It was a project that started out with the best of intentions. Two authors from Sweden hoping to spread a message of hope by documenting the story of one child overcoming the tragedy of the Asian Tsunami.
The authors were very specific about their needs. They wanted the subject of their book to be a boy, enrolled in school and about ten years old. The boy’s father should be a fisherman who lost his boat in the Tsunami and has since then received assistance to buy a new boat (hopefully from the Swedish King).
Also the boy should be willing and able to travel to a prestigious book fair in Gothenburg, Sweden to help promote the book for the publisher.
This led them to Kay Sayluu, a 12-year old boy living in Lanta Old Town. Kay’s family had not only lost the two long-tail boats they rely on for fishing but their home as well. Author Johanna Starkenberg-Frojd and photographer Anna Rehnberg spent a week with Kay and his family, documenting their struggle to rebuild their lives following the tragedy.
The result is a beautiful hardcover book, “Kay from Koh Lanta”, of which Kay and his family received a few copies and a small amount of money. The family never signed an official release form of permission to publish Kay’s story but trusted that a portion of the books proceeds would be forthcoming to help jump start Kay’s education.
Those proceeds and the promised trip to Sweden for Kay never materialized, baffling Kay’s family who were excited by the prospect of Kay’s chance at a continuing education. LL Forlaget Publishing, which sells the book online for 120 SEK (562 Baht), have refused, after several polite requests by locals, to make a donation to Kay’s education fund. A representative of the publishing firm expressed regret offering only the limited market in Sweden for children’s books as an excuse. Now locals are seriously considering legal action to right this injustice.
Anyone interested in making a donation to Kay’s education fund, which will be managed by Kay’s parents, can contact them at helpkay@lantalongtail.com.
May 2, 2008 at 3:15 pm |
Nice to discover your blog. Lots of good stuff here. … You’ve done a great job of outlining the story…Thanks
May 7, 2008 at 7:03 pm |
Considering so many Swedish citizens enjoy the beaches and accomodations on beautiful Koh Lanta every year, why are they not outraged at their countrymen’s “abuse” of Kay’s story? I have donated to Kay’s education fund and I encourage everyone to do so as well.
May 31, 2008 at 3:30 am |
The Swedish Embassy has been informed about it ? I’m not a lawyer but I’m wondering if there is an international copyright law that can give to this child the right compensation ? Will be nice to listen an explanation by the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok .
June 20, 2008 at 9:54 pm |
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July 13, 2008 at 10:39 pm |
I’m sorry to hear that this issue has still not been resolved. I think they are hoping that if they ignore it, it will just go away. I agree that it would be worthwhile to contact the Swedish Embassy at this point and see what help you can get from them. I’m glad that Kay is continuing on with his English education, and I will contact his family at the email address above to make a donation. He’s a lovely boy and doesn’t deserve to be slighted in this way!