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[Lite Beer]

OBITUARY
Final chapter closes for national scribe Prabhassorn
Chusri Ngamprasert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- NATIONAL ARTIST Prabhassorn Sevikul, 67, passed away peacefully at home in Bangkok yesterday morning of heart failure. He is survived by his wife, Chutima, and their two sons.

Prabhassorn was born on April 22, 1948, in Bangkok, and developed a passion for literature before picking up the pen himself in his teenage years. He started off by writing poetry and short stories, before publishing his first novel in 1982.

The writer, with a bachelor's degree in international relations and political comparative studies, joined the Foreign Ministry in 1969 and was posted to several countries such as Laos, Germany, Turkey and New Zealand. His last job before retirement in 2008 was as minister-counsellor at the Royal Thai Embassy in Santiago, Chile.

His long-standing diplomatic career gave him an insight into different cultures, history, art and unique lifestyles and traditions, which in turn became good resources for his novels. He is known for his mastery of the language and ability to impart deep sentiments with simple, yet powerful words. His characters are also fine and inspiring examples of mankind.

His most loved work is his sixth novel, "Wela Nai Khuad Kaew" ("Time in a Bottle"), which was first serialised in 1985 in a popular women's magazine and later published as a pocketbook in 1986. The novel about love and friendship against the backdrop of the 1973 political conflict in Thailand has captivated readers, and was turned into a film in 1991 and into TV soaps twice.

"Wela Nai Khuad Kaew" has also been reprinted more than 30 times and translated into several languages.

Writing for more than four decades, Prabhassorn created more than 50 novels, more than 150 short stories and 200 or so poems. He has been honoured with several awards, including the National Book Award, and was named National Artist for Literature in 2011.

In 1982, Prabhassorn was appointed secretary-general of the Writers' Association of Thailand, before becoming president in 2001. He devoted himself to modernising the association, and lifting the image of writers in Thai society. He also worked on expanding the relationship between writers and readers both in Thailand and in neighbouring countries. One of his goals was to promote better understanding among people in the Asean region.

The must-haves for his fans are "Wela Nai Khuad Kaew", "Amnard" ("Power"), "Sheik", "Lod Lai Mangkorn" ("Through the Dragon's Stripes"), "Khor Mhon Bai Nan Thee Ther Fan Yam Noon"("Send Me the Pillow You Dream On") and "Dek Chay Maliwan" ("A Boy Named Jasmine").

Bathing rites for the late scribe will be held at 4pm today at Wat Somanas Rajavaravihara, Sala 10. Daily funeral services begin at 6.30pm today until September 25.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Final-chapter-closes-for-national-scribe-Prabhasso-30269112.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-19

[soalbundy]

An intelligent productive Thai and he has to die early when there is such a shortage.

[chainarong]

A long diplomatic career, supporting his country at all times , well done , thoughts are with Prabhassorn's family and friends . RIP.

[DeepInTheForest]

A diplomat, a man of letters, an immensely prolific author, and a promoter of cultural exchange between Thailand and Vietnam. Twice was elected head of the Writers' Association of Thailand. His works have regrettably not been translated very widely into English. Perhaps the best example of his work in English is in a collection of stories about Thai women called "The Lioness in Bloom", translated by Susan Fulop Kepner. The Prabhassorn story contained therein is "Deaf Sim", an unflinching look at the difficult life of an ordinary Thai person. The story, a small gem, manages to be unsentimental yet very humane at the same time-- simply superb writing. This collection, incidentally, is a treasure; readers would do well to track it down.

His literary work included editing and writing the introduction of the Thai translation of Nguyen Nhat Anh’s ‘Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve Di Tuoi Tho’, or "Give Me a Ticket Back to Childhood". In 2013 he traveled to Vietnam to help promote the release of a collection of Thai and Vietnamese poems and short stories called "Lotus Blooms in the Stream and Literature".

Thai literature has not been translated very often into English. That is a shame. Unlike the earlier comment here suggests, there are many notable Thai authors and artists, for the most part unknown to the West. Readers may wish to look for the work of Wat Wanlayankul, Dok Mai Sot, Kampoon Boontawee, Sri Dao Ruang, Krisna Asoksin, and Ussiri Dhammachoti. There are of course many others, exploring many and varied themes of Thai life that would resonate with those who have experienced Thailand. By reading a country's fiction, we can become more deeply aware of its currents and characteristics, its quirks and its charms, and its darker sides and brighter qualities. It's worth the time and the trip. Such authors put lie to the trope often expressed here that Thai culture is moribund.

Khun Prabhassorn, thanks for your estimable contributions to human culture... and for the inspiration you provide.