Traditions of Eroticism in Thai Literature and the Contribution of Sujindaa Khantayaalongkot

Abstract

Thailand is a place of contradictory phenomena about sex. A lot of westerners know Thailand as a sex tour destination while the country itself has a rather modest sexual culture. In reality, sexual issues are infrequently discussed openly, especially among women. This culture is dubbed by a Thai critic as ‘a culture of silence’ (Sutham, 2001:120).  Therefore, whoever, especially women, is not silent about sex is considered to be ‘controversial’.  Sujindaa Khantayaalongkot is the most controversial woman writer who dares to take a share of erotic writing which has been dominated by Thai male authors for centuries. Moreover, she has contributed a lot into the traditions of Thai erotic literature.