In remembrance of the Dream Weaver
Praphassorn Sevikul was no ordinary novelist. He was a National Artist, a fine diplomat, a warm and loving husband, a good and caring father - this much is what was known of him before his sudden passing on Friday morning. But he was also a whole lot more
I first met Praphassorn in the summer of 1990. I had summoned him to my office at Saranrom Palace to discuss his English examination paper for a C-6 promotion (first secretary). The topic was simple: “Why do you want to be an ambassador?”
He wrote only one sentence, and it was in Thai: “I could only dream”. Sitting in front of me at my desk, he began to shake like a leaf. Praphassorn must have thought I was insulted. I was not – I was curious. By then his literary reputation was already established. One of his novels, “Underneath the Dragon’s Stripes”, had been adapted as a popular TV series.
“Why?” I asked. “Don’t you want to be an ambassador?”
“Yes, I do. But if I told you in English, I know I wouldn’t get to become one.”
“So your English is weak – that’s why you could only dream?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me your dream in Thai, then,” I told him.
The session lasted about an hour. I don’t remember every detail of that encounter. But I remember his idea for “populist diplomacy”, which was later adopted and then crystallised as the new Consular Affairs Department during my time as deputy permanent secretary for Administration and Economic Affairs.
“Okay, Mr Dream Weaver, I give you an ‘A’ for telling me your dream,” I said. He was stunned.
The last time I saw him was in 1993, when he came to say goodbye in my office after being assigned to a post in New Zealand. I still remember what I told him that day.
“I think you have made our ministry look good,” I emphasised. “Like your novel ‘Power’, you take it directly to the readers so they understand exactly how diplomacy works.”
The general appreciation for his contribution to society was too low at the time.
But never mind that, Khun Praphassorn. I remember the Dream Weaver. Always have and always will.
Prachyadavi Tavedikul
