Suwanni Sukhontha

Writings

Suwanni's works are well known for their realistic structure. She is noted for using a common but sarcastic language in her works, contrary to the style popular at that time. The characters she created are usually ordinary people and reflect the downsides of human beings. Suwanni is also renowned for profound understanding of female psyche and her use of "brush stroke" to create rich imagery. Khon Roeng Mueang (คนเริงเมือง; "She Who Enjoys the City") With the political conditions of Thailand during the 1930s to 1970s as subtext, especially the overthrow of absolute monarchy, the nationalist reform by Plaek Phibunsongkram, and the rise of military dictatorship; the novel tells the story of Phring (พริ้ง), a girl who had badly been raised by her elder sister. Phring grew up to be a selfish woman who only lived for money and her own happiness, without considering the right or wrong. Khwam Rak Khong Sunthriya (ความรักของสุนทรียา; "Sunthriya's Love Story") Khwam Rak Khrang Sut Thai (ความรักครั้งสุดท้าย; "Last Love") Khuen Nao Thi Luea Dao Pen Phuean (คืนหนาวที่เหลือแต่ดาวเป็นเพื่อน; "Stars Are My Only Friends on this Cold Night") Khuen Ni Mai Mi Phra Chan (คืนนี้ไม่มีพระจันทร์; "No Moon Tonight") Luk Rak (ลูกรัก; "My Beloved Son") Mae Si Bangkok (แม่ศรีบางกอก; "She is the Grace of Bangkok") A romantic comedy and scientific fiction satirising Bangkok. The main character, Saosi (สาวศรี), was an attractive girl and was in romantic relationships with two men at the same time. Both men had just earned doctoral degrees in medicine. Saosi was later brought to "another planet" by an extraterrestrial being, named Thawichat (ทวิชาติ), and she married him. When she returned to Bangkok, she found that fifty years had passed since her departure and all of her relatives and friends had died. She later discovered that she had been given immortality by Thawichat. Although a great deal of time had passed and the advanced technology was everywhere, Saosi found that Bangkok was still full of sins, selfishness, and discrimination. Because of immortality, she became bored of her life. She then threw herself out of a window in order to commit suicide, but she could not die. The novel ends with Saosi sitting on the floor where she fell onto and crying, as she missed the aging and death. Maya (มายา; "Delusion") Ngu Rong Hai Dok Mai Yim (งูร้องไห้ ดอกไม้ยิ้ม; "A Crying Snake and a Smiling Flower") Phayap Daet (พยับแดด; "Overcast") Phra Chan Si Nam Ngoen (พระจันทร์สีน้ำเงิน; "Once in a Blue Moon") The story about the conflicts in Suwanni's family which led to the death of her son, Namphu. The novel won the National Book Weeks Award in 1976. Phrung Ni Chan Cha Rak Khun (พรุ่งนี้ฉันจะรักคุณ; "And I Will Love You Tomorrow") Phu Ying Khon Nan Chue Sela (ผู้หญิงคนนั้นชื่อเสลา; "That Woman's Name Is Sela") Rueang Khong Ket (เรื่องของเกด; "Ket's Account") Sai Bo Yut Sane Hai (สายบ่หยุดเสน่ห์หาย; "Fragrance Is Still Strong in Mid-morning") Sam Ngao (สามเงา; "Three Shadows") Soi Saeng Daeng (สร้อยแสงแดง; "Vermilion Bracelet") The conflicts within a family told through the eyes of a chicken raised by the family, Chiap (เจี๊ยบ, meaning "chirp"). Chiap has beautiful feathers around its neck, looking like the Vermilion Bracelet, a chicken in the ancient tragic poem, Lilit Phra Lo (ลิลิตพระลอ); hence came the name of the novel. The novel won the National Book Weeks Award in 1973. Soi Salap Si (สร้อยสลับสี; "Multicoloured Bracelet") Soi Sawat (สร้อยสวาท; "Chains of Love") Suan Sat (สวนสัตว์; "The Zoo") A collection of short stories published in Lalana magazine, based upon the animals raised by Suwanni who said that these animals were a recollection of warm happiness in olden days. The book is now used for education in Thai secondary and tertiary education institutions. It has also been translated into Japanese by Mineko Yoshioka (吉岡峯子) under the title Sārapī no Saku Kisetsu (サーラピーの咲く季節). The short stories are: Chao Wan A-thit (เช้าวันอาทิตย์; "Sunday Morning"), Saraphi Duean Kumpha (สารภีเดือนกุมภาฯ; "Saraphi Flowers in February"), Hua Ta-kua (หัวตะกั่ว; "Blue Panchax"), Si Thong (สีทอง; "Golden"); Khwam Fan (ความฝัน; "Dream"), Nam Thuam (น้ำท่วม; "Flood"), Nam Phueng Thi Nai Phra Chan (น้ำผึ้งที่ในพระจันทร์; "Honey in the Moon"), Mo Bunkhong Kap I Khiao (หมอบุญคองกับไอ้เขียว; "Doctor Bunkhong and The Green"), Mai Mi Wan Nan (ไม่มีวันนั้น; "That Day Won't Come"), and Siang Riak Chak Mae Nam (เสียงเรียกจากแม่น้ำ; "A Cry from the River"). Thale Rue Im (ทะเลฤๅอิ่ม; "How Could the Sea Be Enough?") Thanon Sai Rommani (ถนนสายรมณีย์; "A Road to Amusement") Thong Phrakai Saet (ทองประกายแสด; "Gold Whose Shine Is Orange") Wan Wan (วันวาร; "Yesterday") Wotka Lae Khawia (ว้อดก้าและคาร์เวียร์; "Vodka and Cavia")

In popular culture

Many of her novels have been adapted into films and television dramas. These include:

Kao-i Khao Nai Hong Daeng, adapted into dramas in 1984, 1999, and 2013. Khao Chue Kan, adapted into films in 1973 and 1988 as well as dramas in 1980 and 2010. Khon Roeng Mueang, adapted into film in 1980 and dramas in 1988, 2002, and 2017. In both 1988 and 2002 versions, Mai Charoenpura played as the main character, Phring. Khwam Rak Khrang Sut Thai, adapted into films in 1975 and 2003. Kitchakam Chai Sot, adapted into dramas in 1999. Phra Chan Si Nam Ngoen, adapted into film in 1984 and dramas in 1995 and 2002. In the 1984 film adaption, Amphol Lumpoon played as Namphu and won the 29th Asia-Pacific Film Festival Award for Best Actor as well as the Thai Oscar for Best Actor. The 1984 film was also the most popular and highest grossing Thai film of the year, earning a total of 15 million baht. Phrung Ni Chan Cha Rak Khun, adapted into dramas in 1972, 1980, 1982, 1989, 1993, and 1999. Thale Rue Im, adapted into drama in 2003. Thong Prakai Saet, adapted into drama for six times: twice in 1974, 1981, 1988, 2001, and 2012, respectively.

In several television dramas, Suwanni was notably portrayed by actress Sinjai Plengpanich. Suwanni was also portrayed by Patravadi Mejudhon in the 1984 film adaption of Phra Chan Si Nam Ngoen.