KI BAD: THE POWER OF TRADITION THAT BLOCKS DREAMS

Abstract

“Ki Bad: The Massive Power of Traditions Blocking Dreams" presents an in-depth analysis of the 2024 ASEAN Literary Award-winning novel "Ki Bad" written by Prasertsak Patmarid. This novel conveys social issues related to the power of tradition and the pain and wounds of feelings through the patterns of 16 tin jok sarongs. Featuring three generations of Mae Chaem women who lead a difficult life of weaving Sin Tin Jok cloth, their emotional wounds, their perspectives, and their struggle against the power of tradition and social values that dictate that there are only duties for men and women, which is difficult to accept if what a person does deviates from the traditional values ​​that exist in that society, especially the issue of sexual diversity from the main characters of the story. The novel “Ki bad” presents the story through the struggle and passing on of the weaving of the Sin Tin Jok cloth, a cherished intellectual heritage in the family from generation to generation, which shows both the bright and dark sides that cause the emotional scars of the characters that are clearly portrayed.