Magazine Memories

Stacks of old magazines are seen almost everywhere in a collector's three-storey house _ on book shelves, tables and stairs. Some of them date back to the reign of King Rama V in the 19th century and many others are about half-a-century old. The value of these magazines, the prized possessions of a group of collectors, lies far beyond their age, high prices and beautiful covers.

"The outlook of old magazines allows our generation to understand the thoughts of Thai authors and thinkers, especially during the transitional period between the reigns of King Rama IV and King Rama V," National Artist and writer Suchart Sawatsri said during a seminar on old books at The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre.

According to him, in the past every kind of printed material _ books, newspapers and magazines _ were called nangsue.

Before 1912, before the Ror Sor 130 failed coup d'etat, there was no Thai word for magazines. That year, Nor Mor Sor (or Prince Phitthayalongkorn), the editor of magazine Lak Witthaya, introduced the Thai word, makkasin. Later, King Rama VI created the word warasarn, meaning "journal", that remains in use today. The Thai word nittayasarn refers to printed materials which come out on a regular basis, and is believed to have been created about 1970 since the word was first officially recorded in the Royal Institute of Thailand's book, A Glossary Of New Words in 1977. In 1971, the first volume of BR Magazine referred itself as "nittayasarn".

BIRTH OF MAGAZINES

For Suchart, the history of Thai magazines started with the launch of missionary Dr Dan Beach Bradley's weekly journal Bangkok Recorder in 1844 and then Bangkok Calendar during the Fourth Reign (1851-1868). Later in 1875, the first Thai-owned journal Khao Ratchakarn came out. In 1882, the famous weekly journal Jodmaihet Siam Samai by missionary Samuel John Smith was launched.

The magazine Darunowart gave birth to the country's first short story entitled The Meeting And Talking Of Four Fishermen in 1874. Darunowart was a bi-weekly magazine. It was older than the famous weekly magazine Vajirayarnwises, which was launched in 1884, the same year the first volume of the monthly journal Vajirayarn was published.

Magazines with critical content include Thianwan's Tullapiwak Pojanakij, launched in 1900, and King Rama VI's Thawipanya, launched in 1904. Interestingly, the bilingual magazine Jino Worasarnsart came out in 1907, introducing Sun Yat Sen's Three Principles of the People _ nationalism, democracy and people's livelihood _ believed to have partially contributed to the Ror Sor 130 coup. In 1949, Aksornsarn, edited by Supa Sirimanon, was out and is considered Thailand's first magazine on Marxism.

Meanwhile, magazines for women have had their place since 1888 when Narirom was launched by an editorial team of men who used women's pen names. In 1907, the monthly magazine for women, Kullasatri, edited by Chantaramas, a man who used a woman's pen name, was started (it is a different magazine to the one with the same title today). In 1928, Siam Yuppadee, a weekly magazine by women and for women, was launched. The move came before the birth of a Thai magazine for men, Khana Supphab Burus. Four years later, the bi-monthly Natenaree was launched. It had a woman editor, Kobkarn Wisetsri, and featured many novels and short stories by women authors.

Old magazines also mirrored the intellectual side of military officers, ranging from the first military magazine, Yutthakos, launched in 1892, to Senasuksa, which started in 1915 and published renowned author Kularb Saipradit's first work.

Also interesting is the way a movie magazine, Lao Ruang Phapphayon, which was launched in 1923 as a handbook for people to watch silent movies, served as a career springboard for several famous authors like Chit Burathat.

"I want to know Thai authors' schools of thought. Without the first edition of primary documentary evidence, we can't see the real perspective. Without magazines that published the authors' works for the first time, it would be like lacking spirit and soul," Suchart said.

Suchart produced renowned magazines Sangkhomsart Parithas, Lok Nangsue and Thanon Nangsue, and still edits the literary magazine Chorkaraked. His collection of old magazines includes editions of Aksornsarn, Silpa Phua Cheewit, Kraduengthong and Chaokrung he bought from Sanam Luang when he was a university student around 1962. He owned almost every volume of Sangkhomsart Parithas and Jaturas until they were damaged by floodwater last year.

THE JOY OF COLLECTING

Another magazine collector and history book author, Anake Nawigamune, said: "Old magazines and newspapers are very valuable for recording incidents, especially Bangkok Recorder and Jodmaihet Siam Samai."

Bangkok Recorder, Anake said, was launched in 1844 and featured news, articles, commentary and ads. It once published King Rama IV's article in which His Majesty wrote about the Bangkok Yai and Bangkok Noi canals.

