TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. CHARACTERISTERICS OF THAILAND LITERATURE

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.
Early Thai literature was primarily concerned with religion and until the mid-19th
century was in verse form. Thai verse was written exclusively by the aristocracy or royalty,
the only educated classes able to do so. The tradition of authorship by kings can be seen in
all periods of the country’s history, from Sukhothai up to Bangkok. Two Chakri monarchs,
King Rama II (1809-1824) and King Rama VI (1910-1925), were distinguished poets and
stalwart patrons of Thai arts.

One of the most important Thai literary works is the Ramakian, a uniquely Thai version
of the Indian epic, the Ramayana. Early Thai versions of the Ramakian were lost in the
destruction of Ayutthaya. The longest of the three present versions was written in 1798 by
the first Chakri King, Rama I, and a group of intimates, who incorporated Thai and Buddhist
elements into it to preserve the oral knowledge of Ayutthaya state rites and traditions.
Indeed, King Rama I’s Ramakian is the major historical source of medieval Thai courtly
traditions.

King Rama II composed two episodes of the Ramakian for classical drama purposed and
wrote several other epic poems, including the Inao, a romance with a Javanese background.
The Inao is a treasure trove of historical information on early 19th-century Thai customs,
habits, and manners and figures prominently in the repertoire of classical drama.

Another major Thai literary figure was Sunthon Phu (1786-1855), a poetic genius and
well-beloved commoner. Sunthon Phu’s enduring achievement (apart from his legendary
personal adventures) was to write superbly well in common language about common
feelings and the common folk. Easily understood by all classes, his work became widely
accepted. His major works were Phra Aphai Mani, a romantic adventure, and nine Nirats
mostly written during a pilgrimage, associating romantic memories with the places he visited
in central and eastern Thailand.

Both King Rama V and Rama VI were also distinguished writers whose creativity
contained the rich intellectual heritage in several proses and verse forms. Among
outstanding literary works of King Rama V were Ngo Pa and the well-known collection of Klai
Ban or Far Away from Home, on his journey to Europe in 1906-7. Those well-known works of
 King Rama VI were Matthana Phatha, Phra non-Kham Luang, and several patriotic articles
entitled, Muang Thai Chong Tun Thoet or Wake up-all Thais, etc.

An outstanding writer and scholar was Phya Anuman Rajadhon, who was born in 1888
and died in 1969. Interested in all aspects of Thai culture, from language to folklore, Phya
Anuman wrote dozens of books on such subjects and served as an inspiration to numerous
younger Thais who are now prominent in academic fields.

Moving into the modern age about 1900 onward, most of the Thai readers are well
acquainted with the work of Dokmaisod whose real name is M.L. Boobpha
Nimmanhaemindha. She was a novelist in the pioneering age. Her best-known works were
for example, Phu Di, Nung Nai Roi, Nit, Chaichana Khong Luang Naruban, etc. Many of her
works have been assigned as books for external reading for students at the secondary and
tertiary levels of education today.
A. TITLE : “SAWATDEE....HELLO, BEAUTIFUL BANGKOK” by Ethel Soliven-
Timbol
Bangkok known as Krun Thep, which is Thai for "City of Angels," beckons with its golden roofed
temples and spicily curried cuisine. Seven million visitors come to Thailand each year spending an
average of six to seven days because there is so much to see and to relish in this "Exotic Orient" as one
enamored traveller dubbed the country.

Our agenda for the first day of our tour started with a tour of Wat Po. One of the 370 temples in
Bangkok alone, it is home to the famous Reclining Buddha, which is said to be 46 meters long. Also
world–famous are the golden Buddha at the Wat Trinig ("wat" being Thai for "temple") and the dazzling
Emerald Buddha. There are 2100 temples in all of Thailand, where 90 percent of the people are
Buddhists.

Our loquacious guide regales us with the colorful history of Bangkok and how it became the
imperial city 300 years ago, when the god-king Rama I moved the royal residence to this side of the Chao
Phraya River. Today, a boat excursion takes visitors on a tour of the old city, winding down the "klong"
canals for a glimpse of the water dwellers and the ancient edifices, remnants of an era when Rama I
divided his city into three sections: for the Thais, the Chinese and the Indians. The best buys of Thai silks,
spices and crafts are still at the riverside markets where one can also produce gold, jade and other
precious jewelry.

Not to be missed are the Temple of the Dawn along the Chao Phraya, a showcase of Chinese
porcelain mosaics, and the Temple of the Giant Swing for some of the finest murals. Only for strong
knees is the Temple of the Golden Mount, atop a climb of 300 steps, housing one of the largest bronze
buddhas in the world.

The Reclining Buddha was shipped from China by King Rama I, who also built the Wat Po Temple
on a 20-hectare compound adjacent to the Royal Palace, circa 1782, in the 2222-old Chinese section. The
King had also brought with him excellent samples of porcelain, which the court artisans used to decorate
pagodas using their elaborate spires. At the main temple, devotees buy one–inch gold leaf squares which
they stick to smaller buddhas as offering to their god.

Everyday, morning ceremonies are held at an adjacent temple surrounded by four magnificent
monuments: the first in red built by Rama I; the second in yellow, by Rama II; the third in green by Rama
III; and the fourth in blue, by Rama IV. Just as fascinating is the sala tree under which, according to
legend, Buddha was born (although in India). Its pink and red flowers are sweet-smelling, a contrast to
the brown gourd which are the ―fruit ―of the sala tree.

To cap a hectic first day, we had dinner at the Baa Thai Restaurant while watching heavily
costumed folk dancers from the lowland and highland villages, including favorite destinations, like
Chiang Mai, the second largest city up north, from whence one can visit the winter palace of the Royal
Family and the training school for working elephants.

Amazingly, Bangkok is clean, especially the day after Wednesday, which is "Clean Up Day"
according to our guide. So the sidewalk eateries are relatively sanitary, although foreign visitors are
advised to stick to bottled mineral water or soft drinks. In spite of the colossal traffic jams, no thanks to
the ubiquitous "toktok" pedicabs the air smells cleaner and less polluted than in Manila.

B. SETTINGS
Wat Po
Wat Trimit
Golden Mount
Chao Phraya
Chiang mai river
Baa Restaurant
Golden Swing

C. CHARACTERS