First of all, I tend to read of lot of Indian and other local Asian authors whose works are not available on line. So you have to consider the type of reading you do and whether the books you tend to read are available on line. ... (Leaving such an expensive book by your lounge chair when you go for a swim at the beach may be another issue.) For planes, airport layovers and hotel rooms it is great, but only you can determine if that is worth the price. It is not heavy. ...
Thailand Beaches
Thailand's beaches are well established, have warm water and weather,friendly relaxed people, comfortable accommodation and they're cheap Around $30/£20 a day should get you an excellent double room with aircon, breakfast and maybe even a swimming pool- incredibly cheap when compared to the Caribbean, Indian Ocean or Pacific island paradises.
These beaches do have a clear best/worst time to visit - see Thailand Beaches Information to help you there. They also have less apparent regional flaws that you can see exposed in the different sections of the Beach Pictures gallery.
However, Thailand's roads are generally excellent and transport is comfortable and reliable, so a flight to Bangkok - and anyone with a grain of world curiosity has to see this wacky city - followed by a bus/minibus to the beach of your choice is no hardship.
