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A group of literary experts led by Witayakorn Chiengkul have identified what they believe to be the top 100 Thai books which simply must have to be read.
The complete list is as follows:
Poetry & Plays
- 1 Samakkipet Kamchan (1907) - sophisticated chan-style poetry
by modern poet Chit Buratad.
- 2 Prachum Klong Lokaniti (1917) - Prince Dejadisorn's compilation
of klong poems on religious topics.
- 3 Mattanaparthar (1923) - King Rama VI's translates this
tragic-romance about the origins of the rose.
- 4 Klong Glorn Kong Kruu Thep (1942) - Chaophraya Thammasakmontri's revised version of this old moral poem.
- 5 Phra Lor (1953) - Prince Narathipprapanpong's version of the classical folk tale.
- 6 Korbfah Klib Thong (1956) - poetry by female National Artist Ujjeni.
- 7 Poetry of Angkarn Kallayanapongsa (1964) - the National Artist's first compilation. 8 Nirat Nong Khai - Laung Pattanapongpakdi's reflection of the bureaucratic system during the reign of King Rama V.
- 9 Rao Chana Laew Maejar (1974)- poetry by socialist poet Nay Pi.
- 10 Kawee Kab Karnmuang (1974) - poetry by activist philosopher Jit Pumisak.
- 11 Poetry of Plueng Wannasri - poems by this respected activist.
- 12 Jongpen Arthit Muer Uthai - work by the National Artist political poet Taveepvorn.
- 13 Piengkwarm Kluengwai (1974) - the philosophical lessons of nature by the first SEA Write poet, Naowarat Pongpaiboon.
- 14 Korbkrung (1971) - work by the pioneering, free verse poet Raj Rangrong.
Novels
- 15 Lakorn Haeng Cheewit (1929) - the work of royal-blood author M.C. Arkartdamkerng Rabibhat.
- 16 Karmanit (1930) - classical translation of Buddhist literature by the philosophers Sathirakoses and Nakapratheep.
- 17 Damrong Phrathet (1931) - romantic fiction with peace and women's rights themes by Vethang.
- 18 Nueng Nai Roi (1934) - a story of the well-to-do by pioneer female novelist Dokmaisod.
- 19 Bangrachan (1936) - based on Mai Muangderm, the great historical battle between Thailand and Burma. 20 Pol Nikorn Gim-nguan. Classical, popular comic fiction by Por Intarapalit.
- 21 Puchana Sibthit (1939) - historical romance by Yakob.
- 22 Peking Nakorn Haeng Kwarmlang (1943) - the story of Thai students in China during the revolution by Sod Kuramalohit
- 23 Ying Kon Chau (1946) - Thailand's first protagonist prostitute created by Kor Surangkanang.
- 24 Mueng Nimitr (1948) - utopian ideology by M.R. Nimitmongkol Nawarat.
- 25 Pattaya (1951) - social novel satirising the pro-military and socialist movement written under the still anonymous pen-name Daohang.
- 26 Phaendin Nee Kongkrai (1952) - Srirat Sathapanawat's look at corruption and discrimination.
- 27 Si Phaendin (1954) - the life of a court lady by M.R. Kukrit Pramoj.
- 28 Lae Pai Kangnar (1955) - Sriburapa's social comment.
- 29 Pisaj (1957) - Seni Saowapong's book on a love tainted by class discrimination.
- 30 Tung Maharaj (1964) - Malai Chupinit's novel based in the South.
- 31 Mahabandit Haeng Mitilanakorn (1964) - Yaem Prapathong's Buddhist novel.
- 32 Seplay Boy Chaorai (1969) - Acclaimed as Rong Wongsawan's verson of The Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck.
- 33 Jodmaay Jark Muang Thai (1970) - Botan's depiction of the lives of Chinese immigrants.
- 34 Rao Likit Bon Lumsop Vasitthi - Ror Jantapimpa's romance set during World War II.
- 35 Sang Cheewit - Luang Vijitwatakarn's novel about a man trying to make a name for himself.
- 36 Maesai Sa-uen (1971) - Or Chaiworasilp's work about a northern woman's life.
- 37 Khao Chue Karn (1971) - Suwannee Sukhontha's tragedy about a doctor's fight against corruption.
- 38 Tawan Tokdin (1972) - Krisna Asoksin's novel on government corruption.
- 39 Soythong (1974) - Nimit Poonthavorn's novel discovers the significance of life with the help of a pigeon.
- 40 Piurab Daeng (1974) - Suwat Woradilok's take on the life of a Thai seeking political refuge in China.
- 41 Luuk Isan (1976) - Kampoon Boontawee classic on the lives of Isan villagers.
- 42 Sritanonchai - revised version of the centuries-old tales of a tricky old man.
Short Stories
- 43 Nor Mor Sor's Nitarn Vetal (1918) - translated from Indian literature.
- 44 Manas Janyong's Jabtaay.
- 45 Por Buranapakorn's short stories.
- 46 Sor Thammayo's short stories. 4
- 47 Tanom Mahapaoraya's Plaay Maliwan and other short stories.
- 48 Jantri Siribunrod's Pudab Duang Arthit and other science fiction.
- 49 Isara Amantakul's Yuk Tamin short stories.
- 50 Arjin Panjapan's Muang Rae - a set of short stories about miners' lives.
- 51 Loa Kam Hom's Fah Bor Kan and other stories.
- 52 Dr Saneur Intarasuksri's Puernkao.
- 53 Witayakorn Chiengkul's Chanjueng Mahar Kwarm Maay.
- 54 Humourist's humourous short stories.
