An Analysis of Thai Local Community Novels as Researched Literary Works

Abstract

This research study aimed to analyse eight novels and on book of short stories which are the creative writing of a Thai local community project, published in 2012 by Pen Thai Publishing, Co., Ltd. under the patronage of the Office of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Sor.Sor.Sor.) The findings showed that this series of novels was produced the same way as a research study. The project began when Sor.Sor.Sor. and the publisher worked together to set up a framework of Thai Local Community Novels. Then a workshop in which novelists were invited to brainstorm and discuss the use of literature to promote community strength was held. After that, the novelists collected data from the communities they were interested in. Their data collection methods included observation and interviews of community leaders. Related literature was also reviewed. Throughout this project, the process of data collection was monitored and all the literary works created were published.

It was found that this novel series, compared to other novels, were different in terms of literary styles. It can be seen that 1) the main plot was drawn upon local community well-being,  2) the setting was based on local communities,  3) leading characters were inspired by local community leaders,  and 4) literary styles namely poetry rhymes and numerous narrators were more obviously found than in other novels. Therefore, the researcher found that the creation of this novel series was driven by the project supporter rather than inspired by the writers' enthusiasm. However, to some extent, these local community novels are valuable since they help promote the evelopment of local community well-being and community strength by Sor.Sor.Sor.