeped in Thai society—I’ve come to a curious conclusion: most Thais tend to think and act just one step ahead. Not two. Not three. Just one. That’s not to say strategic thinking is absent. I’m sure there are Thai chess players who can plan a dozen moves…
-
And comment on them to make your voice heard List of books Click on the titles to download the books:
-
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…
-
How dangerous is driving in Thailand? Over the next couple of days I’m going to post some short pieces of examples of bad driving in the country with the highest civilian death rate in the world. Many bloggers comment about it. Few explain WHY it occurs. it’s largely cultural! The largest death toll is with…
-
Problems Facing Cultural Anthropology in Today’s Woke World The toast at a Pure Mathematics institute in the 60s and 70s was, “To Pure Mathematics. May it never be any use to anyone”. That was tongue in cheek, of course. Pure mathematics is a science, and the comment was just meant to annoy the more worldly mathematicians who…
-
King Bhumibol was so against any cruelty to dogs that he wrote a book about Tongdaeng, a mongrel he rescued from a slum. The government later imprisoned a Thai man, under Thailand’s strict lèse majesté laws, for posting sarcastic comments about the dog online. Ten true stories explaining how dogs interact in our lives in…
-
Thailand in words and images The stone house in Tha Rae. By Lode DEC 23, 2023 A place of love, hope and faith! The governor of Sakon Nakhon, Thao-ngonkham, was the master of ceremonies on his sister’s wedding day. She married the Vice Governor. Together they had many children, including Miss Noona and the youngest of the boys, Khien. Noona…
-
Final episode Matt OwensRees. profile of a writer on Thailand 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…
-
Search Write 28 The True Story of a Welsh Godfather Episode 1 of 10 MattOwensRees writer on Thai culture and lifestyle 5 min read Most readers like to read short pieces with some photos. So, I will publish this true biography of the Welsh Godfather over 10 episodes. I’d love to hear your comments on…