Many Lives by Kukrit Pramoj

Many Lives by Kukrit Pramoj, Translated by Meredith Borthwick

M.R. Kukrit Pramoj’s modern classic set in the Thailand of the 1950’s. A river boat sinks and many drown. The life of each passenger who perished is retraced from birth, revealing a complex web of experiences and emotions.

“That night, the rain poured and the wind howled, raindrops crashing like solid objects onto the ground and water. A passenger boat from Ban Phaen to Bangkok, packed with people, pressed on through the current amidst the rising clamour of the rain and storm ….” The boat capsizes in the torrent, and washed up on the shore next morning are the sodden bodies of many passengers.”

Thus begins M.R. Kukrit Pramoj’s modern classic set in the Thailand of the 1950’s. The life of each passenger who perished is retraced from birth, revealing a complex web of experiences and emotions.

M.R. Kukrit Pramoj (1911-1995) was a phenomenon. He achieved distinction in the fields of politics, classical dance drama and literature while also appearing in the Hollywood version of The Ugly American playing opposite Marlon Brando.

Paperback
First published in Thai 1954
This edition published in Chiang Mai 1999
Silkworm Books
227 pages
ISBN 9789747100679