The S.E.A. Write Award, or Southeast Asian Writers Award, is an award that is presented annually since 1979 to poets and writers of Southeast Asia.

S.E.A. Write Award logo

The awards are given to the writers from each of the countries comprised in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, though not all countries in ASEAN are represented every year. The award is sometimes given for a specific work by an author, or it could be awarded for lifetime achievement. The types of works that are honored vary, and have included poetry, short stories, novels, plays, folklore, and scholarly and religious works.

The ceremonies are held in Bangkok, with a member of the Thai royal family presiding. The award was conceived by the management of The Oriental hotel in Bangkok, which then sought further backing from Thai Airways International and other companies. The ceremonies have featured some notable guest speakers, including Iris Murdoch, Peter Ustinov, Jeffrey Archer, James A. Michener, Gore Vidal, William Golding, Rita Dove and Paul Theroux. The 2006 keynote speaker, Nobel Prize laureate Wole Soyinka canceled his keynote speech in protest against the Thai military's coup against the government,[1] and was replaced at the last moment by S. P. Somtow.

The 2011 ceremony was postponed until February 2012 because of the 2011 Thailand floods. Edwin Thumboo was the keynote speaker.[2] The 2016–18 ceremonies were postponed due to the passing of the Thai king in 2016. The three Singaporean winners received their awards in November 2019.[3]

List of S.E.A. Write Award winners

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1979–1989

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Until 1984, ASEAN comprised Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei was admitted in 1984 and its first S.E.A. Write honoree was named in 1986.

Year Brunei[4] Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Singapore[5] Thailand
1979-Sutardji Calzoum BachriA. Samad SaidJolico CuadraEdwin ThumbooKampoon Boonthawee
1980-Putu WijayaBaharuddin Zainal (Baha Zain)Nick JoaquinMasuri bin Salikun[6]Naowarat Pongpaiboon
1981-Goenawan MohamadAbdullah HussainGregorio C. BrillantesWong Meng Voon 黄孟文Ussiri Dhammachote
1982-Marianne KatoppoUsman AwangAdrian CristobalM. Balakrishnan (Ma Ilangkannan)Chart Korbjitti
1983-Y. B. MangunwijayaAdibah AminEdilberto K. TiempoArthur YapKomtuan Khantanu (Prasatporn Poosusilapadhorn)
1984-Budi DarmaA. Latiff MohidinVirginia R. MorenoWong Yoon WahWanich Jarungidanan
1985-Abdul Hadi Wiji MuthariArena Wati (Muhammad Dahalan bin Abdul Biang)Ricaredo DemetilloNoor S.I. (Ismail bin Haji Omar)Krisna Asokesin (Sukanya Cholsuk)
1986Muslim Burmat (Haji Muslim bin Haji Burut)Sapardi Djoko Damono Kemala (Ahmad Kamal Abdullah)Jose Maria SisonParanan (C. Veloo)Angkarn Kalayanapong
1987Yahya bin Haji IbrahimUmar KayamNoordin HassanBienvenido N. SantosLee Tzu PhengPaitoon Thanya (Thanya Sangkapanthanon)
1988Leman Ahmad (Haji Leman bin Ahmad)DanartoAzizi Haji AbdullahRio Alma (Virgilio S. Almario)Leou Pei Ann (Chua Boon Hean)Nikom Rayawa
1989Adi Kelana (Haji bin Haji Muhamad Said)Gerson PoykSiti Zainon IsmailLina Espina MooreSuratman MarkasanChiranan Pitpreecha

1990–1994

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1995–1999

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Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995 and named its first S.E.A. Write honoree in 1996. Laos and Myanmar were admitted in 1997 and named their first honorees in 1998. Cambodia joined ASEAN in 1999, and named its first S.E.A. Write honoree that same year.

