Social Problems in Novel Finalists of S.E.A. Write Award, During 2018 – 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims: Literary works winning the S.E.A. Write Award are broadly recognized and admired; their authors mostly convey social ideas, values, and events through artistic letters reflecting movements and changes in Thai society. This research aims to analyze seventeen novel finalists of the S.E.A. Write Award, from 2018 to 2021. The study of reflections on social problems provides readers understanding of Thai society.

Methodology: The researcher surveys and collects data relating to social problems from novel finalists of the S.E.A. Write Award, during 2018 – 2021. The content specifically reflects various social issues in Thai society, using the concept of social reflection to analyze the text of the novels and present the research results in a descriptive-analytical form.

Results: Five aspects of social problems found are: 1) Living of urban and rural people, problems in the urban areas include city congestion, high cost of living, traffic jams, and flooding affecting transportation. For rural areas, there are natural disasters causing losses of life and property, and risks of public disasters. 2) Family conflicts, between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law because of different generation values and jealousy of love; between fathers-in-law and sons-in-law caused by conflicts in power and properties; the problem of infidelity of the husband causing stress to the wife who has to be fully in charge of the family affecting the future of the children. 3) Economic problems, especially debts caused by the value of the wedding dowry, which increases their debts and makes their future difficult.  The poor, with low incomes but high expenses, by the unfair system have to pay high interest for their loans and have progressive collective debts, which unavoidably affect their family and social stability. 4) Unemployment problems, the use of technologies, robots, and AI make humans unemployed. Laborers are employed; the disabled are ignored by society, unable to get employment, usually have to work harder for the wage, live a suffering life, and face inequality. 5) Problems of the youth, including early sexual affairs, uneducated or early leaving school, and smoking addiction, which are all caused by social and economic changes.

Conclusion: Five social problems of Thai society observed from the analysis of the novel finalists of S.E.A. Write Awarded, during 2018 – 2021, include 1) living problems caused by city congestions in the urban and disasters in the rural; 2) family conflicts between family members, especially who joined by law; 3) debt problems caused by governmental economic policies and social values; 4) unemployment problems affected by technologies and physical disability; and 5) problems of the youth, relating to early sexual affairs, early leaving school and risky behaviors.