You wander down to the ground floor, and next to the relaxing fountains, you discover the Nimman Bar and Grill.

The sense of peace and welcome is accentuated by the clean design, in which the calming influence of natural wood is prominently featured.

A singer croons over the mic, singing soulfully. His fingers move nimbly across a shiny electric guitar. Bass notes bump smoothly in the background. The bassist nods his head to the music, glancing over at the drummer. The squealing lead guitar rises above the blend of sounds. It quickly builds to a crescendo, then wanes back down again.

For many, it will undoubtedly come as an immersion in not so often highlighted aspects of life in Thailand. In five enthralling novellas, this book delves deep into the true nature of this often-idealised country.

Our fresh-faced intern takes a morning jog around the moat and gets excited about his time here in Chiang Mai.