Thana Boonlert
In this article: Mochtar Lubis
Written by Thana Boonlert
Originally published in Bangkok Post.
Mar 31, 2025
Written by Thana Boonlert
Originally published in Bangkok Post.
Mar 31, 2025
The Phan Waen Fah Award continues to recognize literary works that engage with politics and social issues, highlighting the power of storytelling in shaping public discourse. This year’s winners explore themes of democracy, freedom, and ethics, reinforcing the role of writers in reflecting societal challenges.
Thanya Sangkhaphanthanon, a SEA Write Award recipient, noted that inspiration can come from personal history, citing Mochtar Lubis, an influential name among Indonesian writers. His short story Portrait portrays the struggles of an old street vendor in Suharto’s New Order era, demonstrating how literature captures political realities—an approach echoed in many winning works of the Phan Waen Fah Award.
"Write about a soldier, not a war. Write about something small like Mochtar Lubis. You can't draw a map for the whole world, but can make a point," he said.
Thanya Sangkhaphanthanon, a SEA Write Award recipient, noted that inspiration can come from personal history, citing Mochtar Lubis, an influential name among Indonesian writers. His short story Portrait portrays the struggles of an old street vendor in Suharto’s New Order era, demonstrating how literature captures political realities—an approach echoed in many winning works of the Phan Waen Fah Award.
"Write about a soldier, not a war. Write about something small like Mochtar Lubis. You can't draw a map for the whole world, but can make a point," he said.
Read the full article here.
