Soldiers in the armies of the kings of Ayutthaya would not go into battle without them. Mr Kob explains that it is not enough to learn how to inscribe the intricate designs on people's bodies. There are mystical forces you must absorb to make a potent Sak Yant.
A highlight of any visit to Ayutthaya should be a ride on an elephant. At the height of its power the kings of Ayutthaya kept thousands of them; they were the domesticated beasts of burden, used for heavy lifting, but also for war. Elephants were trained to charge into battle and to attack the opposing armies.
Those roles have been lost in the modern age, but the last remaining stable, or kraal as it's known in Thailand, is still being run in Ayutthaya to give working elephants a home, and a role.
This is where they train the elephants, and their mahouts, or drivers, to carry tourists. They also breed them. The baby elephants are delightful, wandering around the kraal, playfully wrapping their trunks around anything that interests them.
The kraal allows visitors to stay and help look after the elephants - but watch out. Even a two-month-old baby is heavy enough to sneak up and knock you over. This correspondent found himself toppling into the dust on several occasions.