What we should be reading

Pride mingled with nervousness yesterday afternoon as five Thai writers gathered at the Dusit Thani Hall of Dusit Thani Hotel to receive royal shields of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in recognition of their victory at the 15th Seven Book Awards.

“I’m delighted that these Seven Book Awards have been so well received by both authors and the reading public that we are now in our 15th year,” says Suwit Kingkaew, senior vice president of CP All.

“This recognition aims to encourage good reading and writing habits and take our country another step forward on the road to the development of the country. It is consistent with our policy of promoting education and developing young people.”

 

Nirunsak Boonchan, Prof Dr Ruenruthai Sujjapun, Niwat Tarapan, Naowarat Pongpaiboon, Assoc Prof Supannee Varatorn, and Prof Keerati Boonjua, the judges for the 15th Seven Book Awards.

 

These winners, who also receive Bt100,000 in cash, are Pornchai Saenyamoon, aka Good G, for his poetry collection “Jai Pajjuban”; Prachakom Lunachai for his novel “Nai Kupdak Lae Klang Wonglom”; Kajchakul Kaewkate for his cartoon “The Things Behind That Door: Thuk Yang Muean Pueng Kerd Khuen Muea Wan”; Khunkhao Sinthusen Khejornbutr for the young-adult fiction “Assawin Utu Kap Pisaj Thang 8”, and Green World Foundation chairperson Saranarat Kanjanavanit for her documentarystyle book “City Sight – Muang Thi Mong Mai Hen”.

“Most of the poetry submitted for the awards had strong content and a good writing style, clearly demonstrating the development of the author’s thoughts. Every year, we see good poems and books. What we lack is quality literature and readers,” says well-known poet Naowarat Pongpai boon, judge of the poetry category, which saw Khongrak Khampairoj’s “Nai Ta Rudo Kaln” and Long Jongrawee’s “Suan Duangjai” come in second and third place.

 

"Jai Pajjuban"

 

“It is a very important stage to encourage and develop writers of all literary genres as well as publishers and readers. These three novels are outstanding with their different types of writing styles. When we talk about deep-sea fishing, the name Prachakom Lunachai always springs to mind. Like his previous books ‘Fang Sangchan’, ‘Khon Kham Fun’, ‘Klang Thalay Luek’ and ‘Thiew Ruea Sudthai’, ‘Nai Kupdak Lae Klang Wonglom’ also tells the story of men going deep-sea fishing but it is very different from his other works because the main characters are disabled and have no fishing experience. The story reveals how these disabled people struggle to live by fishing and how they steer their boat through the many obstacles they face. Their success doesn’t depend on their boat or their equipment but on their ability, skills, experience, and knowledge. This novel is a fun read about a depressing subject,” says Prof Dr Ruenruthai Sujja pun, a judge in the novel category.

 

"Nai Kupdak Lae Klang Wonglom"

 

Dr Ruenruthai was also impressed by the works of the first and second runnersup. The main character in “Nee Khue Sing Samkan”, which dwells on capitalism and consumerism, tries to rebel against both but learns how to live with them in his own way. “Khon Nai Nithan”, meanwhile, is based on local wisdom, thought and folk culture and offers a look at community and original agriculture.

“‘The Things Behind That Door’ is about a girl who finds a secret door and discovers many monsters behind it. After passing through the door, however, she realises that friendship doesn’t always come with a beautiful face. And when she grows up, she finds that no matter how good or bad society is, there is one person still standing beside her,” comments Niwat Tarapan, the judge of the comic book (cartoon) category.

 

“Assawin Utu Kap Pisaj Thang 8”

 

The runnersup in this segment are Sirin’s “Phi Tesakan” and “Phra Chao 500 Charti” by Om Rajawet, Manas Hasadam, Karin Hukkhunthod, Romrat Rajawet, Pornthep Chookul and Krij.

“‘Phi Tesakan’ is beautifully done in terms of the line drawing and in the way several ghost-related festivals are presented. ‘Phra Chao 500 Charti’, meanwhile, is about the past lives of the Buddha such as Brahma, Dhevada, and a lion who used his morals and intelligence to solve several problems. Again it is beautifully drawn in traditional Thai style.”

Nirunsak Boonchan, one of the judges responsible for the short story category, is pleased to see new and professional writers emerging in a world where print media is all but disappearing. He is also grateful that the Seven Book Awards offer a stage for writers to show their work. Nineteen short stories were submitted this year but none was felt to be appropriate for the winning prize. Nirunsak therefore named Pongwut Sujichakorn’s “Luemta Tuen Aik Khrang …  Nai Wela Un Somkuan” and Pakarang’s “Dekchai Thi Plom Tua Pen Nangsue Dokmai Lae Uen” as the first and sec¬ond runnersup.

 

“The Things Behind That Door: Thuk Yang Muean Pueng Kerd Khuen Muea Wan”

 

“The former is penned by a new generation writer who has a talent for interpreting social problems. He shows off his individual writing style by satirising society. The latter work has eight short stories, each based on a different boy. I like it because it brings to the fore the sentiments of kids that adults should acknowledge and under¬stand,” explains Nirunsak.

Assoc Prof Supannee Varatorn selected “Assawin Utu Kap Pisaj Thang 8” by Khunkhao Sinthusen Khejorn butr as the best youngadult fiction, and Ngamphan Vejjachiwa’s “Loke Khong Mod Dang Kap Tangkwa (Aoey Duay)” and Choti Srisuwan’s “Bueng Nam Haeng” as the runnersup.

“‘Assawin Utu Kap Pisaj Thang 8’ is like a fairytale portraying the eight bad habits of man that are transformed into eight monsters and observed by an assawin [warrior]. Anger is depict¬ed as a monster with red eyes, hatred as a monster with black eyes, and fear as a  monster with white eyes. Finally, the warrior can win over all eight mon¬sters with consciousness and concen¬tration.

 

“City Sight – Muang Thi Mong Mai Hen”

 

“‘Loke Khong Mod Dang Kap Tangkwa (Aoey Duay)” is a reflection on society in the era of technology. The author is telling us that people who are fascinated by technology tend to be far away from nature. We should live together with technology and nature. ‘Bueng Nam Haeng’ is about several species of animals, led by the common teal. It teaches us more about nature and animals and is also entertaining.”

Prof Keerati Boonjua is happy to talk about the winning documentary book and the first runnerup – New Klom’s “Himalai Mai Mee Jing”, which share a similar theme. He chose Sujane Kaprit’s “2310 Aowasan Krung Sri” as the second runnerup.

“‘City Sight’ is based on the author’s thoughts and analysis of nature. Mankind is the greatest enemy of nature, as nature never dies. If we destroy nature, it will pay us back with several natural disasters. The book is about the environment in the city that balances life and nature and while instructive, it is also easy to read. In ‘Himalai’, the author argues against the common perception that climbers attempt to reach the top of the Himalayan range to conquer nature. He suggests that we should go there in order to study and understand nature, then build harmony with nature. Men should be a part of nature, not its enemy.”