Poems from
Sakon Nakhon
P oems from Sakon Nakhon is a bilingual (English/Thai) collection of free verse poetry that vividly captures the essence of life in Sakon Nakhon, a province in northeastern Thailand. The poems explore a range of themes including nature, Buddhism, rural traditions, and the rhythm of daily life in the region.
It is the first bilingual book of Thai poetry in English written by a long term expat resident.
The book is available internationally in hardcover and paperback on Amazon. In Thailand, a collector's edition is available on Shopee with a handmade Indigo cloth cover fashioned by Sakon Nakhon textile artisans.
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 Poems from Sakon Nakhon offers a rare and insightful look at Thailand, blending personal experience with deep cultural reflection. It 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
