Page 112 - The lraternational Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand.indd

The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XV-2023

From Chao Khun-Thong, no trace
there, only constitution
Mother and father in a sorry state,
but proud of their son.
(My translation, August 2023)

(In German) Von Chao Khun-Thong keinen Spur,
ist da die Konstitution, nur
Mutter und Vater trauern
sind aber stolz auf ihren Sohn.
(My translation, April 1999)

The ambivalent feelings of the parents of “Chao Khun Thong” express
both sides of the student uprising poetically. Some poets had given hint of the coming
conflicts in Thai society, Naowarat Pongpaibhun had alluded to in his “Mere Movement”:

…. A promise astir, of nothing evil,
But of grace, and beauty, taking shape.
There amid the murky stillness,

the beginning is begun.
Listen to the temple drums.
Observe another Holy Day.
Hear the booming of the guns
mark the people’s battle-cry.
Naowarat Pongpaiboon
(Translated by Chancham Bunnag, 1998)

Another famous strophe from a young poet, Visa Kanthap, We will Win, became a
symbol of the battle of the folk:

…เม่�อทึ่้องฟ้้าสุีทึ่องผ่่องอำไพ
ประชาชนจึะเป็นใหญ่่ในแผ่่นดิน
… when the sky gleams with golden glitter,
Over land will rule the people.

(My translation, July 2015)

(In German) …wenn der Himmel so golden glänzt
dann herrscht das Volk im Lande.

(My translation, April 1999)

104 “Littérature engagée” in Thailand in the Revolutionary Years from 1973 to 1976