Year Brunei[4] Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore[5] Thailand Vietnam
1995P.H. Muhammad Abdul Aziz-Ahmad Tohari-Suhaimi Haji Muhammad-Teodoro T AntonioDan Ying (Lew Poo Chan)Paiwarin Khao-Ngam-
1996Pengiran Haji Sabtu bin Pengiran Haji Mohamad Salleh-W.S. Rendra-Zaharah Nawawi-Mike L. BigorniaMinfong HoKanokphong SongsomphanTo Huu
1997Awang Mohammad bin Haji Timbang-Seno Gumira Ajidarma-Muhammad Haji Salleh-Alejandro RocesElangovanWin Lyovarin-
1998Badaruddin H.O.-N. RiantiarnoThongkham OnemanisoneOthman PutehSinbyu-Kyun Aung TheinMarne L. KilatesAbdul Ghani HamidRaekham Pradouykham (Suphan Thongklouy)Ma Van Khang
1999Norsiah M.S. (Mohd Shahri bin Pokjlaid Haji Md Hussin)Pich Tum KravelKuntowijoyo MA.Chanthi DeuanesavanhKhadijah HashimKyaw AungOphelia Alcantara DimalantaCatherine LimWin LyovarinHuu Thinh

2000s

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Year Brunei[4] Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore[5] Thailand Vietnam
2000Pehin Dato Abdul Aziz bin JunedKong Bun ChhoeunWisran HadiSouvanthone BouphanouvongLim Swee TinDaw Yin Yin (Saw Mon Nyin)Antonio EnriquezTeoh Hee La 张曦娜Wimon SainimnuanNguyen Khai
2001Rahim M.S. (Awang Haji Ibrahin bin Haji Muhammad)Mao AyuthSaini K.M. (Saini Kosim)Somsy DexakhamphouZakaria AriffinHtin Gyi (Tekkatho Htin Gyi)Felice Prudente Sta. MariaK. T. M. Iqbal(Mohamed Iqbal)Chokchai Bundit (Chokchai Bunditsilasak)Nguyen Duc Mau
2002Rosli Abidin YahyaSeng Sam AnDarmanto JatmanViseth Svengsuksa|Viseth SvengsuksaAnwar Ridhwan-Roberto T. AñonuevoMohamed Latiff bin Mohamed Prabda Yoon Nguyen Kien
2003Hashim bin Haji Abdul HamidKim PinunNh. DiniTheap VongpakayZakaria Ali-Domingo G. LandichoPhilip JeyaretnamDuanwad PimwanaBang Viet
2004Jawawi bin Haji AhmadChey ChapGus tf SakaiThongbay PhothisaneZurinah Hassan-César Ruiz AquinoSoon Ai Ling 孙爱玲Rewat PhanpipatDo Chu
2005Rahimi A.B.Miech PonnAcep Zamzam NoorBounseune SengmanyAbdul Ghafar Ibrahim-Malou JacobP. KrishnanBinlah Sonkalagiri (Wuthichat Choomsanit)Phu Tram
2006Sawal RajabPal Vannarirak[7]Sitor SitumorangDouangdeuane BounyavongJong Chian Lai-Victor Emmanuel Carmelo D. Nadera, Jr.Isa KamariNgarmpun VejjajivaLe Van Thao
2007Haji Moksin bin Haji Abdul KadirOurn SuphanySuparto BrataRatanavong HoumphanhProf. Rahman Shaari-Michael M. CorozaRex ShelleyMontri SriyongTran Van Tuan
2008[8]Zairis M.S.Sin TouchHamsad RangkutiOthong KhaminsouHatta Azad Khan-Elmer Alindogan OrdonezStella Kon[9]Vachara Sajasarasin (Vachara Phetchphromsorn)Nguyen Ngoc Tu
2009Hajah Norsiah binti Haji Abdul Gapar-Floribertus RahardiKhamseng SynonthongAzmah Nordin-Abdon Jr BaldeChia Hwee PhengUthis HaemamoolCao Duy Son

