อ่านภาษาไทยที่นี่ (Click here to read a Thai version.)
The second-floor murals inside Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon stupa at Wat Nong Wang temple show kalam (คะลำ), an Isan word meaning “things people should not do.” Many of these social rules are about showing proper respect to those with higher status than you, but others cover safety, manners, etc. Even traditions that the modern age has made obsolete, such as #27 (because most houses now have electric lights), are still followed by some people. But as me-first attitudes arise in Thailand, many people no longer respect these rules. Thirty-two kalam were painted here so the next generation can learn them and the current generation doesn’t forget where it came from.
Thanks to the artist Kru Thammarong Kaewboran for his help explaining them.
![Buddhist temple mural painting of woman stepping over a rope securing a buffalo.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam1-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people relaxing next to their home.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam2-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people in their home.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam3-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of a monk at somebody's home.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam4-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of monk peeing on a tree.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam5-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people walking.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam6-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people sitting around a fire.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam7-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of woman walking past a man and her dress brushes him.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam8-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of woman preparing silk thread.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam9-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people outside their home.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam10-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of family outside their home.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam11-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people sitting in front of a monk.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam12-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people sitting and chatting.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam13-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of grandma and grandchildren.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam14-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of man holding a sword in bed.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam15-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people carrying and drinking water.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam16-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of family eating at home.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam17-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of children eating.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam18-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people eating.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam19-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of woman tying a mut mee silk pattern.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam20-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of woman thinking about her husband.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam21-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of children playing with fire.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam22-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of man throwing a basket on the floor of his house.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam23-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of cows at a temple.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam24-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of man pointing a gun at a person.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam25-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of people in a village.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam26-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of man sharpening a knife.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam27-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of woman sweeping the floor.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam28-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of man carrying wood.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam29-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of working in a rice field.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam30-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of workers in a rice field and a lightning strike.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam31-wat-nong-wang.jpg)
![Buddhist temple mural painting of women working at home in a village.](https://www.timsthailand.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/kalam32-wat-nong-wang.jpg)