THAILAND
LITERATURE
FACTS ABOUT
THAILAND!
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3 • Thailand is the only country in South-East Asia that has never
been colonized under European power.
• Thailand has the world’s longest reigning monarch in the world.
• All men used to become Buddhist monks.
• Bangkok is the hottest city in the world, based on average
temperature throughout the year.
• Thailand’s national flower is the orchid.
• Muay Thai is the national sport.
• Money currency is baht.
“
• Thai literature, body of
writings of the Thai
(Siamese) people,
historically fostered by the
kings, who themselves
often produced
outstanding literary
works.
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THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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• The earliest literature, that of the Sukhothai period (13th
to mid-14th century), survives chiefly in stone
inscriptions, which provide vivid accounts of
contemporary life. The most famous of these is the
Ramkhamhaeng inscription of 1292, in which King
Ramkhamhaeng records the economic abundance of his
kingdom and the benevolence of his rule.
THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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Classical literature, written in verse, back from the
Ayutthaya period (1351–1767). Includes,
• religion
• a tragic romance
• a historical work
THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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Much literature was lost in the sack of Ayutthaya by Hsinbyushin of
Myanmar (Burma) in 1767. After the restoration of Thai sovereignty,
and the establishment of a new capital at Bangkok, many law
codes, religious works, and literary texts were rewritten. These
include the Ramakian, a Thai version of the Indian Ramayana,
which was composed during the reign of Rama I (1782–1809); Khun
Chang Khun Phaen.
THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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Thai stories, often serialized in newspapers and magazines
before their publication in a book, had become more
popular. Most were romantic novels, typically involving a
poor boy–rich girl (or rich boy–poor girl) theme, in which
the plot was brought to a happy conclusion by a series of
improbable coincidences.
THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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The late 1920s heralded a golden decade in which a number of writers began
to address social issues (such as polygamy, prostitution, social inequality,
and social class) in a serious way. Works such as Lakhon haeng chiwit
(1929; The Circus of Life) by M.C. Akatdamkoeng Raphiphat, Songkhram
chiwit (1932; “The War of Life”) and Khang lang phap (1937; Behind the
Painting and Other Stories) by Siburapha (pen name of Kulap Saipradit), Ying
khon chua (1937; The Prostitute) by K. Surangkhanang (Kanha Khiengsiri),
and Phudi (1937; “The Gentry”) by Dokmai Sot (Buppha Kunchon), have
since come to be regarded as classics. Of these, the most famous is
Siburapha’s Behind the Painting, which by the turn of the 21st century had
been reprinted almost 40 times, translated into Chinese and Japanese, and
twice adapted for film.
THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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In the late 1940s many writers were influenced by Socialist Realism and for a
brief period produced novels and short stories highlighting social injustice.
Most were silenced or fell silent during the literary “dark age” of the 1950s
and 1960s when freedom of speech was severely curtailed; in the later years
only escapist fiction, called “stagnant water literature,” survived.
• Lao Khamhom (Khamsing Srinawk),
THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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By the late 1960s a new generation of writers was rediscovering
Socialist Realism, known as “Literature for Life” in Thailand, and
their work played a part in articulating the intellectual climate that
led to the overthrow of the military government in 1973; however,
such fiction, with its often simplistic treatment of issues, had little
broad appeal and soon disappeared, hastened by the vicious
military counter-revolution of 1976. This event caused many writers,
intellectuals, and students to flee to the jungles to join the
Communist Party of Thailand. But fears of a new “dark age” proved
unfounded when the coup leaders of 1976 were quickly replaced by
a more liberal faction.
THAILAND LITERATURE HISTORY
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The rapid economic and social changes that were beginning
to sweep through Thai society by the mid-1980s offered
writers new and challenging themes, while the introduction
of literary prizes, accolades, and constant media attention
also played a part in creating a vibrant literary scene. Of the
writers that emerged during this period,
• Chart Korbjitti (also spelled Chat Kobjitti)
• Kham phiphaksa (1982; The Judgment),
NOTABLE AUTHORS
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Seni Saowapong (1918 – 2014)
Sakchai Bamrungpong was a diplomat,
author and journalist who wrote under
the pen-name of Seni Saowapong. He
was named a National Artist for
literature in 1990. His most outstanding
novel is Pee-sard (The Ghost).
NOTABLE AUTHORS
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Rong Wongsawan (1932 – 2009)
Rong Wongsawan, a.k.a. the “great eagle” of
local literary circles, was honoured as a
National Artist in 1995. His versatile works
range from novels, short stories, essays,
articles for magazines and newspapers, and
documentaries to screenplays.
NOTABLE AUTHORS
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Srifa Ladawan (1930 - 2013)
ML Srifa Mahawan, better known by her pen name
“Srifa Ladawan”, was named a National Artist in
1996.The writer went by many pen names,
including “Chunlada Phakdiphumin” and “Seefa”,
using them to adorn more than 100 novels and
short stories, as well as intriguing documentaries
about the lives of noblemen in palaces.
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It was inevitable that Thai artists in the
age of technology would find new
subjects and forms expression in addition
to more foreign influences, the arts have
begun to move in different directions
which modern Thais can relate to. yet the
beauty of the old has not lost its ability to
inspire, and despite the inroads made by
modern culture, it continues to hold its
own and even to show signs of revival in
many areas.
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