2010s

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Year Brunei[4] Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore[5] Thailand Vietnam
2010[10]Wijaya (Awang Mohd Jamil)-Afrizal MalnaDara KanlayaZaen Kasturi-Marjorie EvascoJohar Bin BuangZakariya AmatayaNguyen Nhat Anh
2011[2]Mohd Zefri Ariff bin Mohd Zain Ariff-D Zawawi ImronBounthanong XomxaypholS.M. Zakir-Romulo P. Baquiran Jr.Robert Yeo Cheng ChuanJadet Kamjorndej[11]Nguyen Chi Trung
2012[12]Pengiran Haji Mahmud bin Pengiran Damit (Mahmudamit)-Oka RusminiDuangxay LuangphasyIsmail Kassan-Charlson Ong OngSuchen Christine LimWipas SrithongTrung Trung Dinh
2013[13]Haji Masri Haji IdrisSok ChanphalLinda ChristantySoukhee NorasilpMohamed Ghozali Abdul RashidMaung Sein WinRebecca T Anonuevo-CunadaYeng Pway NgonAngkarn ChanthathipThai Ba Loi
2014Haji Mohd Yusuf bin Haji Mohd DaudVar Sam AthJoko PinurboSomsouk SouksavathMd. Ismail ZamzamDaw Khin ThanJun Cruz ReyesHaresh Parmanand SharmaSaneh Sangsuk (Dan-arun Saengthong)[14]Thanh Thảo

(Ho Thanh Cong)

2015Haji Abdul Aziz bin TuahKho TararithRemy SyladoPhonesavanh PhanthavichithJasni Matlani Ledwinthar Saw Chit Jerry B. GracioJamaludeen Mohamed SaliVeeraporn Nitiprapha, Saiduean Ta Bod Nai Khaowongkot ("Blind Earthworms in a Labyrinth")[15]Tran Mai Hanh
2016[16]Haji Jamaluddin bin AsparProeng PranitSoubanh LuangrathRejab bin IsmailAung CheimtBienveindo LumberaOvidia YuPhalang Phiangphirun (Kirksit Palamart), Nakhorn Kon Nork ("The City of Outsiders")[17]Nguyen The Quang
2017[16]Haji Mahadi Bin Haji Matarsat (Mahadi R.S.)Lek ChumnorSomchay ChanthavongZainal Abidin SuhailiChit Oo NyoKristian Sendon CorderoChia Joo MingJidanun Lueangpiansamut, Singto Nork Khok ("The Unorthodox Lion")[18]Tran Hung
2018[16]Tarif bin Haji Abdul HamidPol PiseyPhiulavanh LuangvannaMawar SafeiMa ThidaRicardo Monreal de UngriaGoh Mey TeckVeeraporn Nitiprapha, Phutthasakkarat Asadong Kub Song Jam Khong Song Jam Khong Maew Kularb Dam ("Memories of the Memories of the Black Rose Cat")[19]Le Minh Khue
2019 Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Tamat (Salmi Mesra) Eka Kurniawan Shamsudin Othman John Iremil Teodoro, Pagngaran sa Elepante (Naming the Elephant) [20] Simon Tay Angkarn Chanthathip, Rawang Tang Klub Ban ("On The Way Back Home")[21] Tran Quang Dao

2020s

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Year Brunei[4] Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore[5] Thailand Vietnam
2020 Haji Bujang bin Haji Matnor (Bujang M.N.) Pech Sangwawan Leila Chudori Pyait Hlaing Oo (Pandora) Christina Pantoja-Hidalgo, Pagan: City of Four Million Pagodas [22] Nadiputra Jadet Kamjorndej, Kuen Pee Suea Lae Ruang Lao Khong Sat Uen Uen ("That Night of the Year of the Tiger and Other Animal Stories")[23] Vo Khac Nghiem
2021 Dr. Haji Morsidi bin Haji Muhamad (Morsidi M.H) Yanusa Nugroho Nat Mout Ah Ni Cho Nicholas B. Pichay, Tanaw Mula sa Court of Appeals (View from the Court of Appeals) [22] Chua Chee Lay Siriworn Kaewkan, Defun ("The Story of Defun")[24] Vinh Quyen
2022 Pengiran Haji Shamsu bin Pengiran Haji Kadar Palita Phonpradapphet, Jon Kwa Lok Ja Ob Kod Rao Wai ("Until We Lie The World's Embrace")[25] Nguyen Binh Phuong, Mot vi du xoang (An ordinary example)[26]
2023 Chong Ah Fok Narisapongse Rakwattananont, Duai Rak Lae Phuphang ("Family Comes First")[27] Nguyen Mot, Tu gio thu sau den gio thu chin (From the sixth to the ninth hour)[26]
2024 Hajah Nur Hamizah binti Haji Samihon, Dua Puluh Matin Suryajaya Panya Phanthaphanith Roslan Bin Jomel Knin Thandar Edgar Calabia Samar Prasertsak Padmarid, Kee Bad[28] Nguyen Tham Thein Ke
2025 Dorothea Rosa Herliany Bounthavy Komphaphanh Hafizah Binti Iszahanid Ohn Maung Ralph Lorenz Gapac Fonte Siwakarn Pathumsoot, Ik Fak Dan Kadan Hok[29] Pham Thi Xuan Ban

