Translated by Rachel Harrison this slim collection of short stories provides a window into the progressive literature movement in Thailand. Compiling Sidaoru’ang’s stories from the period of 1975 to 1990 allows the reader to see the writer’s experimentation with different themes and styles over time. A Drop of Glass and Other Stories is a great introduction to modern Thai literature as its themes and characters still provide insights into today’s Thailand.
Literature for Life
Thailand’s political turmoil of the 1970s produced new waves of literature focusing on themes related to the struggles of the time. Left leaning students focused on social equality began to write on themes of social justice which reflected on the lives of ordinary Thai people. This “Literature for Life” movement turned its eye on the working class of Thailand. The struggles of farmers, laborers, and factory workers figured prominently as writers highlighted groups which heretofore were not the subjects of mainstream writers.
Sidaoru’ang made several contributions to this movement. Unlike students and literati writing about the working class in Thailand, Sidaoru’ang presented a unique viewpoint born of personal experience. Leaving school at the age of ten, she was sent by her mother to work in Bangkok where she engaged in a number of jobs including domestic laborer and factory worker. This gave her stories a reality not captured by other writers of the time.
As Sidaoru’ang matured as a writer she realized that her work would not mobilize the workers she was seeking to help. Furthermore, as the student movement was suppressed in 1976 and subsequently experienced disillusionment, she began to explore other themes as Thailand changed. In addition to feminist perspectives, Sidaoru’ang writes about development and its effects on the environment and Thai society, both of which have become popular themes in progressive Thai literature.
Sidaoru’ang writes about the materialism of Thai society and her own alienation from modern urban life. Her stories on the environment are appropriate for children and creative as well. Many of her stories provide insights into Thai culture and Thai voices.
Thai Short Stories
Sidaoru’ang’s strongest stories are grounded in her life experiences. My Friend Has Not Yet Returned From the City describes how she waits for her husband after the Thai military crackdown on students in 1976. While other stories give insights into Thai communities, A Drop of Glass and The Hand focus on the hardships of manual labor. Although written with the agenda of labor organization, they remain powerful pieces in their own right. Her other efforts are interesting, but not as strong. The messages of rapid development and the question of development for who are well noted, but they are not presented as effectively as issues in her earlier work.
Translated by Rachel Harrison who also wrote a lengthy introduction on Thai literature, A Drop of Glass and Other Stories contains several misspellings. Despite this the translation is easy to read and the stories are well arranged to give a brief overview of Sidaoru’ang’s work.
A Drop of Glass and Other Stories (ISBN 974-210-665-7) by Sidaoru’ang was published by Editions Duang Kamol in 1994.
Brian Jungwiwattanaporn - Living an eclectic life, Brian has found online writing a great way to share and explore his interests. Having recently complete a ...
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