... Translation © Annira Silver Original book: Matti Sarmela, Kohtalon lait eivät katoa. Elämää Pohjois-Thaimaan kylissä. ... ...hor. However, the name of the author must always be clearly indicated. Matti Sarmela Layout Hemmo Vattulainen Helsink... ... Matti Sarmela LAWS OF DESTINY ... ..., but some have acquired carved teak plaques depicting national (Buddhist) themes and blending in with the style of the carved furniture. A similar ch... ...ether. At that time, it was possible to watch television in the city. Many restaurants and shops had a TV to tempt in customers, and electrical stores... ... Western Christmas time, Christmas trees with presents appear in shops and restaurants and international Christmas carols are played in department sto... ...ear, the festival began on 21 February and lasted for three days. The main theme of the shows was the history of the city's Emerald Buddha, with parti... ...ys of the villages, Krua Tan processions, and competitions with a heritage theme. On the third day, the proceedings were organized by local horse-draw... ...the 1980s with the advent of sex tourism. In the years of economic growth, restaurants, hotels and dance halls sprouted also in Lampang, and village m...

...ge Buddhism. The author draws surprising parallels between the worldviews of peoples of Thailand and Finland, the past and future of local cultures. Matti Sarmela started collecting material on Northern Thailand in 1972. Based on a longitudinal field study, he wrote his description of three villages in Lampang Province, and the changes in villagers' lives over three decad...