Writer triumphs

Uthit and Lap Lae Kaeng Khoi (Photo by Thanis Sudto)

The SeaWrite Award Committee led by chairman ML Sukhumbhand Baripatra yesterday announced that 34-year-old novelist Uthit Haemamoon from Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi was the winner of the 2009 SeaWrite Award for his novel "Lap Lae Kaeng Khoi" ("Mysteries of Kaeng Khoi").

The decision by the panel of seven judges was unanimous. There were seven novels competing for the prestigious annual literary award.

Unanimous decision

Kusuma Raksmanee, one of the judges, said the panel had been able to reach agreement on the winning novel easily. The judges praised the author for his characterisation, setting and atmosphere, all presented in a realistic and lively manner.

Focus on family

"The book is the first Thai novel in many years to be so unputdownable," said fellow judge Saranat Tailangkha. "Even though the author chooses to focus the story on a family, the book presents the colourful history of a community in an engaging manner. The author allows characters to tell their stories through their own eyes. I found their worldviews and way of thinking utterly absorbing."

A Bangkok-based writer, Uthit graduated with a bachelor's degree in art and design from Silpakorn University. He was previously known as a short-story writer for works such as "Palimaan Lam Peung" and "Mai Yorn Keun".

Emotional power

"Lap Lae Kaeng Khoi" tells of the lives of ordinary people facing everyday problems and the solutions they come up with.

The language of the novel was praised in the judges' citation for its emotion and power, bringing the scenes vividly to life in the reader's mind.