Cards

In December 1837 Rama III ordered a straight water road east – Siam was fighting Vietnam over Cambodia, and troops, cannon and rice had to reach the front without going round by sea.

At the ends of Thai temple roofs sit slender, curving finials – chofa, “sky tassels.”

The green giant of Wat Arun was not always so calm and harmless. He once leveled a whole Bangkok district.

Generosity and kindness given freely. A heart that creates abundance.

Guardian of rivers, gatekeeper of temples. A divine serpent that lives beneath the Mekong.

Where the day’s eye comes out. The Thai word for east.

Coconut-galangal soup, Tom Yum’s gentle sister. Half dinner, half medicine.

A demon at the door, there to keep demons out.

ฐ. A Thai letter whose name is a cousin of Uzbekistan and the United States.

Not politeness, something deeper. The reluctance to impose on another person.