Behind the adventure

An original fictional adventure set among Bangkok’s canals and temples. Mali, Chai, the canal-side hall, the smaller temple and the route are invented. The original dragon hand puppet is not a sacred object or a named traditional Thai character. Talking Tony is a series convention.

Wat Arun is a real Buddhist temple beside the Chao Phraya River on Bangkok’s Thonburi bank. Its characteristic central tower is a prang. Bangkok’s canal neighbourhoods and waterside arts inspired the setting; temple architecture is simplified in the drawings. The hand-puppet scenes do not reconstruct traditional puppetry at the real Artist’s House. Dialogue is presented in English for readers. Wat Arun: Tourism Authority of Thailand.