His favourite magazines, however, are not so old: he names magazines for children Chaiyapruek and Daroonsarn.

Chaiyapruek featured short stories by well-known writer Tamra Na Muangtai and paintings by artist Hem Vechakorn. Daroonsarn allowed youngsters to send in their stories about hobbies. Its column, Pramual Khwamroo, compiled knowledge from around the world and presented it in comic form. Both magazines impressed him and inspired him to learn more and write easy-to-read history books.

"I am most impressed with, and have collected, magazines from 1947 to 1957. I like to look at ads published in any magazine and this supports my research," Anake added.

Anake owns thousands of old magazines, both at his home and the House of Museums in Thon Buri. His collection includes Daroonsarn, Chaiyapruek, Sakulthai, Srikrung and Srisubda dating from 1927 to 1957. A few are on display in the museum.

However, he owns none of the rare Bangkok Recorder and Jodmaihet Siam Samai dating to the reign of King Rama IV and V. Fortunately, he can read microfilm versions at the National Library, which has all magazines and newspapers in Thailand dating from the late Fourth Reign to the present, except the weekly journal Chandler started by missionary J.H. Chandler in 1868.

''Apart from their content, old magazines are interesting for the studies of old fonts, ads and designs. It depends on each individual's need. For me, I mostly use them for information checking,'' he noted. History author Sombat Plainoi is a major collector of old magazines, especially those published during World War II. Unfortunately, most of his collection was scattered and damaged during last year's flood.

''Some magazines are unknown by most people because not many copies were printed during World War II due to a paper shortage. Books and magazines during the war were rare and printed on unusual paper like hay or flax paper. At that time, it was easier to buy gold than paper,'' he said.

Among his favourites is Supparbburus Prachamitr, edited by famous author Kularb Saipradit. This magazine was popular during the war. Interestingly, it mirrored new writing approaches and served as a springboard for future renowned writers to reflect their hard times and experiences at war.

''Writing methods and genres changed a lot during the war from romance between a millionaire's son and a sugar cane vendor to new approaches. Issara Amantakul and Seni Saowapong were among those major writers. Author Chainoi's series about the lives of war prisoners was very popular,'' Sombat noted.

THE NEED FOR HISTORICAL RECORDS

Another major book and magazine collector, Thongchai Likhitpornsawan owns about 9,000 old magazines and 20,000 books dating from the Fifth Reign to now, including a complete set of Ratchakijjanubeksa.

Due to his love of history, he began collecting old books and magazines in 1987, starting with a first edition of the Chronicle printed in 1914.

He loves Ratchakijjanubeksa from the reign of King Rama V most because it has a variety of content, like Matichon and Siam Rath Subdavijarn magazines, ranging from news to the appointments of bureaucrats and monks.

''Khun Anake, Ajarn Sombat and I use information from these old magazines for learning, doing research and writing books,'' Thongchai, who is also the managing director of Ton Chabub Publishing House, noted. Thongchai sits on the Culture Ministry's Thai historical account review subcommittee which meets twice a week.

So far, the panel has checked and written footnotes for the first to sixth volumes of Jodmaihet Phra Ratchakit Raiwan dating back to the reign of King Rama V.

To him, Westerners keep books, magazines and advertising flyers better than Thais do. They know what will have great value in the future.

The best way to keep old books and magazines is to use them on a regular basis. Therefore, his private library is open to postgraduate students in Thailand and abroad to visit and do research upon request.

Fellow collector Anake said sadly: ''There is no conservation for old magazines [in Thailand]. The weather here is hot and humid. Only a small number of people collect magazines because they need a lot of space. So, many magazines are discarded after reading.''

To him, most private collectors keep old magazines as they are. Sometimes, paper becomes yellow and damaged by dust and water. And some people have no idea about where they can donate old magazines.

He urged the government and the National Library to support conservation and ensure digital and microfilm versions of old magazines are duplicated and kept in provincial archives as well as the headquarters in Bangkok.

Suchart noted: ''The National Library has many books which are national heritage. Unfortunately, it receives a low budget. Although its annual budget has increased from 1 million baht to 2 million baht, it still cannot afford to buy enough books and magazines that provide the historical perspective of Thai books and writers.''

---

For more information about or to download old magazines like Vajirayarnwises and Jodmaihet Siam Samai, visit www.sac.or.th/databases/siamrarebooks/main/.