'Endless' poetry lands Angkan SEA Write Award

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra made the announcement at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok hotel yesterday. Angkan, a 39-year-old writer for Mars magazine, was named the winner from an original list of 101 Thai contenders that was whittled down to a short list of seven. 

He addresses topics ranging from minority groups and political conflict to online games. 

“I’m always interested in people who have to cross boundaries,” he was quoted as saying. 

“It’s great to be honoured by the SEA Write Awards,” Angkan told The Nation in a telephone interview shortly after the announcement. “From 101 pieces down to the last seven on the short list, I thought I could be the winner. I did it,” he said.

The SEA Write Awards, or Southeast Asian Writers Awards, have been presented annually since 1979 to poets and writers in the region. The awards are given to a poet or writer from each of the countries that comprise the Asean, though not all countries in Asean have been represented every year. This year’s SEA Write Awards was Angkan’s second chance in the prestigious competition, after a previous collection of poetry, “Thi Thi Rao Yoo”, made it to the 2007 short-list. 

“Hua Jai Hong Thi Hah” deals with a number of issues to portray the big picture of what is happening in the world, straddling war, beliefs, conflicts, violence, ways of life, ethics and the environment – old and new. 

Sathaporn Srisajjang, national artist and a member of the judging committee, has read Angkan’s poetry for years and is impressed with his latest work. 

“His work is very unique. It reflects the voice of the contemporary world. Though the story is about the bad side of life, it is also filled with hope.

Assoc Prof Dr Trisilpa Boonkhachorn, president of the judging committee, was similarly impressed by Angkan’s work.

“There are so many people writing stories about our roots, but Angkan’s presentation is very interesting.” Angkan’s signature is the “endless” poem, leaving the finishing part to the readers. 

“There is no such thing as an end, as the phenomenal keeps on going. I write the poem, an endless poem, and leave the endless part to the readers to finish by themselves,” he said. 

The SEA Write Award presentation will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on October 14. The Irish poet and author, Edna O’Brien, will be a key speaker.