Crime fiction writer, journalist, publisher
Tom Vater is a writer working predominantly in Asia.
He has published three crime novels and is the co-owner of Crime Wave Press, a Hong Kong based crime fiction imprint.
He writes for publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Times, The Guardian, The Nikkei Asian Review, CNN, Marie Claire, The Diplomat, Geographical, and Penthouse and has published some twenty non-fiction books, including the best-selling Sacred Skin.
He is The Daily Telegraph‘s destination expert for Thailand and has authored several guidebooks on Thailand and Cambodia.
He is the co-author of three documentary screenplays, including the highly praised The Most Secret Place On Earth, a feature on the CIA’s secret war in Laos.
Tom works as a consultant for a range of organizations providing background on the political, cultural and social landscape of Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal and India.
He is represented by London-based literary agency Marjacq.
Portfolio
Feature Stories
Bangkok's 'motorcycle mamas' roar into men's world- Nikkei Asian Review
BANGKOK -- Thailand's capital is well-known for its grid-locked roads. During Bangkok's intense rush hour, only the city's army of motorcycle taxi drivers keep things moving....
Vang Vieng, Laos: From party capital to eco-adventure paradise
Like the spine of a sleeping dragon, dramatic limestone mountains rise above the luscious paddy fields of central (CNN) - Laos. In the middle of it all, you'll find Vang Vieng....
Darjeeling's tea king wants an organic agricultural revolution
Life is chaos; the world is chaos, according to Rajah Banerjee. "The only constant is change. What are we doing here and where are we going? We need to answer these questions to...
Laos sees marked shift in tourist appeal
VIENTIANE -- It is Saturday afternoon in tourist high season, and Vientiane is very quiet. Most shops are closed for the weekend. A couple of Asian tour groups ascend the...
India's decaying 'Little Europe' gets a facelift- Nikkei Asian Review
KOLKATA -- Kolkata, or as the city was formerly known, Calcutta, was founded by the British on the humid banks of the Hooghly River in Bengal in 1690. Two centuries later, the...
Travel Guides
Bangkok City Break Guide. Songkran celebrations, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, unspoilt islands, festivals and events.
Moon Angkor Wat: Including Siem Reap & Phnom Penh
With Siem Reap & Phnom Penh The ancient temples at Angkor Wat are unlike anything else on earth. Step back in time and take the trip of a lifetime with Moon Angkor Wat.
Current titles: Best-selling German language Thailand Guidebook. Bestselling guide to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan & Koh Tao. Guide to the Angkor temples in...
Crime Novels
A saga of sex, drugs and murder on the road between London and the Indian subcontinent.
The Cambodian Book of the Dead
As soon as Maier, detective and former war reporter, arrives in Cambodia, his journey leads into the darkest corners of the country’s history.
Detective Maier is sent to Laos to find a legendary CIA file crammed with Cold War secrets.
Illustrated Books
Sacred Skin | Thailand's Spirit Tattoos
A beautifully illustrated book introducing the mysterious world of sak yant, spirit tattoos said to bestow protective powers upon their bearers.
Burmese Light - Impressions of the Golden Land
Behind the Bamboo Curtain: a journey through a fascinating country slowly but steadily emerging from a long period of involuntarily isolation.
Cambodia: A Journey through the Land of the Khmer
A trip through the history and landscape of Cambodia introducing the country's people, culture and colorful festivals.
Documentary & Publishing
Kumbh Mela - The Greatest Show on Earth
In the footsteps of Alok Sharma, the top policeman in charge of the Maha Kumbh Mela in India, the largest gathering of people on planet earth, ever!