Dusk on the waterway
Ussiri Thammachot was born in Hua Hin in 1947. He studied mass communication at Chukalongkorn University and started writing. In 1981 he was the third Thai writer to win the SEA Write Award with the short story collection 'Khunthong, You will Return at Dawn' from which this story also originates. The story is about a diabolical and universal dilemma: choose the morally right path or give himself and his family a favor?
Western Writers in Bangkok: Joseph Conrad
Polish sailor Teodor Korzeniowski first visited Bangkok in January 1888 when he was an officer in the British Merchant Navy. He had been sent to the Siamese capital from Seaman's Lodge in Singapore to take command of the Otago, a rusty barque whose captain had died suddenly and most of the crew had been hospitalized with malaria.
Botan, a writer who stole my heart
I learned more about Thailand from this book than from ten information books. I recommend reading it to anyone interested in Thailand, says Tino Kuis about 'Letters from Thailand' by the Chinese/Thai writer Botan. A preview in this post.
Western writers in Bangkok – the Bangkok noir scene
On this blog I have regularly discussed Western writers of all stripes who, for one reason or another, have or had a connection with the Thai capital. Many of them have meanwhile, contrary to their work, given up and are resting on their - no doubt well-deserved - laurels in the Panthenon of the Great and Not So Great Authors.
Books in Bangkok
Those who read my pen fruits on this blog may have noticed a few times that I am a book lover pur sang.
'The Rich Woman' A short story by Kukrit Pramoj
'The rich woman' is a short story by Kukrit Pramoj from the short story collection 'A number of lives' (1954). MR Kukrit Pramoj (1911-1995) is one of the most famous Thai intellectuals. He was Prime Minister of Thailand in 1975-76, ran a newspaper (Sayǎam Rath), starred in the movie The Ugly American, and promoted the Thai dance called khǒon. But he is most famous for his writing.
The Thai National & Other Libraries
It all started in the seventh century BC with the thousands of clay tablets of King Ashurbanipal in Nineveh. A collection of texts that was systematically arranged and catalogued and it has continued in this way for twenty-eight centuries, albeit with trial and error. So the oldest library was that of good old Assurbanipal, the youngest newcomer is the internet.
McDang: Thai cooking with regal allure
Occasionally I write on this blog about literature and Thailand. Today I would like to take a moment to think about… cookbooks. For some, no literature at all, but in any case a genre that cannot be ignored because they form an important, still growing niche in the book market.
A 22-year-old Thai student in Japan falls passionately in love with a married 35-year-old aristocratic Thai woman. His love fades but her love for him remains, repressed but intact, until her death.
Discover Thailand (16): The Thai culture
Before we discuss Thai culture, it is good to define the concept of culture. Culture refers to the entire society in which people live. This includes the way people think, feel and act, as well as the traditions, values, norms, symbols and rituals they share. Culture can also refer to specific aspects of society such as art, literature, music, religion, and language.
The Beggars (short story)
Anchan (Anchalee Vivatanachai), the author of the short story The Beggars below, was born in 1952 in Thonburi. She wrote from a young age, especially short stories and poetry. She is especially praised for her special themes and innovative use of words.
'An old friend', a short story by Chart Korbjitti
'An Old Friend', a short story by the Thai writer Chart Korbjitti, describes a meeting with an old friend against the background of the events of October 6, 1976. Some find it impossible to let go of the past, others are more successful. Tino Kuis translated it for us.
Short story: Family in the middle of the road
This is one of the thirteen stories from the collection 'Khropkhrua Klaang Thanon', 'The family in the middle of the road' (1992, last year the 20th edition was published). It was written by Sila Khomchai, the pen name of Winai Boonchuay. The collection describes the life of the new middle class in Bangkok, their challenges and desires, their disappointments and dreams, their strengths and weaknesses, their selfishness and goodness.
'Breeding Animals' a short story by Khamsing Srinawk
Why did a father have to abandon his dying son to receive 200 baht? And why did a woman think that the Americans came to Thailand to breed? Sit back for a beautiful short story from 1958 about village life in Isaan, written movingly with caustic humor and harrowing images. A rare glimpse into the tough daily life of the Isan farmer.
Why did a father have to abandon his dying son to receive 200 baht? And why did a woman think that the Americans came to Thailand to breed? Sit back for these beautiful short stories from 1958 about village life in Isaan, written movingly with caustic humor and poignant imagery. A rare glimpse into the hard daily life of the Isan farmer.
Tip: April-May book market with great discounts
Dear (book) readers, there is good news for the bookworms among us. There is currently a digital book market going on in Thailand. Who knows, there is also a nice book for you with a nice discount.
The Bookworm, an interview with Trasvin Jittidecharak
Trasvin Jittidecharak is the publisher and owner of Silkworm Press, a long-established and respected publishing house in Chiang Mai. Her mother founded the Suriwong Book Center there, Chiang Mai's first and largest bookstore. Silkworn has published more than 500 books in the past thirty years. Trasvin also founded the Mekong Press Foundation which, funded by the Rochefeller Foundation, publishes books on cross-border topics and supports local writers and translators.
The Shelf, a short story by Khamsing Srinawk
Do sacred objects influence the course of natural events? This short story by Khamsing Srinawk provides the answer.
'Four Kings' by Kukrit Pramoj is perhaps the most famous novel in Thailand. Almost everyone has heard about it, many read the book or watched the beautiful film series about Mae Phloi's life.
A new story from Khamsing
This short story by Khamsing Srinawk is from 1958, a few years after contested elections and a coup d'état in 1957. It captures the political chaos of that time well.