Wikipedia

Thai comics

Thai comics (Thai: หนังสือการ์ตูนไทย) are comics created and produced by Thai cartoonists (Thai: นักวาดการ์ตูน). Thai comics have a long history that dates back to the early 20th century. The industry saw significant growth during the 1980s and 1990s with the emergence of several successful comic series. Today, in addition to traditional printed comics, web comics have also gained popularity in Thailand.[1]

Banluesarn booth at a book fair.

History

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Early days

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The first recognized cartoon in Thailand was made during the reign of King Rama V, which appeared in the magazine Samran Wittaya (Thai: สำราญวิทยา, lit. 'Enjoyable Knowledge') in January 1907. The cartoon depicted a Chinese pork seller, a dog, a chair, and a pork leg, and included a riddle in the form of a poem.[2][3]

Cartooning in Thailand gained momentum during the reign of King Rama VI, who was not only interested in drawing but also exposed to British political cartoons during his education at Oxford University. In 1917, he coined the Thai word "Paap Lor"[A] (Thai: ภาพล้อ) as a term for "cartoon"[B], which helped to establish the medium in Thailand.[2][3]In 1920, the King held an amateur drawing competition among state officials, which included three categories: "Paap Lor", creative drawings, and realistic drawings. These categories indicated that cartoons had been distinguished from other styles of art.[2]

In 1923, Pleng Tri-Pin (Thai: เปล่ง ไตรปิ่น) won a royally-endorsed competition and became Thailand's first political cartoonist after being hired by Krungthep Daily Mail. Pleng, who had earlier traveled to Europe on a commercial vessel to study art, returned to Thailand with knowledge of using metal blocks for the press, which was a new technology in Thailand at the time. This enabled him to speed up the process of publishing cartoons in the newspapers and encouraged other cartoonists to produce more works. Pleng's contributions to Thai cartooning earned him the title "Khun Patipak Pimlikit" (Thai: ขุนปฏิภาคพิมพ์ลิขิต, lit. 'The Nobleman Who Prints Like Writing') from the King.[4]

The artistic roots of Thai comics can be found in paintings of local ghosts based on stories of Thai folklore, appearing during the reign of King Nangklao in the early 19th century.

Emerging era

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After the Siamese Revolution of 1932, several newspapers and magazines in Thailand started featuring cartoons and comic strips. Popular cartoonists of the time included Sawas Jutharop (Thai: สวัสดิ์ จุฑะรพ), Fuen Rod-Ari (Thai: ฟื้น รอดอริห์), Jamnong Rod-Ari (Thai: จำนงค์ รอดอริห์), Witt Sutthasatien (Thai: วิตต์ สุทธิเสถียร), and Chant Suwannaboon (Thai: ฉันท์ สุวรรณบุณย์). Sawas Jutharop, one of the popular cartoonists in the early period of Thai cartooning, is known for his notable works such as "Sang Thong" (Thai: สังข์ทอง), a fable about a boy who lives in a conch, which was published in Siam Ratsadon from 1932 to 1933. He later created more series based on Thai fables, and developed a main character named "Khun Muen" (Thai: ขุนหมื่น), who was Popeye-like in appearance and became so popular that he became a logo on young people's clothing.[5]During this time cartoons were also used to disseminate propaganda.[6]

However, the newspaper industry and comic strips were temporarily frozen during World War II.[7] After the war, Thai cartooning resumed and the period from 1953 to 1962 was called "the golden age of Thai cartoons". Among the famous and influential cartoonists of this era were Adirek Ariyamontri (Thai: อดิเรก อารยมนตรี), Mongkol Wongudom (Thai: มงคล วงศ์อุดม), Weerakul Thongnoi (Thai: วีรกุล ทองน้อย, pen name: Por. Bangplee Thai: พ. บางพลี), Pimon Kalasee (Thai: พิมล กาฬสีห์),[8] and Sa-Ngob Jampat (Thai: สงบ แจ่มพัฒน์). Prayoon Chanyawongs (Thai: ประยูร จรรยาวงศ์, pen name: Suklek and Chan) was perhaps the most celebrated cartoonist of this early period and became known as the "King of Thai Cartoon." He was the first Asian to win the International Cartoon for Peace Competition in New York in 1960 for his cartoon "The Last Nuclear Test" (Thai: การทดลองระเบิดปรมาณูลูกสุดท้าย). In 1971, he became the only cartoonist to win Asia's prestigious Magsaysay Award for his use of pictorial satire and humor in defense of the public interest for over three decades.[9][10]

