Behind The Smile

the story of Lek, a bar girl in Pattaya

By: Owen Jones

 During the time that we were tring to get our first visa to the UK for my then girlfriend, we met many couples all over Pattaya and i the Embassy in Bangkok that were trying to do the same. Some of the couples had absolutely no idea how to go about it and others were convinced that they were on the right track when they obviously were not.

Most of the men were at least 10 years older than myself and most of the girls had never tried to get a visa before, the same as my partner. My Ace Card was the Internet. I knew how to use it and I knew how to take notes and follow them up.

We only failed on a technicality the first time, because my wife could not remember the word 'July', so she said 'seven month' in answer to their question: 'How long have you knwn Owen'. The entry stamp in my passport made her look like a liar.

Anyway, the point is that there was no cheap help available and most of the free help - the gossip - was contradictory. So, I decided to provide a cheap book that would fill the gap. I have met dozens of desperate men who have paid 20,000 Baht to an agenct, when it could have been done DIY for nothing.

As I was writing the ebook on getting a visa, it occurred to me that there was more that could be written on the subject. However, the extra material was not directly relevant to someone trying to get a visa. It was sort of periferal. And so 'Behind The Smile' was started.

'Behind The Smile' is an obvious reference to Thailand being known as 'The Land of Smiles' and it is concerns the story of Lek, a Thai bar girl in Pattaya. I am sure you have met one, if you have been there.

'Behind The Smile' is not about me and my wife, although there are a few similarities in places. The visa handbook is exactly what happened to us and the novel expands on it. If you read both books, you will notice a few similarities.

Behind The Smile takes Lek's life to just past getting her UK visa and meeting Craig's friends and family in the UK. There is scope for a follow up, if there is enough interest in the first book.

If you want to know more, click through to Lek's website Behind The Smile. it will open in a new window, so you will not lose your place. The book is available in paperback and Kindle format.

To your visa,

Owen