References

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  1. "Why artistic freedom matters". The Nation. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2006.
  2. 1 2 "Eight ways with words". The Nation. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  3. "THREE SINGAPORE WRITERS TO RECEIVE S.E.A. WRITE AWARD ON 25 NOV" (PDF). Singapore Book Council. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Utama - Pengiktirafan - Anugerah Penulis Asia Tenggara (S.E.A Write Award)". www.dbp.gov.bn. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Book Council. Retrieved 29 September 2014 from http://bookcouncil.sg/awards/detail/s.e.a-write-award Archived 19 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Masuri Salikun (Masuri S. N.)". esplanade.com. TributeSG. 2019. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  7. "Cine Adobo". yama.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  8. "Hatta wins Southeast Asian Writers Award". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 October 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  9. "Stella Kon". Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  10. "The outstanding eight". Bangkok Post. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  11. "Modern and classic Thai short stories in English". Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  12. "A fitting ripost". Bangkok Post. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  13. "Asean's top writers". The Nation. 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  14. Past Awardees Archived 5 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine, www.seawrite.com
  15. "SEA Write award goes to new novelist Veeraporn". Bangkok Post. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 "The S.E.A. Write Award Ceremony". Asian Geographic. 13 December 2019.
  17. "กวีนิพนธ์ "นครคนนอก" ของ พลัง เพียงพิรุฬห์ คว้าซีไรต์ 2559". Post Today (in Thai). 23 December 2016. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  18. "'สิงโตนอกคอก' ของ จิดานันท์ เหลืองเพียรสมุท คว้ารางวัลซีไรต์ปี 2017". Thairath (in Thai). 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  19. "รางวัลซีไรต์ 2561 ชื่นชม! "วีรพร นิติประภา" คว้าเป็นครั้งที่ 2 สำเร็จ". SpringNews (in Thai). 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  20. "S.E.A. WRITE AWARD CEREMONY CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING LITERARY ACHIEVEMENTS". bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  21. "ระหว่างทางกลับบ้าน โดย อังคาร จันทาทิพย์ คว้าซีไรต์ 62 ดับเบิลกวีซีไรต์คนแรกของไทย". Sarakadee Lite (in Thai). 9 June 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  22. 1 2 "S.E.A. WRITE AWARD CEREMONY CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING LITERARY ACHIEVEMENTS". bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  23. "จเด็จ กำจรเดช คว้ารางวัลซีไรต์ จากผลงาน "คืนปีเสือและเรื่องเล่าของสัตว์อื่นๆ"". Prachachat (in Thai). 16 October 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  24. ""เดฟั่น" ของ ศิริวร แก้วกาญจน์ คว้าซีไรต์ 2564". Thai PBS (in Thai). 10 January 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  25. ""ปาลิตา ผลประดับเพ็ชร์" คว้าซีไรต์ 2565 จากเรื่อง "จนกว่าโลกจะโอบกอดเราเอาไว้"". Thai PBS (in Thai). 2 December 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  26. 1 2 Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (26 November 2024). "Two Vietnamese win S.E.A. Write Award". Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  27. "'ด้วยรักและผุพัง' ผลงานของ นริศพงศ์ รักวัฒนานนท์ จากแซลมอน คว้าซีไรต์ประจำปี 2566". The Standard (in Thai). 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  28. ""กี่บาด" คว้ารางวัลซีไรต์ปี 2567 ประเภทนวนิยาย ผลงาน ประเสริฐศักดิ์ ปัดมะริด". Khao Sod (in Thai). 29 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  29. ""อีกฟากด้านกระดานหก" โดย ศิวกานท์ ปทุมสูติ คว้ากวีนิพนธ์ซีไรต์ 2568". Thai PBS (in Thai). 8 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
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