Literature in Thailand
Encyclopedia
Thai literature was traditionally heavily influenced by Indian culture
. Thailand
's national epic
is a version of the Ramayana
called the Ramakien
. A number of versions of the epic were lost in the destruction of Ayutthaya
in 1767. Three versions currently exist: one of these was prepared under the supervision (and partly written by) King Rama I. His son, Rama II
, rewrote some parts for khon drama. The main differences from the original are an extended role for the monkey god Hanuman
and the addition of a happy ending
.
The most important poet in Thai literature was Sunthorn Phu
, who is best known for his romantic adventure story Phra Aphai Mani and nine travel pieces called Nirats.
Kings Rama V and Rama VI were also writers, mainly of non-fiction
works as part of their programme to combine Western
knowledge with traditional Thai culture.
20th century Thai writers have tended to produce light fiction rather than literature for a burgeoning literature market. But increasingly, individual writers are being recognized for producing more serious works, including writers like Kukrit Pramoj
, Kulap Saipradit
, (penname Siburapha), Botan
, and others. Some of the their works have been translated into English. The Isan
region of Thailand has produced two notably sociocritical writers in Khamsing Srinawk
and Pira Sudham
. Notably, Pira Sudham writes in English.
Thailand has had a wealth of expatriate writers in the 20th century as well.
The Bangkok Writers Group is currently publishing fiction by Indian author G.Y. Gopinath, the fabulist A.D. Thompson, as well as non-fiction by Gary Dale Cearley.
Culture of India
India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food and customs differ from place to place within the country, but nevertheless possess a commonality....
. Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
's national epic
National epic
A national epic is an epic poem or a literary work of epic scope which seeks or is believed to capture and express the essence or spirit of a particular nation; not necessarily a nation-state, but at least an ethnic or linguistic group with aspirations to independence or autonomy...
is a version of the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
called the Ramakien
Ramakien
The Ramakian is Thailand's national epic, derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana....
. A number of versions of the epic were lost in the destruction of Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya (city)
Ayutthaya city is the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. Located in the valley of the Chao Phraya River. The city was founded in 1350 by King U Thong, who went there to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya...
in 1767. Three versions currently exist: one of these was prepared under the supervision (and partly written by) King Rama I. His son, Rama II
Buddha Loetla Nabhalai
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Isarasundhorn Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai , or Rama II , was the second monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1809-1824. In 1809, Isarasundhorn succeeded his father Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the founder of Chakri dynasty, as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai...
, rewrote some parts for khon drama. The main differences from the original are an extended role for the monkey god Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
and the addition of a happy ending
Happy ending
A happy ending is an ending of the plot of a work of fiction in which almost everything turns out for the best for the protagonists, their sidekicks, and almost everyone except the villains....
.
The most important poet in Thai literature was Sunthorn Phu
Sunthorn Phu
Phra Sunthorn Vohara, known as Sunthorn Phu, is Thailand’s best-known royal poet. He was active in the Rattanakosin era....
, who is best known for his romantic adventure story Phra Aphai Mani and nine travel pieces called Nirats.
Kings Rama V and Rama VI were also writers, mainly of non-fiction
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
works as part of their programme to combine Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
knowledge with traditional Thai culture.
20th century Thai writers have tended to produce light fiction rather than literature for a burgeoning literature market. But increasingly, individual writers are being recognized for producing more serious works, including writers like Kukrit Pramoj
Kukrit Pramoj
Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj was a Thai politician and scholar. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand 1973-1974 and was the thirteenth Prime Minister of Thailand, serving in office from 1975-1976.- Early years:Of royal descent, M.R...
, Kulap Saipradit
Kulap Saipradit
Kulap Saipradit was a newspaper editor and one of the foremost Thai novelists of his time. He was a vocal activist for human rights and because of this, he ran afoul of the authorities and was jailed for more than four years...
, (penname Siburapha), Botan
Botan
Botan may refer to:*The Japanese name for the Peony*Botan , a fictional character in the anime and manga series YuYu Hakusho....
, and others. Some of the their works have been translated into English. The Isan
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
region of Thailand has produced two notably sociocritical writers in Khamsing Srinawk
Khamsing Srinawk
Khamsing Srinawk is a writer from the Isan region of Thailand. He writes under the pen-name Law khamhɔ̌ɔm . He was named a National Artist in Literature in 1992 and is best known for his satirical short stories published in his 1958 collection Fáa Bɔ̀ Kân [The Sky is No Barrier]...
and Pira Sudham
Pira Sudham
Pira Sudham Thai พีระ สุธรรม) is a writer from the Isan Region of Thailand. He was born to a family of poor rice farmers in Napo Village, Buriram Province. At the age of fourteen he left his home village for Bangkok to become a servant to Buddhist monks in a monastery where he also attended a...
. Notably, Pira Sudham writes in English.
Thailand has had a wealth of expatriate writers in the 20th century as well.
The Bangkok Writers Group is currently publishing fiction by Indian author G.Y. Gopinath, the fabulist A.D. Thompson, as well as non-fiction by Gary Dale Cearley.