Umali, Louie Jay A_CE_3309_Final Project

ASEAN LITERATURE TEN LITERARY WORKS COUNTRIES SHAPE AWARENESS AND VIEWPOINTS ONE VISSION 0NE IDENTITY FIND COMMONALITY ONE COMMUNITY IN DIVERSITY EMBRACE ASEAN IDENTITY

ThailaWnitdhin The Land of the Free 'AMAZING THAILAND: IT BEGINS WITH THE PEOPLE'

Contents Background Politics Language Literature

Background In the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Laos and Cambodia in the east; its Gulf and Malaysia in the south; the Andaman Sea and Myanmar in the west; and Laos and Myanmar in the north, here is Thailand - the Land of the Free. Kingdom of Thailand has 76 provinces and two special local territories- Bangkok and Pattaya. It has a 513,120 sq km land area with a 66.6 million population headed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. Thailand is home to Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. It is also known for its fascinating history, unique culture, and delectable local food. Golden Triangle, Thailand 3

P Prayut Chan-o-cha Prime Minister O Ahereditary monarch serves as Thailand's head L of state. The powers of the king are limited by the constitution and he is primarily a symbolic figurehead. I However, the monarch still occasionally intervenes in Thai politics, as all constitutions pave the way for customary royal rulings. The monarchy is protected by T the severe lèse majesté law, even though the people's attitude towards the institution varies from one reign I to another. The lèse-majesté law is part of Thailand’s Criminal C Code. It gives protection to the rights or reputations of the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent in a similar way libel law does for commoners. It is not S aimed at curbing people’s rights to freedom of expression nor the legitimate exercise of academic 4 freedom including debates about the monarchy as an institution. The law is also put in place to protect the institution as its noblesse oblige prevents it from seeking legal redress against its subjects for defamatory remarks. Nevertheless, Thailand’s lèse- majesté law, like any law in every legal system of the world, is open to the process of accommodating itself to the ever-changing social conditions.

ภาษาLanguage The official language of Thailand is Thai, a Kra–Dai language closely related to Lao, Shan in Myanmar, and numerous smaller languages spoken in an arc from Hainan and Yunnan south to the Chinese border. It is the principal language of education and government and spoken throughout the country. Its standard is based on the dialect of the central Thai people, and it is written in the Thai alphabet, an abugida script that evolved from the Khmer alphabet. Wherein sixty- two languages were recognised by the Royal Thai Government. Phuket, Thailand 5

THAILAND'S LITERATURE T hai literature has a long history. Even before the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom, there are existing oral and written works. Generally, Thai literature is divided into four different periods: 1. Sukhothai Period (circa 1238- 1377) 2. Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767) 3. Thon Buri Period (1767-1782) 4. Rattanakosin Period (1782- present) During the Sukhothai Kingdom, most literary works were written in simple prose with certain alliteration schemes. Major works include King Sukhothai, Thailand Ram Khamhaeng Inscription describing life at the time, which is considered the first literary work in Thai script, but some historians questioned its authenticity. Traiphummikatha or commonly known as Trai Phum Phra Ruang was written in 1345 by King Lithai, the fifth king of Sukhothai. It expounds Buddhist philosophy based on a profound and extensive study with reference to over 30 sacred texts. The work could be considered the nation’s first piece of a research dissertation. It was written in beautiful prose rich in allusions and imagery. It is a treatise on Buddhist cosmology, ethics, biology, and belief system. 6

ฉันรักประเทศไทยDuring the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Despite the short period of 15 years, new poetic forms were created, with Thon Buri Period produced Ramakian, different rhyme schemes and meters. a verse drama contributed by King It is common to find a combination of Taksin the Great contributed his poetic different poetic forms in one poetic talent. The revival of literature at this work, resulting in lilit (a combination time is remarkable since the country of rai and khlong), kap ho khlong, kap had not quite recovered from the he ruea (a combination of kap and aftermath of war. khlong), klon konlabot and phleng yao. Besides, the title name of poetry During the 18th century Rattanakosin could describe the nature of its Period, which still fought with the contents. Burmese, many of the early Rattanakosin works deal with war and Major works in this period include Lilit military strategy. Some examples are Yuan Phai which is a narrative poem Nirat Rop Phama Thi Tha Din Daeng, describing the war between King Phleng Yao Rop Phama Thi Nakhon Si Borommatrailokkanat of Ayutthaya Thammarat, Sam Kok, and and Prince Tilokkarat of Chiang Mai, Rachathirat. Moreover In the Lilit Phra Lo which is a story of love performing arts, perhaps the most and passion that ends with the important dramatic achievement is deaths of the young lovers, Chinda the complete work of Ramakian by Mani which is the first textbook of King Rama I lessons on the Thai language and literature, and Kap He Ruea Literature has been closely composed by Prince Thammathibet associated with Thai life. In the comparing the scenic beauty to that earlier times, it was often recited at of his beloved lady on a boat journey ceremonies and on other traditional in the nirat tradition. occasions. 7

