By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

STOCKTON -- Emblems of Vipawan Thangsuwan's homeland adorn the purple walls of Jasmine Asian Cafe, located in downtown Stockton. There's a flag with red, white and blue stripes, a picture of the king of Thailand, and artwork featuring elephants, which are believed to represent good luck.

And as a testament to the restaurant's western Kansas surroundings, country music plays softly in the background.

This cultural fusion is part of everyday life for the cafe's owner, who goes by "Pook" so it will be easier for customers to remember her name. "It's more the people, I think," Pook said when asked if she misses her native country.

But of all the artwork and souvenirs, likely the most dear to her heart are the photos of her two kids, and the artwork made by a child's hand.

It's partly because of her children that she's made Stockton her home and started the new venture of restaurant ownership. The relatively flexible schedule allows her to dedicate energy to her other job -- motherhood. "I do like to cook," she said with a smile. "I kind of wanted to do something that I could be my own boss."

Pook left Thailand more than a decade ago to attend school at Fort Hays State University. She graduated with a degree in instructional technology, but "I probably am not going to use it," Pook said with a laugh. After moving to the Seattle area for a few years, she moved her family back to Kansas. Her aunt, Malee Berkley, has lived in Stockton for many years.

Pook began cooking more during college and has enjoyed exposing northwest Kansas residents and travelers to a taste of her homeland. The challenge, however, is getting them to try something new, she said. "I hope everyone will try something, open their mind and really try something new," Pook said.

Her cafe offers a blend of Asian cuisine, with staples like chicken fried rice and some of Thailand's most well-known dishes -- Thai curry and pad Thai. "Thai food is a combination of kind of sweet and sour, and spicy and salty," she said. "Yeah, I think that kind of makes it unique, the taste of it."

She and her children travel home to Bangkok as often as they can, and Pook is making efforts to expose her young children to both cultures. The family speaks both English and Thai.

There was a bit of a culture shock to overcome. Bangkok is home to millions, while Stockton has a population of less than 1,500. But the small-town family focus reminds her of home, she said. Family, after all, is central in Pook's life. Even the name of her restaurant has a special meaning. "Jasmine, in Thailand, is like a flower for Mother's Day," she said. "My mom is kind of a hero for me, so it's kind of a hidden meaning that I'm thinking about her."