สำนักงานราชบัณทิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 131  depicted in these works are typically Thai. Sometimes royal personages did not write only about stories pertaining to courtly life. King Chulalongkorn, after hearing the tragic story involving the three Ngo from an old woman while he was taking a forest trip in the south of Thailand, was so captivated by it and wrote the play Ngo Pa (Wild Sakai) in eight days while convalescing from an illness. The play reveals a universal fact that human nature is the same everywhere regardless of race or status as illustrated by the following excerpts in English translation:- “Look at the power of love, That could lure people to their deaths. Here are three corpses in a row, All of them were slaves of love.” “ Thus concludes my poetic endeavor, A tale which can be turned into a play, Of Sakai born on the high land of Phatthalung, Wild forest their home, how to love they do know.” The South East Asian Writers or S.E.A. Write Award founded in 1979 by the Oriental Hotel, Bangkok is an annual event that recognizes and honors the works of contemporary poets and writers within Southeast Asian countries, presenting one award to a winner from each country. The award is given in the categories of poetry, short story and novel in rotation. In the early years, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand were the key participants. Winning writers receive a commemorative plaque, cash, and an all-expenses-paid vacation in Thailand or another ASEAN country. The initiative was well-supported by several organizations and other entities also joined in providing additional sponsorship. At the onset the Award was presented by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. In later years, members of the royal family or their representatives have graciously presided over the annual award presentation ceremony and gala dinner, during which a keynote speech is delivered by a prominent literary fi gure. Malithat Promathatavedi