‘The Vampire and The Tree’ Wins the 2024 Chommanard Book Prize for Outstanding Literary Achievement

The 13th annual Chommanard Book Prize, Thailand’s prestigious literary award celebrating the remarkable achievements of female authors, proudly announces this year’s winner:

Parimmaphatra Waithayawongsakul (P. Ogata) for her exceptional work, The Vampire and The Tree (ต้นไม้ของแวมไพร์). Organised by Bangkok Bank and Praphansarn Publishing, this event continues to honour female literary excellence in both fiction and non-fiction, providing a platform for outstanding authors to reach national and international audiences.

 

Mr. Chartsiri Sophonpanich, President of Bangkok Bank, chaired the awarding ceremony, which was attended by Dr. Kobsak Pootrakool, Bangkok Bank Director and Senior Executive Vice President, along with writers and esteemed guests such as Ms. Arunosha Panupan, Managing Director of Broadcast Thai Television, Ms. Nareepop Jirapotrut, President of The Writers’ Association of Thailand, and Dr. Trisilpa Boonkhachorn, a member of the judging committee for the S.E.A. Write Award and the Selection Committee for National Artists. Naowarat Pongpaiboon, S.E.A. Write Award-winning poet and 1993 National Artist, who is also the chairman of the Chommanard finalist judge committee was also in attendance.

Nareepop Jirapotrut, a member of the Chommanard Book Prize selection committee and a finalist judge, provided insights into this year’s competition, which saw 28 diverse submissions. She highlighted the imaginative thinking and varied character development as key strengths of the entries. While some stories focused more on character depth than on plot, the overall content was intense, often reflecting societal issues.

In selecting the final eight books, Nareepop emphasised the importance of the story’s impact and emotional resonance: “This year’s entries were more innovative and forward-thinking compared to the previous year’s submissions.”

Honouring Literary Excellence

In discussing The Vampire and The Tree, the judges praised its unique blend of fantasy and Buddhist philosophy, noting how the novel intertwines the protagonist’s adventures with profound existential reflections. The novel’s distinctive literary style and its use of allegorical characters to explore themes of immortality and the significance of nature further impressed the committee.

“The narrative’s depth, combined with its engaging storytelling, made it a unanimous choice for this year’s award,” Nareepop commented.

The Chommanard Book Prize is honoured to add Parimmaphatra Waithayawongsakul to its list of esteemed laureates, recognising her significant contribution to contemporary literature.

The winner of the Chommanard Award will receive a cash prize of 100,000 THB, a trophy, and royalties for the publication of their work in both Thai and English. The book will be available in various regions, with royalty rates aligned with those in each country where the book is sold.

 

 

Chommanard Book Prize Runners-Up

This year’s first and second runners-up, Wichuda Rachpitak (Daruch) for her work The Warrior’s Way (ลำนำจ้าวสังเวียน) and Juntharat Sawasjit (Jaojun) for Crown of Rose Thorns (มงกุฎหนามกุหลาบ), will receive cash prizes of 50,000 THB and 30,000 THB, respectively. They will also receive trophies and royalties for the publication of their works in Thai, ensuring their voices reach a wider audience.

Collaboration with PublisHER

This year’s award ceremony is further distinguished by the active participation of PublisHER, a movement initiated to address entrenched gender imbalances within the global publishing industry. Founded by Bodour Al Qasimi in 2019, PublisHER has grown into an international platform with over 1,000 female publishing leaders committed to fostering diversity, equity, and representation.

GeumJoo Lin (fka. Beatrice Yongin Lin), a prominent board member of PublisHER and co-founder and CEO of CO.MINT Inc. with decades of experience in publishing and content security, graced the event as a keynote speaker. Her speech, titled “Honouring Women’s Voices: The Chommanard Book Prize and the Future of Female Empowerment in Publishing” highlighted the transformative power of women’s stories and the critical role female writers play in shaping cultural narratives.

GeumJoo’s involvement underscores the shared vision between the Chommanard Book Prize and PublisHER. This collaboration is a testament to their commitment to amplifying the voices of women in literature and publishing, fostering an environment where diversity and gender equality are at the forefront.

Looking Ahead

The Chommanard Book Prize and PublisHER are excited to explore future collaborations, aiming to continue their joint efforts in empowering women in the literary world. This partnership is not just a celebration of individual achievements but a call to action for the entire publishing industry to support and uplift female voices.

As the Chommanard Book Prize enters its 14th year, the commitment to recognising and nurturing female literary talent remains stronger than ever. Submissions for the 14th Chommanard Award will be open until the end of April 2025, with a continued focus on elevating narratives that resonate with readers worldwide.

Chommanard Book Prize Event Details:

Date: September 11, 2024

Time: 13:00 – 15:15

Venue: Bangkok Bank’s auditorium, 29th Floor, Silom Road Head Office