SURACHAI JUNTIMATORN
TALE FROM THE VILLAGE
Our village is our village
An old village, for generations we live here
In poverty, our house spirits never complain
Then the city ghosts arrive, like plague
We patiently accommodate them
Whatever happens, nothing we can do
We cant read or write
All we know is farming
Toiling the land under the sun
Hot or cold, rain or wind, we labor on
All to feed the city ghosts
The young people have gone
Leaving their old folks and kids
To face the reality of vanishing hope
Buffaloes sold, rice fields have no yields, and famine
The city ghosts must be angry with us
So they have brought in the disaster
Whether in dream or reality
We cant find the answer
All we know is...
Suffering forever
SURACHAI JUNTIMATORN The founder of Thailand’s beloved Caravan band, ("Nga Caravan"), started his career by joining the student movement against the dictatorial regime in the early 1970s. His songs and poems represented the political statement of the democratic forces, especially the rural poor. After the 6 October 1976 Massacre, student activists, including members of Caravan, fled to the countryside and neighboring Laos,taking shelter with the Communist Party of Thailand. After amnesty was declared in 1979, the band's members gradually returned from exile and by 1982 it had released the album Duanpen (Full Moon). Several other albums followed, including Kon ti Lek (Blacksmith, 1983), a concert album, Live in Japan at Taku Taku (1988), and etc. Surachai himself has been recognized as the pioneer of progressive political songs or “Songs for Life” in Thailand over the three decades. Surachai also writes poetry and short stories. In 2005 he was selected the recipient of Sri Burapa Award for long-time literary excellence and commitment. His publication includes a poetry book Jaruek bon nungsuea (Inscribed On A Book), collections of short stories-- Ma jaak ti rab sung (Coming from the Highland), Khang Thanon (Streetside), Kwam ba ma yuen (Madness), Duang tawan si daeng (Red Sun), and a novel Kon fa sang (Before Sunrise).
