Reading political economy in “Kho Raeng Noi Thoe”, a short story by Sriburapha

Abstract

“Kho Raeng Noi Thoe” or “May I have your labour?” is a short story written by Sriburapha, a foremost Thai novelist from the 1930s to the 1950s. This story is known as a socialist-realist short story which raises questions about the value of “labour”. The theme of the story relates to Marxist political economy, presenting a discussion on the value of “labour” and “money” to dismantle the ideology of Thai feudal society. But at the end, the denouement asserts ironically the accepted value of labour according to the Thai socio-cultural context. As the result, the expression, “Kho Raeng Noi Thoe”, has transformed into an ideological apparatus to support moralist society and ethical values in Thai society.