Many other notable works from this era include Thunder Knight (Thai: อัศวินสายฟ้า) by Por. Bangplee, Black Lion (Thai: สิงห์ดำ)[11] by Niwat Taraphan (Thai: นิวัฒน์ ธาราพรรณ), Chaochaiphomthong (Thai: เจ้าชายผมทอง) by Julasakk Amornvej (Thai: จุลศักดิ์ อมรเวช), and many more.[12] In the same decade, a publishing company named Plaeunchit (Thai: เพลินจิต) began to publish novels or pulp fiction in the market, featuring legendary artists such as Heam Vejjakorn (Thai: เหม เวชกร), Witt Sutthasatien, and Sanea Klaykleaun (Thai: เสน่ห์ คล้ายเคลื่อน) who began their careers.[13]

Early 2000s–present

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Between the 1970s and 1980s, the comics market in Thailand was flooded with many unlicensed comics from foreign countries (most of them Japanese) for many years, until only two genres of Thai comics survived on the market: one-baht comics (Thai: การ์ตูนเล่มละบาท),[14] which were small books of comics with cheap paper that sold for only 1 baht and contained horror or ghost stories, and humor comics like Kai Hua Roh (Thai: ขายหัวเราะ) from Bunluesarn.[15][16] While some creators or publishers tried to produce quality comics or magazines, they were not very successful.[17]

During the 1990s, after fixed copyright laws were used in Thailand, every publisher in the country began to license manga from Japan legitimately,[18] and several new comics were created and inspired by Japanese manga. A notable example is Thai Comics Magazine[19] (Thai: ไทยคอมิค) from Vibulkij Publishing,[20] which had an anthology format that showcased the work of young and upcoming talented artists from various publishing companies that supported the work of Thai cartoonists.[21][22] Famous comic series like PangPond (Thai: ไอ้ตัวเล็ก), Knife 13th (Thai: มีดที่สิบสาม), JOE the SEA-CRET Agent, and Hesheit (Thai: ฮีชีอิท) shared the market with manga.[23]

In the early 2000s, many famous comics by Thai creators resurfaced, Among these famous Thai comics was Apaimanee Saga, created by Supot Anawatkochakron (Thai: สุพจน์ อนวัชกชกร, pen name: SUPOT.A), which was the first Thai comic to be translated into French.[24] PangPond, a popular comedy comic, was turned into an animation.[25] Additionally, 13 Quiz Show, a short story in the comics series My Mania (Thai: รวมเรื่องสั้นจิตหลุด), was adapted into the famous feature film 13 Beloved.[26] Chaiyan Suyawech (Thai: ชัยยันต์ สุยะเวช), also known by the pen name Tapone (Thai: ตาโปน), is a renowned cartoonist who helped elevate the Thai comic industry. He contributed to the industry with works such as The Crocodile Crisis (Thai: ไกรทอง), Khaki (Thai: กากี), Takraw (Thai: ตะกร้อ), The Cabalist (Thai: หาญสู้ผีนรก), Hot Beach: Duck & Swan (Thai: ตบแหลก), Orin and Jinna (Thai: โอริณกับจิณนา), Petch Phra Uma (Thai: เพชรพระอุมา), Luk Mai (Thai: ลูกไม้), and many others.[27][28][29]

Various publishing companies like Bunlausarn, Vibulkij, Siam Inter Comics, Nation Edutainment, Bongkoch, EQ , or Punica supported Thai artists consistently, and with a lot of movement from alternative and indie Thai comic creators like Eakasit Thairaat (Thai: เอกสิทธิ์ ไทยรัตน์), Wisut Ponnimit (Thai: วิศุทธิ์ พรนิมิตร), Ongart Chaichancheap (Thai: องอาจ ชัยชาญชีพ), Songsin Thewsomboon (Thai: ทรงศิลป์ ทิวสมบุญ), and Veerachai Duangpla (Thai: วีระชัย ดวงพลา). Magazines like Thai Comics and Let's Comics helped shape the industry for the next decade.[30][31][32][33]