VS Gallery Bangkok, Thailand Uten Mahamid Thai Writer / Poet Uten Mahamid is the author Three Line of thirteen collections of free- Poem verse poetry, several of them published as handmade books, Written by: Uten Mahamid including one that was shortlisted for the S.E.A Write Translated by: Mui Poopoksakul Award. He has also penned collections of short stories and a I n one remote area, children’s book. One key mode of his poetry is telling stories murdering one’s own cat through single images. He writes a lot of Thai haiku, which are popular amongst young Thai is the most magical thing writers. Compared to Japanese haiku, it has no real strictures This Thai haiku talks about rural life. beyond the number of lines A gloomy and dull place to dwell in that is far from urban. This further 8 demonstrates the citizens' ennui. In the poem, the author expresses boredom and monotony wherein \"murdering one's cat is the most magical thing\" means destroying your pleasure is the only pleasure. Moreover, the word \"magical\" indicates something that exists outside the normal reality.

ASEAN Economic Flags Summary Collection of Thai Century Literature In the project ASEAN 20th Century The short stories are Champoon by Dhep Literatures, the Office of Mahapaoraya Contemporary Art and Culture Maum by Kukrit Pramoj The Barbs by Phaitoon Thanya. implements this project to promote understanding of Thai Culture and The poems are: the way of life among foreign readers. What is such forging? By Ujjeni Only 9 literary pieces are selected by A Poet’s Pledge 1&2 by Angkram the appointed Committee for their Kalayanapong appeal, literary value, and reflection E-san by Nia Pee on Thai literature development. All of Mere Movement by Naowarat them show the Thai way of life, Pongpaiboon society, and culture. Last but not the Smile of the Rice Goddess by least, they inspire imagination and Chirana Pitpreecha creativity. Arrival of Nirvana at Egg-Noodle Shop by Montri Sriyong Three short stories and six poems are translated into English. 9

ShortCHAMPOON Stories จ ําปูน by Dhep Mahapaoraya Champoon is a novella portraying Thai society prior to 1942 when women were mostly deprived of their rights and freedom. Their marriage needed to be approved by their parents. In this novella, the heroine, Champoon, has a forbidden love with a non-local man. Having him as her one and only love leads Champoon to her doom. The novella not only reveals Champoon’s strong determination and extreme sense of human dignity, but also reflects the background and atmosphere along with the way of life in the south of Thailand during that time. MAUM มอม by Kukrit Pramoj Maum reveals the hardship of life in Bangkok during World War II (1942 – 1945). Families fell apart – separation and poverty were commonplace. Men became soldiers. Women and children were killed by bombs. The author narrates the story through the eyes of a dog named “Maum”, turning a series of unfortunate events into something lively and hopeful. Maum was very loyal to his master. With this kind of loyalty, the dog prevented his master from turning into a thief. The author seems to speak from the dog’s heart, and this short story reflects how much Thai people love their dogs. 10

Floating market Bangkok, Thailand THE BARBS ปลําตะเพียน by Phaitoon Thanya The Barbs is a short story reflecting the spirit and way of living of Thai rural people in agricultural society, which is based on friendship. Old people are full of tender loving care. However, materialism and technological advancement create an industrial society in which friendship and compassion are in doubt. An old lady’s consideration is then not welcomed by a new mother who knows little about raising a newborn baby. It takes time for her to understand the old lady’s true intention. The author clearly shows the changing portrayal of Thai society, using the pleated barbs as the symbol of rural compassion. 11

Poems WHAT IS E-SAN SUCH อีศาน FORGING? This poem by Nai Pee vividly เราชุบด้วยใด portrays the drought of E-san, or the northeast, duringpre-1950s in This poem written by Ujjeni a realistic way possible. The poet inspires people to get up and fight employs various figures of various obstacles in life. It raises the speech to successfully create feeling of pride for being human. rich emotions enabling the Thai Filled with figures of speech showing people to realise how barren E- vivid pictures and profound san was at that time. Having emotions, it is a classic poem represented the poet’s appeal to inspiring people especially the the world and humankind, this young generations of each era. The poem is another piece of the Thai poem gives moral support for every classics. The author was a poet, a occasion, be it the political struggle prosecutor and a political activist. of the mass citizens or the grievance of an individual. 12

