Assistant Professor Dhanate Vespada, one of the judges, said the award was not aimed at any particular genre.

The judges' criteria are creativity and a novel that can be valuable to society, he said.

"We wanted a small book to win. We liked 'Kati' because it's the story of a small girl and her little world," he said.

Dhanate was responding to comments from media members that children's literature does not have a place in the awards.

Nevertheless, the panel of judges, chaired by Assist Prof Khunying Vinita Diteeyont, stood firmly by their decision and made their case clearly on why the "small" story of "Kati" had grabbed the prestigious literature award.

The award-winning novel tells the story of a nine-year-old girl, Kati, who deals with the loss of her ill mother and the death of her father in an optimistic, uplifting manner.

Dhanate pointed out it was the author's writing ability that stood out. "She is able to string the story together very well. Her story and characters are strong. Some novels portray characters that are not developed throughout the story," said Dhanate.

Ngarmphan was also praised for the precision of her prose.

"She says very little, but there's so much behind what is being said," said judge Assoc Prof Ruenruthai Sujjapun.

Judge Nitaya Masavisut agreed, saying that despite the few dialogues in the story, readers are able to visualise each character.

"The story should really have been named the 'Unhappiness of Kati' as this girl holds a huge baggage of sadness in her heart, but the story has more to do with how we go on living despite such hardship," said Assist Prof Trisilpa Boonkhachorn, a jury member.

The critically acclaimed "Murder Case of Tok Imam Storpa Karde" by Siriworn Kaewkan and "Klang Ta Lay Luek" ("Middle Deep Ocean") by Prachakom Lunacha were earlier seen as frontrunners.

The award-winning author is due to meet the press today.