Thailand's comic industry has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with the emergence of talented artists and the advent of digital platforms making it easier for readers to access their works. One such artist is Jakraphan Huaypetch (Thai: จักรพันธ์ ห้วยเพชร), also known as Ton, whose works include the football-themed comic series "The Killer Pass" (Thai: ดาวเตะฟ้าประทาน)[34] and the basketball-themed comic series "Super Dunker" (Thai: สตรีทบอลสะท้านฟ้า) have won him numerous accolades, including the Gold Award at the 3rd International Manga Awards in 2009.[35] Another notable Thai comic series is EXEcutional (Thai: เอ็กซีคิวชั่นแนล มหาสงครามออนไลน์ถล่มจักรวาล), a long-running series written and illustrated by Panuwat Wattananukul (Thai: ภานุวัฒน์ วัฒนนุกูล). The series began publication in 2006 and ran until 2022, with 50 volumes, 1 special volume (equivalent to 15.5 volumes), 3 novels, and 8 volumes of Executional Remaster being released. The series has gained a dedicated following and limited editions of the books are highly sought after.[36] In addition to EXEcutional, another standout Thai comic series is Garin's Uncanny File (Thai: การิน ปริศนาคดีอาถรรพ์), published by Punica Comic Publishing. The success of this Thai horror-fantasy themed series led to the creation of their own universe of content, including fantasy and mystery comics,[37] as seen in the anthology series Blacx Magazine.[38]

Other notable Thai cartoonists include Sinad Jaruatjanapat (Thai: สินาด จารุอรรถจนภัทร), known for his skilled illustrations in the Thai comic series "Pinto Love in a Lunchbox" (Thai: ปิ่นโต). His fine-lined artwork beautifully depicts Thai traditional food. The series has also been adapted into an animation, currently in the works.[39][40] There is also Skan Srisuwan (Thai: สกาล ศรีสุวรรณ), a veteran CG artist who collaborated with Stan Lee on a graphic novel adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet titled "Romeo & Juliet: The War",[41][42] a sci-fi adaptation of the classic novel that is planned to be adapted into a movie.[43][44] Other talented Thai cartoonists include Art Gino,[45] Pitsinee Tangkittinun,[46] and Chalisa Limpipolphaiboon (pen name: Amulin).[47] These are just a few examples of the many talented Thai cartoonists who continue to contribute to the country's rich comic culture.

With the rise of digital platforms such as Comico, Line Webtoon, Meb:E-Book, NEKOPOST, Ookbee comic, WeComics TH, Vibulkij, Facebook pages, and more, Thai comic creators have more avenues than ever to reach a wider audience. Many of these platforms offer both free and paid content, making it easier for readers to access their favorite comics from the comfort of their mobile devices.[1][48]

List of Thai comics [th]

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This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Series Author(s) Volumes Publication Publisher
Apaimanee Saga
อภัยมณี ซาก้า 		Supot Anawatkochakron 16 2001 Nation Edutaiment
Apaimanee Saga: The Pirates Dawn
อภัยมณี ซาก้า: รุ่งอรุณแห่งโจรสลัด 		Supot Anawatkochakron 17 2007 Nation Edutainment
Apaimanee Saga: The Tales Of Two Brothers
 Supot Anawatkochakron 5 2014–present Nation Edutainment
Black Lion
สิงห์ดำ[49] 		Raj Leausraung 50 1961 Various
Chaochaiphompthong
เจ้าชายผมทอง 		Jukk Bieausakul 50 1958 Various
Dying Symphony เสียงสุดท้ายแห่งท่วงทำนอง Thidaratt Seathang 18 (Complete) 2006 Vibulkij
EXEcutional
เอ็กซีคิวชั่นแนล 		Panuwat Wattananukul 50 (Complete) 2005–2022 CartoonThai Studio
Fire Head & Beansprout
ถั่วงอกกับหัวไฟ 		Songsin Theawsomboon 9 2007 a book
Garin's Uncanny File
การิน ปริศนาคดีอาถรรพ์ 		Aii/Black Tohfu 30 2008-2024 Punica Comic
Ghost Wild
ป่าผี 		Abest Limlamai 34 (Complete) 2002 Vibulkij
hesheit
ฮีชีอิท 		Wisut Ponnimit 10 B.Boyd.CG
Holiday Howl
ฮอลิเดย์ ฮาวล์ 		Gousin Jieamshuroj 20 2008 Cartoon Thai Studio
Innocent Series Veerachai Duangpla 1 (Complete) 2007 Let's Comics
JOE the SEA-CRET Agent Suthichat Saraphaiwanit 10 1998 B.Boyd.CG/Nation Edutainment
Khun Muen
ขุนหมื่น 		Sawas Jutharop
Knife 13th
มีดที่สิบสาม 		Booncherd Champrasert
Nop Withoonthong 		81

