Book Review: Restless Souls by Phil Thornton


Restless Souls: Rebels, Refugees, Medics and Misfits on the Thai-burma Border Paperback by Phil Thornton (Author)
  • Paperback: 220 pages
  • Publisher: Asia Books (2006)
  • ISBN-10: 9748303918
  • ISBN-13: 978-9748303918
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces



I finally read this book (I picked it up in Thailand in 2011 when I was visiting Mae Sot and Chiang Mai so it's about time. It gives good descriptions of conditions in Mae Sot, Thailand on the Burmese border circa 2006 and the terrible conditions and events that are routine there. Too many of these problems continue to exist.

It also, much to my surprise has graphic descriptions of the harm that is sometimes caused when people seek medical help from "traditional healers." If one is seeking information on what some "alternative treatment modalities" can do (i.e. cause infection and then spread it until a limb needs to be amputated) I recommend you check out this book. If you have an interest in alternative medicine it's worth checking out.

Of course, if one is interested in Burma (Myanmar), refugees, or the Karen people and their horrible political situation, this book is well worth checking out for that too. I preferred it over "For us surrender is out of the question," as the author of "Restless Souls" has more experience with the issues and their complexity. 

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