Discover thrilling tales from Thailand to Wales – 60 novels by Owen Jones!
Discover thrilling tales from Thailand to Wales – 60 novels by Owen Jones!
This title refers to the first trilogy I ever wrote and sel-published and ‘Behind The Smile – The Story of Lek, a Bar Girl in Pattaya’ refers to the fact that Thailand is called ‘The Land of Smiles’.
‘Behind The Smile’ is a category used on our blog Megan Publishing Services https://meganpublishingservices.com to identify posts relating to the series Behind The Smile by Owen Jones
Lek stood at the edge of the village, watching the fields ripple in the early light. It should have felt like coming home, yet uncertainty clung to her like mist. Ayr’s laughter behind her broke the tension, and for a moment, Lek allowed herself to believe that new beginnings were possible after all, but was that just an illusion?
Lek gazed at the quiet village fields, a stark contrast to Pattaya’s neon nights. Craig squeezed her hand, sharing her hesitation and hope. Could love survive here, away from bars and tourists, away from past mistakes? Every step forward felt both thrilling and terrifying - this was the life they had chosen, together. An exciting future lay before them.
Lek stared at the letter in her hands, heart pounding. The dream she had carried for years was finally within reach — but taking it meant leaving the life she had built in the village. Could she risk everything for a chance at fulfilment, or cling to comfort and certainty?
I've broken my pledge to write a blog diary post every day already, and feel pretty bad about it, but it all started because I had to stay up until four a.m. to talk to the US IRS on Monday. That threw me out for three days.
21:15 on the 11th July, 2025, is the 21st anniversary of my first meeting with Neem, my wife. At the time, she was working in her cousin's bar in Pattaya as the cashier, and believe it or not, she was the first Thai woman that I ever spoken to. Not only that, but the 11th was the first day I had ever spent in Thailand. It was love at first sight, and we have been inseparable ever since.
However, it is not easy. She has had ten years of living without having any obligations to anyone except her daughter, and now, she has to consider Craig in everything she does. It is fair to say that she finds it difficult.
Life in our village in remote northern Thailand is so different from my life in Barry, Wales... I feel it even now after having been here for 21 years
Beneath Pattaya’s neon lights lies a world few truly understand. Bar girls smile, flirt, and pour drinks — but behind every laugh is a story of survival. What Life Is Really Like for a Bar Girl in Pattaya reveals the raw, emotional truth behind the fantasy sold to foreign visitors.
A young Thai woman sits alone at a modest Pattaya bar, neon signs casting a gentle glow around her. Lost in thought, her expression reflects quiet resilience and a life few understand. This evocative scene captures the humanity behind the nightlife, inspired by *Daddy’s Hobby* and its unforgettable heroine, Lek.
Songkhran is the Thai New Year, which is is sometimes referred to as the Thai Water Festival. It is much more than that though. Read on...
Bartenders do more than serve drinks — they shape experiences! 🍸 This #WorldBartenderDay, celebrate with Behind The Smile, a gripping novel about life behind the bar.
Discovering Lek’s Story in Daddy’s Hobby… If you’re looking for a thought-provoking read that offers a deep dive into a world many have heard of but few truly understand, Daddy’s Hobby is a book you won’t want to miss. It’s…
Pattaya Red Light District Girls are not located in one place as in most cities, but not many of the girls would say they are working anyway!
Soi Nana, aka Sukhumvit Soi 4, is located in the heart of what most foreign tourists would call Bangkok’s Red Light District.
Pattaya Beach Road is one of the most famous streets in Thailand. It is located on the eastern side of Pattaya Bay and The Gulf of Thailand.
Behind The Smile – What Else? A smile makes people feel good, but could there be something else behind the smile sometimes? Deceit or danger?
Today, some friends suggested that I should consider republishing books from my flagship series Behind The Smile. However, I find it almost impossible to contemplate, but ih has to be considered.
Covid 19 has been with us for more than two years now, and I have not heard any predictions over that period that have come true. It was a new phenomenon for most of us, and for all of us when it is seen as a global plague, so there is little wonder that no-one could foresee any outcomes accurately.