(Complete)

1994-

2024

Nation Edutainment

(Now Self Published)

LaFlora, the Princess Academy
ลา ฟลอร่า โรงเรียนป่วนก๊วนเจ้าหญิง 		Various 57 2009 E.Q.Plus
My Mania
รวมเรื่องสั้นจิตหลุด 		Eakasit Thairaat 3 2004-2014 Vibulkij Publishing/
Let's Comic
Ogre King
อหังการ์ราชันย์ยักษ์ 		Montri Kumrean/Aruntiwa Wattcharapornpongsa 21

(Complete)

2009 Cartoon Thai Studio
Send Back
เซ็นด์แบ็ค 		Nuttapol Kittikunatam 6

(cancel)

2009 Cartoon Thai Studio
Super Dunker
สตรีทบอลสะท้านฟ้า 		Chakapan Huaiphet 12 (Complete) 2009 Banluesarn
Super Bamboo Shoot
ซูเปอร์หน่อไม้ แสบนี้ไม่มีเบรค[50] 		Adisak Phongsamphan 47 2001 Vibulkij
The Killer Pass
ดาวเตะฟ้าประทาน 		Chakapan Huaiphet Web Comics 2020 TKO Comics
The Mavericks
เดอะ มาเวอริคส์ 		Danai Samutkojorn/Kampol Seeaw 6

(cancel)

2013 Nation Edutainment
The Spirit King
ล่าพันธุ์สมิง 		Aekkaphop Lakornkeaw 38 (Complete) 2007 Vibulkij
Thunder Knight
อัศวินสายฟ้า 		Weerakul Thongnoi 19 1957 Various
Watermelon Head
หัวแตงโม 		Aongart Chaichancheap 5 2003 Self Published