The two poems written by Angkarn Kalayanapong A Poet's Pledge 1 & 2 were under the same name and written in different eras demonstrating poets' greatness and ป ณิ ธ า น ก วี ป ณิ ธ า น ข อ ง ก วี differentiating them from ordinary people. In general, the ultimate goal of any Buddhist is to practice Dharma and reach nirvana. However, the poet in this poem (referring to the author) pledges that he would rather write forever without any wish for nirvana. His only wish is to create poetry for the world –to convey the meaning of all earthly matters through great poetry to benefit the world. This poem praises the extremely valuable qualities of a poet. 13

Mere Movement เ พี ย ง ค ว า ม เ ค ลื่ อ น ไ ห ว This poem by Naowarat Pongpaiboon was written a few days before the uprising of 14 October 1973. It reflects the poet’s role in the movement of people’s thoughts and ways of living in the society. The poem reveals the Thai people’s inner state involving their frustration and oppression under a dictator’s regime. With the author’s profound creation of image, this poem has been praisedat all times 14

SMILE OF THE RICE GODDESS ยิ้ ม ข อ ง แ ม่ โ พ ส พ ARRIVAL OF NIRVANA AT EGG-NOODLE SHOP นิ พ พ า น ใ น ร้ า น ห มี่ เ ป็ ด ศิ ริ วั ฒ น์ This poem of Chiranan Pitpreecha This poem written by Montri portrays pestle crushing of rice by several Sriyong reflects the essence female farmers, showing harmony and of work. The author is a duck mutual kindness as well as the noodle merchant who makes agricultural tradition in Thailand. his noodle by threshing flour. Onomatopoeia is mainly used, resonating He then portrays this process the sound of pestle crushing and creating in this poem from the the image of harmonious rhythmic beginning to the end. At the trampling. As rice growing is the most same time, the poem is rich in important profession in Thailand, the image and emotion, mainly poem successfully symbolizes the happiness that springs from farmers, female rice growers and our work. This coincides with the nation teaching of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu who was a well- known monk from the south of Thailand: “work is happiness’. This poem touches the heart of those who seek to understand life. 15

Ayutthaya in Ancient City, Thailand With a long history of more than 700 years, Thai literature has become quite complex and varied. Thanks to the literary tradition, it still goes strongly with the tide. . 16

Editor’s Note LEARNER'S MAGAZINE This ASEAN Magazine Souvenir focuses on Thailand's strength, beauty, and artistry as an ASEAN member. This Learner's Magazine discusses the backgrounds, politics, and pride of Thailand. And most importantly, it showcases the undeniable rich culture and traditions through its literary works. Louie Jay Umali BSCE-3309 About the Cover A single body with different colors symbolizes commonality despite diversity. Ten Nations with one vision forming one identity work as one community. This is ASEAN. Now, the culture and tradition will be unwrapped inside each literary that is lovingly made and crafted. 17

References Buya, Elvie. (n.d.). Thai Literature. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/pdfcoffee.com_thai-litpdf-pdf- free.pdf DocPlayer. (n.d). ASEAN 20 TH CENTURY LITERATURES SELECTED POEMS AND SHORT STORIES FROM THAILAND. Retrieved from https://docplayer.net/82015408-Asean-20-th-century-literatures- selected-poems-and-short-stories-from-thailand.html Dokumen. (n.d). ASEAN 20 TH CENTURY LITERATURES SELECTED POEMS AND SHORT STORIES FROM THAILAND. Retrieved from https://dokumen.tips/documents/asean-20th-century- resonating-the-sound-of-pestle-crushing-and-creating-the- image.html?page=3 Eye on Asia. (n.d.). Thailand - A Country Profile. Retrieved from https://www.eyeonasia.gov.sg/asean-countries/know/overview- of-asean-countries/thailand-a-country-profile/ Xspace. (n.d.). Uten Mahamid. Retrieved from https://xspace.gallery/artistview?i_uid=oe80g46kb5p3

Learner's Magazine ASEAN Literature Umali, Louie Jay A. I BSCE - 3309. July 27, 2022