- 55 Nikom Rayawa's Kon Bon Tonmai and other short stories
History
- 56 Prawat Khotmai Thai - the history of Thai law by Belgian lawyer Ror Langat.
- 57 Nitarn Borankadee - history and archaeology stories by Prince Damrongrajanuparb.
- 58 Chao Cheewit - stories of the Chakri dynasty by Prince Julakrabongse.
- 59 Chome Nar Sakdina Thai - Jit Pumisak's book about Thai feuds.
- 60 Sangkom Thai Nai Samai Ton Ratanakosin 1782 to 1873 - urban anthropologist Akin Rapeepat's look at early Bangkok society.
- 61 Kabot Ros Sor 130 (1960) - Rien Srichand and Netr Poonvivat look at a failed revolution during the period of absolute monarchy. 62 Sarn Thai Nai Adeet - the history of the Thai court system courtesy of self-taught historian Prayut Sitthipat.
- 63 Prawatsart Thai Samai 1809 to 1910 Darn Settakit Lae Darn Sangkom (1974) - self-taught researcher
Chai Ruensilp looks at the economic and social aspects of Thailand in days past.
Religion/Philosophy
- 64 Phra Prawat Traslao (1924) - Supreme Patriarch Prince Vajirayarn Varoros on court and monk life.
- 65 Panyawiwat (1952) - Samak Burawat's book on intellectual evolution.
- 66 Phra Trai Pidok Chabab Pracharchon (1958) - Sucheep Punyanuparb's book is a digest version of holy Buddhist scriptures.
- 67 Puttatham (1971) - Phra Dhammapidok's book on Buddhism.
- 68 Itappajjaiyatar (1973) - Buddhadasa Bhikku writes of his Buddhist philosophy.
Literary/Language
- 69 Wannakadee Lae Wannakadee Vijarn (1943) - by pioneer literature expert Vit Siwasiriyanond.
- 70 Pratimakham Thai (1947) - Silpa Bhirasri's book on Thai sculpture.
- 71 Vittaya Wannakam (1963) - Prince Narathippongprapan's look at literature and linguistics.
- 72 Oe War Arna Pracharrat - Sanit Chareonrat's record of the journalism and social circles of the 1940s.
- 73 Kwarm-ngarm Kong Silapa Thai (1967) - Nor Na Parknam's book on Thai art.
- 74 Pasar Khotmai Thai (1968) - Thanin Kraivichien's fascinating book on the language of Thai law.
- 75 Wannasarn Samnuek - compilation of literary criticism by Supar Sirimanond.
- 76 Wanwaitayakorn Chabab Wannakadee Vijarn (1971) - comparative literature by Chetana Nagavajara
and M.L. Boonlua Dhebbayasuwan. 77 Saeng Arun 2 (1979) - compilation of architecture articles by Saengarun Ratanakasikorn.
Sociology/Anthropology
- 78 Praraja Pithi Sibsong Duen (1911) - King Rama V chronicles the traditional, monthly royal customs.
- 79 Sarn Somdej - compilation of correspondence between Prince Damrongrajanuparb and Prince Naritsaranuwattivong on cultural subjects.
- 80 30 Chart Nai Chiang Rai (1950) - a look at northern minorities by Boonchauy Srisawad.
- 81 Thienwan (1952) - Sa-ngob Suriyin's biography of the pioneering Thai modern thinker.
- 82 Kale Marntai (1961) - anthropological linguistics by Banchob Pantumethar.
- 83 Parata Vittaya (1967) - Karuna and Ruengurai Kusalasai's look at India.
- 84 Fuen Kwarm Lang (1968) - Phraya Anumarnrajathon's examination of cultural and social subjects.
- 85 Nitran Chao Rai (1972) - Sawad Chantani provides miscellaneous titbits about social history.
- 86 Kwarmpenmar Kong Kam Siam, Thai, Laos Lae Kom and Laksana Thang Sangkom Kong Chue Chonchart - Jit Pumisak's look at the origins of language in Thailand and its neighbours.
- 87 Autobiography of Mom Sripromma Kridakorn (1979) - the memoirs of this distinguished modern woman.
- 88 Pee Nai Cheewit Kong Karpachao - autobiography by this thinker and cultural expert.
Economics/Politics
- 89 Sapayasart (1911) - The Kingdom's first book on Economics courtesy of Phraya Suriyanuwat.
- 90 Buenglang Karn Patiwat 2475 (1941) - Kularb Saypradit highlights the start of democracy.
- 91 Thai Kab Songkram Loke Krangthee Song (1966) - Thailand and the Second World War as told by Direk Chaiyanam. 92 Santiprachartham (1973) - a compilation of social comments by Pauy Ungphakorn.
- 93 Har Pee Parithat (1973) - a compilation of editorial articles written by Sangkomsart Parithat magazine editor Sulak Sivaraksa.
- 94 Kwarmpen Anijjang Kong Sangkom - social comments by Pridi Banomyong. 95 Tarn Pridi (1974) - Duen Bunnag profiles Thai statesman and ideologist Pridi Banomyong.
- 96 Wan Mahapiti - a special publication by the Students' Association of Thammasat University to commemorate the events of October 14, 1973.
Science/Natural Science
- 97 Nangsue Sadaeng Kitjanukit (1867) - Thailand's first natural science book by Choapraya Tiparkorawong.
- 98 Paetsart Songkrao - pioneering traditional medicine text book. 99 Thammachart Narnar Sat (1961) - a
wealth of zoological knowledge by Boonsong Lekakul.
- 100 Kabuankarn Kawe Jon - a series of Prayoon Chanyawong's illustrated newspaper columns from 1976 to 1978. Topics include plants, food and daily life-related science.
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