Andrew Biggs (I always think of him as the Dave Spector of Thailand although that's far from being accurate) wrote a couple of great columns over at the Bangkok Times:
RAMKHAMHAENG SECRETS (PART ONE)
The first farang student at the world's largest semi-open university discovers the intricacies of trying to master the Thai language
You posting these articles was like a message from the universe planting the seed in my head.
Last week I was ridiculing my mother for doing the same thing at the LA Thai Temple (except that Phra Khao likes 100 eggs)
But cosmic forces aligned yesterday and I found MYSELF prostrate before the green smiling Buddha doing a bon barn. The second in my whole life! I have this fear that it's like the Monkey's Paw though... you have to ask carefully and unselfishly! Cross your fingers!