Ajarn David's
Thai Way Series
E xplore the spirit of Thailand in the Thai Way Series: Essays, Poetry & Wisdom — an illuminating collection by Ajarn David that celebrates the kindness, harmony, and quiet depth of Thai culture. Available internationally in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.
The series is composed of 3 books: Why Thailand (Short Essays on Thai Culture, Language, and Life), Poems from Sakon Nakhon (Thai Poetry in English), and Life Lessons from Isaan, Thailand — the latter two books written and published in bilingual (English/Thai) editions.
Visit our new bar/restaurant Ysaan Garden Bar, decorated with original art work by Ajarn David, and with all of our books on sale. Ajarn David is frequently on the premises, so if you would like to meet the author or buy a signed copy of Why Thailand, Poems from Sakon Nakhon, or Life Lessons from Isaan please drop by. We are located about 10 minutes Northwest of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University.
The Author
A jarn David has been an English lecturer at Thai universities for over 20 years. He has co-authored two books on learning the Thai language and has written extensively on Thai culture.
Prior to arriving in Thailand, David attended graduate school in North Carolina, where his first two books of poetry were published. He then traveled Europe and became a lecturer at the University of West Bohemia in the Czech Republic. He currently is a faculty member of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University.
Free Verse
"By abandoning the constraints of rhyme and Thai tonal patterns, Ajarn David's poems flow like everyday speech, creating an immediacy and intimacy that makes them accessible to readers of all backgrounds."
Book Review
"Ajarn David’s work does not attempt to speak for Thailand, but instead offers a bridge (a cultural exchange), inviting readers to experience its landscapes, traditions, and values through his perspective."
Learn Poetry
"The themes of Poems from Sakon Nakhon — nature, rural life, love, and spirituality — are deeply rooted in Thai culture, providing an immediate sense of familiarity to English students in Thailand."
Thai Culture
"Whether you’re a traveler yearning to deepen your understanding of Thailand, an expat seeking connection to its culture, or simply a curious reader, "Poems from Sakon Nakhon" offers a journey that enriches the self."
Buddhist Poems
"Ajarn David’s Thai poems are a simple yet elegant entry in the tradition of Buddhist poetry, offering a contemporary perspective deeply rooted in the philosophy and practices of Theravāda Buddhism."
Learn Thai
"Poems from Sakon Nakhon is as much a cultural resource as it is a "Learn Thai" language tool. By engaging with the poems, learners gain insights into Thai customs, values, and perspectives."
Minimalism in Asian Poetry
"Poems from Sakon Nakhon invites comparison with iconic Asian poetic forms like the Japanese haiku, the Chinese jueju, and the Korean sijo, traditions that prize brevity and clarity to evoke profound insight."
Traditional Thai Poetry
"While rooted in the landscapes and ethos of Isaan, Poems from Sakon Nakhon invites comparison with Thailand’s rich poetic heritage — particularly the contributions of luminaries like Sunthorn Phu and Angkarn Kalayanapong."
Thai Poems Beyond the Self
Ajarn David sheds the navel-gazing “I” of Western poetry, limiting his use to five understated instances among 91 poems. This departure — rooted in Buddhist non-self and Thai universality — creates a refreshing, outward-looking voice.
"Ajarn David’s essays and poetry offer a rare and insightful look at Thailand, blending personal experience with deep cultural reflection. His work is both accessible and thoughtful, making it a valuable contribution to the understanding of Isaan life, spirituality, and the Thai worldview."
Thai Poetry in English