Weekly comic books

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See also

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References

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AIn Thailand, satirical cartoons are commonly known as "Paap Lor," which translates to "parodic image".[56]
BIt's important to note that the Thai word "katun" (Thai: การ์ตูน), which is a transcription of the English loanword "cartoon", usually refers specifically to the comics form.[56]
  1. ^ a b พาชม 'นิทรรศการหนังสือ การ์ตูนไทย ไฉไล กว่าที่คิด'
  2. ^ a b c Karuchit 2014, p. 76.
  3. ^ a b John A. 2015, p. 225.
  4. ^ Karuchit 2014, p. 77.
  5. ^ Karuchit 2014, pp. 77–79.
  6. ^ "Drawing a perfect Thailand". Bangkok Post. 2015-10-19. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  7. ^ "1941-1945".
  8. ^ "1952-1956".
  9. ^ Karuchit 2014, p. 79.
  10. ^ Verstappen 2017, p. 31.
  11. ^ "สิงห์ดำ".
  12. ^ "1957-1963 บ้านการ์ตูนไทยหอสมุดวังท่าพระ".
  13. ^ "1927-1932".
  14. ^ "สารคดีการ์ตูนผีเล่มละบาท". 10 July 2021.
  15. ^ "1978-1982 บ้านการ์ตูนไทยหอสมุดวังท่าพระ".
  16. ^ "1984-1987 บ้านการ์ตูนไทยหอสมุดวังท่าพระ".
  17. ^ นิตยสารนิยายภาพในยุคนั้นบางส่วน
  18. ^ "พระราชบัญญัติลิขสิทธ์".
  19. ^ Thai Comics No. 1 October 1992
  20. ^ Kurathong, Nirawan A Brief History of Thai Comics and Graphic Novels (2010). LET'S Comic Publishing. ISBN 978-616-90128-6-3, P.82-85
  21. ^ "1992 บ้านการ์ตูนไทยหอสมุดวังท่าพระ".
  22. ^ นิตยสารการ์ตูนไทยร่วมสมัย 1989-2007
  23. ^ Kurathong, Nirawan A Brief History of Thai Comics and Graphic Novels (2010). LET'S Comic Publishing. ISBN 978-616-90128-6-3, P.81-120
  24. ^ "lambiek.net".
  25. ^ "วิธิตา".
  26. ^ "สัมภาษณ์เอกสิทธิ์".
  27. ^ ย้อนรำลึกถึง ตาโปน
  28. ^ ตาโปน นักวาด-นักเขียนการ์ตูนไทยรุ่นบุกเบิกเสียชีวิตแล้ววันนี้, September 26, 2019
  29. ^ คอการ์ตูนเศร้า สิ้น ตาโปน ชัยยันต์ สุยะเวช, September 28, 2019
  30. ^ "องอาจชัยชาญชีพ".
  31. ^ "let'scomic".
  32. ^ "ทรงศิลป์ทิวสมบุญ". 30 March 2018.
  33. ^ "วิศุทธิ์พรนิมิตร". 28 June 2017.
  34. ^ "TKP: การ์ตูนกีฬา ที่สะท้อนคุณค่าฟุตบอลได้หลายมิติ", stadiumth, August 14, 2020
  35. ^ "งานแสดงความยินดีนักเขียนการ์ตูนไทยคว้ารางวัลนักเขียนการ์ตูนแห่งปีจากญี่ปุ่นครั้งแรกในงาน The Third International MANGA Award". ryt9. December 15, 2009.
  36. ^ Executional มหาสงครามออนไลน์ถล่มจักรวาล - การ์ตูนไทยที่ยังหายใจ, December 31, 2019
  37. ^ Sarakadee Magazine no.376 June 2016."การินจอมเวทย์การ์ตูนไทย" P.108-111
  38. ^ http://www.resource.lib.su.ac.th/cartoon/web/timeline?timeline=2554/2011&menu=timeline 2011
  39. ^ Natthanan Chalermphanat (February 1, 2019), 'ปิ่นโต' มังงะสัญชาติไทยที่ สินาด จารุอรรถจนภัทร พักงานวาดรูปของคนอื่น ไปสู่ความฝันที่วาดขึ้นเอง
  40. ^ คุยกับเหล่าผู้สร้าง "ปิ่นโต" จากคอมมิคไทยสู่อนิเมชั่นจอเงิน !!, January 21, 2019
  41. ^ Interviewd Skan Srisuwan, Let's Comic No.12/2011 January
  42. ^ Work, Max; Lee, Stan; Dougas, Terry (28 December 2011). Romeo and Juliet: The War. 1821 Comics. ISBN 978-0983935018.
  43. ^ Romeo and Juliet: The War ผลงานร่วมมือกันระหว่างคนไทยและ Stan Lee ได้ประกาศสร้างเป็นหนังแล้ว, December 11, 2015
  44. ^ Romeo and Juliet: The War Article From Entertainment Weekly
  45. ^ ""อาร์ต จีโน" นักวาดการ์ตูนไทย คว้ารางวัลมังงะนานาชาติ 2 ปีซ้อน". May 2, 2015.
  46. ^ Asaree Thaitrakulpanich (December 16, 2019). "THAI MANGA ABOUT NORTHERN FOOD WINS SILVER AT JAPAN MANGA AWARDS".
  47. ^ "ชาลิสา ลิมปิผลไพบูลย์ นักเขียนสุดเบียวกับจินตนาการแสนวุ่นวายใน Webtoon เรื่องฮิต บุษบาเสี่ยงตรีน" (in Thai). December 13, 2022.
  48. ^ 2561-2562
  49. ^ สิงห์ดำ
  50. ^ super heroในการ์ตูนไทย
  51. ^ ขายหัวเราะ Magazine
  52. ^ มหาสนุก Magazine
  53. ^ Dek D - Thai weekly comic books
  54. ^ เอ๊าะ หนูหิ่นอินเตอร์ Writer
  55. ^ 2000 บ้านการ์ตูนไทย
  56. ^ a b Verstappen 2017, p. 7.
Sources

Further reading

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  • Kurathong, Nirawan A Brief History of Thai Comics and Graphic Novels (2010). LET'S Comic Publishing. ISBN 978-616-90128-6-3.
  • Verstappen, Nicolas THE ART OF THAI COMICS: A CENTURY OF STRIPS AND STRIPES . River Books (2021) ISBN 978-6-164-51036-4.
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  • Time Line In Thai Language 1917 - 2019 (เพจบ้านการ์ตูนไทยหอสมุดวังท่าพระ พ.ศ.2460-2562)[1]
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