With ever less time available for home cooking, modern Thailand elevates that survival impulse into an art. Snacking accompanies labour, punctuates boredom, makes arduous teamwork (fun) and typifies the Buddhist injunction to live in the moment. And the moment hunger strikes, food is at hand. Some vendors display pre-prepared dishes, such as vats of stewed pig leg or trays of curry. Others cook on the spot, whether it's boiled, stir fried, deep fried, marinated, or pounded with a pestle and mortar.