Some ancient texts
The first important text in Thai literature is The Stele of King Rama the Strong. Dating from 1292, this 1.11 m stele relates the king's filiation and his feats of arms.
In the 15th century, Angkor was taken over by the Siamese, allowing an Angkorian influence in the monasteries, where monks commented on Buddhist texts and translated them into Siamese. The 18th century corresponds to the beginning of modernity, with the appearance of the press and the vogue for chronicles. The most illustrious literary work is undoubtedly the poem composed by Sunthorn Phu. This long song of 30,000 verses tells the story of a prince in exile completing an odyssey. It should be noted that in Thailand, Sunthorn Phu is so well known that a museum is dedicated to him in Bangkok. And above all, since 1986, UNESCO has established an annual day, 26 June, to celebrate his birth. It is also thanks to UNESCO's initiative that his works are translated. Another major work of Thai literature is Thao Cheuang. This epic poem exhaustively tells the story of Thai civilization.Contemporary period
Even if literature is taking off and only becomes a major art form in the 20th century, it must be kept in mind that orality is still privileged in certain spheres. However, a few names are worth remembering. Kukrit Pramoj (1911-1955), Prime Minister in 1975 and 1976, is one of the country's greatest intellectuals. We owe him Four Kingdoms in which he evokes life at the royal court, but also Red Bamboo which deals with the conflict between Buddhism and politics before communism. One of the best-known and most translated authors is Saneh Sangsuk, born in 1957. He has published several books, such as L'Ombre blanche (2001), Venin (2001), Une histoire vieille comme la pluie (2004) and Seule sous un ciel dément (2014). In 2008, the writer was awarded the medal of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture. Another author translated into French is Chart Korbjitti, born in 1954. His first novel The Fall of Fak (Kampipâkskâ) published in 1981 has particularly marked the literary history of the country. He was named "Book of the Year" by the Thai Council for Literature, and even received the South East Asia Write Awart award. Chart Korbjitti tells the story of Fak, a young village school caretaker, whose life is turned upside down when he is accused of having a relationship with his father's widow. He then sinks into alcohol and suffering. Behind this portrait, while contemplating, hides in filigree the intolerance of the peasant society and consumerism. In 2004, the novel was adapted for the cinema with the new title Ai-Fak. Chart Korbjitti has also published Une Histoire ordinaire (1992), Sonne l'heure (1994) and Chiens fous (2001). This novel is about a gang of young people at the end of the 1970s who are trying to find their place in society while enjoying a hedonistic life. As for recent publications, readers will enjoy Café Lovely (2009) by Rattawut Lapcharoensap, born in 1979 and raised between the United States and Bangkok. This collection of short stories, full of emotion, has been very well received by the public. Let us also think of S.P. Somtow who, in Galant de nuit, published by in 2018, tells the story of his childhood in Thailand. Born in 1952 in Bangkok, this author is also a director and composer of classical music. In 1979, he received the Astounding Prize for Best New Writer. In 2002, he was awarded the World Fantasy Prize for Best Short Novel for The Bird Catcher.
The black novels of Bangkok
Bangkok is an inspiration to black novelists. It must be said that the city has a very special atmosphere: from the dull heat to the thousand and one scents, from the tangle of cars to the incessant noise, through the bustle of the nightlife and all its somewhat glaucous facets... This is a perfect setting for a thrilling story, a real detective story! A Hong Kong publishing house, Crime Wave Press, specialises in publishing crime novels in English. The Bangkok series, written by author John Burdett, is a real bestseller around the world. John Burdett, British born in 1951, trained as a lawyer who lived for several years in Hong Kong, now lives part of the year in Bangkok and part of the year in France. His series recounts the adventures of police inspector Sonchai Jitpleecheep, who also wants to be a philosopher in his spare time. To be as close as possible to reality, the author investigated one of the hottest districts of the city: Soi Cowboy (where scenes from the film Very Bad Trip were shot). John Burdett thus depicts the nightlife, the gogo-bars, the brothels, the gap between Buddhism and the sex trade. He neither criticizes nor apologizes for it, but rather offers a more than realistic and striking immersion, which gives his work all the depth it deserves. For the record, Sonchai Jitpleecheep is himself the son of a peripatetician and an American soldier during the Vietnam War. Lovers of detective novels will have great pleasure in immersing themselves in the world of this singular author, who brushes the underside of a city as much as the benefits of Buddhist meditation. Not to be missed: Bangkok 8 (2003), Bangkok Tattoo (2005), Bangkok Psycho (2009), The Godfather of Kathmandu (2011) and the no less amazing Joker (2016)..
World Book Capital
In 2013, Bangkok has been designated World Book Capital by UNESCO. The current government strongly encourages children's literature. It has put in place an ambitious cultural education programme. French literature is not forgotten in Thailand since some classics are translated into the local language, such as Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Francophile publishing houses, such as Khao Fang, make this possible.
