Many German books have been translated into Thai over the years, and now a collection of Thai short stories has been released in German, giving speakers of that language a chance to learn more about the Kingdom and its people today.

Horlemann Publishing's "Ein Staubkorn auf der Erde Thailand erzahlt" ("A Dust Grain on the Earth", the title of one of the featured works) is a compilation of 12 stories - many of them SeaWrite Award winners - selected and translated by Heike Werner and Kirsten Ritscher, who pursue Thai studies in Hamburg.

The book is edited by Dr Chalit Durongphan, who teaches Thai in Germany. When he first moved there in 1990, Chalit found a few titles from Thai literature translated into German in the library, but many of these had in fact been translated from English.

"Dust Grain" isn't the first "reverse translation" between Thai and German. Prof Dr Ampha Otrakul, a German-language expert at Chulalongkorn University, earlier compiled short stories by such award-winning writers as Lao Khamhom and Manas Janyong.

The new collection comprises stories written in the past three decades, all focusing on social issues and development.

"It's not the big picture about politics or the economy, but something real about people's lives out there," says Chalit.

There is "Polamuang Dee" ("The Good Citizen") by Seksan Prasertkul, written 30 years ago, and "Krathang Chaniang Rim Na-tang ("The Flower Pot by the Window") written in 1999 by two-time SeaWrite winner Win Lyovarin.

Assiri Thammachot portrays the struggle of the poor people in "Krob-krua Klang Tanon", and Prapasson Sewikul shows how life is even harder for women and the disabled in "Sim Bai" ("The Mute Chinese Lady").

While some of the older stories may be too out of date to reflect accurately on the country today, others are timeless, Ampha says, citing "Matsee" by Sridaoruang as an example.

But since few of the collection's readers know much about Thailand, "anything will be new for them to learn about us", she says.

Chalit points out that the contemporary Thai society depicted in the stories will surprise some Western readers.

"Many still have a picture in their minds of the exotic Thailand represented in guidebooks.

"If they have a chance to be educated about our contemporary culture and way of life, the picture in their minds will no longer be one-sided," he adds hopefully.

Chalit's indicates in the book that each story was written at a different period of time, and contributor Win says the 12 pieces can relate the chronological development of Thai society from different perspectives.

"It's always a good start for the Westerners to learn about our society, regardless of the stories chosen," he says.

Hans-Michael Fenderl, who handles the Frankfurt Book Fair's international department, says there's always room for more Thai literature in the German market.

Only three books from Thailand are slated to be on sale at the fair in October, even though the German market is quite competitive.

Most readers in Europe want to know about contemporary life and romance in Asia, says Fenderl. "But don't quote the old sayings too much!" he adds, referring to a tendency among Chinese writers to cite ancient proverbs, which can leave Western readers cold.

Germans are known for their straightforwardness, he explains, and they want their reading material to get to the point. "Make it easy to digest and more direct," he advises Thai writers aiming for the foreign market.

That's not to say they should try and write like a Westerner, Fenderl adds.

"If you act German, why would I want to read about it? 

Sirinya Wattanasukchai

The Nation