Thomas brought an unusually broad knowledge of life into his judicial career commencing his education at a public school and being a former builder's labourer.
[5] In 2007 the Queensland DPP reportedly relied upon his Criminal Law expertise in seeking his advice before making a decision regarding evidence in the Chris Hurley case.
[3][7] Thomas wrote Judicial Ethics in Australia in 1988; a 2nd edition was published in 1997 by the Law Book Company.
Thomas also wrote Curious Connections - Master Musicians and the Law, a study on the historical links between two seemingly disconnected professions.
[8] Thomas published a memoir in 2011 entitled An Almost Forgotten World (Supreme Court of Queensland Library 2011).