Introduction
Rattawut Lapcharoensap, born in 1979 in Chicago but raised in Bangkok, received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his MFA degree from the University of Michigan. Lapcharoensap published his debut collection of short stories, “Sightseeing,” released to critical acclaim in 2005.
The work has been translated into several languages, and it depicts the interaction of the Thai and Western cultures, often through young characters grappling with identity, class, and tradition issues. This discussion will examine how the author portrays Thais and the interactions that they have with Western culture. This will be attained by reviewing some of his work in “Sightseeing,” which includes “Farangs,” “Draft Day,” “Priscilla the Cambodian,” “At the Café Lovely,” and “Don’t Let Me Die in This Place.”
The Portrayal of Thais in the Stories
Lapcharoensap’s collection of short stories, “Sightseeing,” depicts Thais as intricate individuals possessing many complex cultural values and traditions. Thai street vendors in “At the Café Lovely” are shown as hardworking entrepreneurs attempting to survive in Bangkok’s hectic metropolitan environment. Lapcharoensap writes, “The women were enterprising: they set up tiny plastic chairs and tables, hung umbrellas and beach towels from trees for shade, and sold soft drinks and snacks to anyone who needed a quick break from the heat” (Lapcharoensap 29). This passage exemplifies their ingenuity in adapting their livelihood despite limited resources and local conditions and circumstances.
Lapcharoensap’s novels, “Draft Day” and “Don’t Let Me Die in This Place,” portray Thai people as individuals deeply tied to their cultural heritage. For instance, Wit, in “Draft Day,” discusses growing up Thai American while remaining connected to his father’s homeland, reflecting upon “self-discipline, respect for elders, the sanctity of family as deeply embedded within Thai culture” (Lapcharoensap 57). This passage emphasizes family and cultural heritage as fundamental parts of individuals’ identities, core components integral to their identity.
Interaction Between Thai and Western Cultures
Lapcharoensap’s work investigates the complex relationships between Thai and Western cultures, often exploring tension and misperception that arise when these worlds collide. One such interaction between Western tourists and Thais can be seen in “Farangs” and “Priscilla the Cambodian.” Ton, the protagonist in both stories, is a tour guide to Western visitors to Thailand. Lapcharoensap utilizes Ton’s experiences to highlight the clash of Western and Thai values and exploitative tourism industry practices.
Ton observes, “It was easy to hate the farangs. They were loud, they were demanding, and they were ugly Americans in sandals and socks. They had come to Thailand to get drunk, get laid, and soak up the sun” (Lapcharoensap 13). Such comments suggest Western tourists view Thailand simply as a playground instead of viewing it as a complex culture with distinct values and traditions that should be respected and valued by Western visitors.
Lapcharoensap’s story “Priscilla the Cambodian” examines the effects of Western tourism on Thai society. His narrative centers around Western tourists visiting a Thai village and disrupting the local lifestyle. Nong, an impressionable young Thai girl and the protagonist in the narration, watches their behavior with both curiosity and uneasiness. Her dialogue questions whether “they realized their presence, noise, and so-called enjoyment were doing any real damage?” (Lapcharoensap 81). The author utilizes this passage to emphasize Western tourism’s destructive impact on traditional cultures, suggesting its influence could result in damage that threatens cultural identity or heritage loss altogether.
Conclusion
Lapcharoensap’s narrative “Sightseeing” provides an insightful depiction of Thai society and its interactions with Western culture. Through his stories, he shows Thais as individuals with distinct traditions and values while simultaneously exploring tensions that arise when these cultures meet. His depictions of Thai street vendors in “At the Café Lovely” and Wit’s reflections in “Draft Day” show how important family, heritage, and cultural preservation are within Thai society.
“Farangs” and “Priscilla the Cambodian” feature Western tourists who show how the tourism industry exploits traditional societies for financial gain, with severe impacts felt across Southeast Asian cultures. Lapcharoensap’s collection of stories provides a powerful commentary on this interplay of Thai and Western cultures and the challenges they present when encountering each other.
Work Cited
Lapcharoensap, Rattawut. Sightseeing: Stories. Grove Press, 2005.