Journal of Thai Studies

Honor, Wealth and Power: Folklore and Identity of the People and Communities in the “Buffalo Racing Tradition” in Chonburi Province

2024-04-11T07:46:16+07:00

Background and objective (s): The research for this article aimed to study the value and significance of the “buffalo racing tradition” that impacts the people and communities of Chonburi province from a folklore perspective.

Methodology: For this research, two groups of data were collected: 1) data from documents on beliefs, narratives, buffalo rituals and the historical background of the “buffalo racing tradition” and 2) data from fieldwork conducted between 2022 and 2023 in 32 communities where the “buffalo racing tradition” is practiced, as well as from interviews with people knowledgeable about buffaloes in Chonburi, buffalo keepers in Chonburi, folk of communities where the “buffalo racing tradition” is practiced, and officials from government agencies responsible for organizing the “buffalo racing tradition.” Then, the data were analyzed based on the concept of identity.

Main result: The study found that buffalo keepers in Chonburi province have been using various folklore traditions to select buffaloes for races. For example, beliefs regarding auspicious days for bringing buffaloes into the pen, ritual days for threading the rope through a buffalo’s nose, the use of positive words to name buffaloes, and other rituals such as buffalo sterilization and blessing ceremonies. Additionally, material folklore tradition includes methods for caring for and controlling buffaloes. Such traditions are part of the folklife of buffalo keepers, who have the knowledge and experience to apply such folklore traditions to ensure “good buffaloes” to participate in the “buffalo racing tradition”. Nowadays, such races are organized throughout the year in villages, subdistricts, districts and the province. The “buffalo racing tradition” is an area that shows the identities of buffalo keepers, who are knowledgeable and skilled in raising and training buffaloes, as well as those who preserve traditions. This includes the honor and wealth associated with the creation of power networks within the community of buffalo keepers and people who play roles in organizing the traditions.

Relevance to Thai Studies: This study sheds light on the role of folklore among buffalo keepers in Chonburi province, which is used as a part of their way of life and adapted to their group's recreational contexts to promote tourism. Therefore, such activity has become their own identity for the community and province, which contributes to the cultural heritage of Thailand. Furthermore, this serves as the way to study folklore and folklife in contemporary Thai society in various contexts moving forward.

Conclusion: In Chonburi province, the “buffalo racing tradition” rotates through many communities throughout the year. This leads buffalo keepers to adapt folklore, beliefs, rituals, tales and material folklore to care for and train the buffaloes, while also gathering people to participate in the tradition. Consequently, buffalo keepers have identities as honored and wealthy people who possess both property and followers, as well as being powerful figures in their community.

Khmer Pad Baky Metre and Its Modification from Thai Klon Metre

2024-05-24T15:03:19+07:00

Background and objective (s): Khmer pad bāky metre shares some similarities in terms of versification with Thai klon metre, which has made some scholars propose that pad bāky metre had its origin from Thai klon metre. Nevertheless, the versification of pad bāky metre displays many different aspects from those of Thai klon metre, which indicates that pad bāky metre underwent its own modifications. The research for this article, therefore, aimed to study the modifications in Khmer pad bāky versification from Thai klon metre and to analyze the factors responsible for these modifications.

Methodology: Using Göran Hermerén’s concept on the influence in art and literature as the framework, this study employed comparative study methodology in order to point out the similarities and differences between the versifications of pad bāky metre and Thai klon metre.

Main result: The modifications of pad bāky versification occur in three aspects: the rhyme, the creation of melodious sound and the rhythm. These three aspects of modification result from two main factors: Khmer literary conventions and the different nature of the Khmer language from the Thai language.

Relevance to Thai Studies: This study demonstrates the influence of Thai literature on the literature of neighboring countries.

Conclusion: A study of the modifications of pad bāky metre indicates that pad bāky metre has been modified according to Khmer literary convention and the nature of the Khmer language. The relationship between Thai klon metre and pad bāky metre was, therefore, an influence following Hermerén’s concept, Thai poets and literary works being the donor and Khmer poets and literary works being the recipient. The result of the study additionally show that the recipient of influence has played an important role in the “choosing-modifying” process instead of just as a “receiver.”

The role of Dhammaduta Bhikkhus in the interaction with Thai cultural diplomacy toward India

2024-04-22T08:15:53+07:00

Background and objective (s): Thai cultural diplomacy is a key aspect in creating ties that allow social actors at all levels to interact, as well as a tool for developing friendly contacts so that the public can creatively engage with Thai culture. Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkhus in India have played a significant role in promoting cultural diplomacy by utilizing Buddhism as an opportunity to make religious advocacy and social services more accessible to the Indian people. Although Thailand and India have different cultural backgrounds and languages, Dhammaduta Bhikkhus have expanded collaboration between Thailand and India to the extent that the local Indian population understands the Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkhus' purpose to promote Buddhism, while also increasing the quality of life. Furthermore, India is a significant case study for Dhammaduta Bhikkhus' religious activities, which have tangible benefits and are always evolving to better serve Buddhists and the Indian people. The purpose of this study was to explore the function of Dhammaduta Bhikkhus and their interactions in cultural diplomacy, utilizing the cultural diplomacy framework, as well as describe the function of missionaries in spreading Buddhism and fulfilling religious responsibilities overseas, which might lead to engagement with Indians.

Methodology: The me thodology used was document -ba sed research on Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkhus' roles in India. This included gathering data from in-depth interviews on Buddhism and the role of Thai monk missionaries. All information was evaluated within the framework of cultural diplomacy to understand Thai cultural diplomatic relations with India, in which Dhammaduta Bhikkhus play a significant role.

Main result: Dhammaduta Bhikkhus, together with other actors in Buddhist and social welfare activities, play an important role in developing interaction with Indian people. This facilitates cultural diplomacy, can help to improve social interactions and has increased Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkhus' awareness and faith, allowing them to play an essential role in spreading culture and Buddhism in India. Through such cultural diplomatic interaction, the Indian people are cognizant of and have access to Thai culture, which results in collaboration and the advancement of Buddhist and cultural missions between Thailand and India.

Relevance to Thai Studies: This study identified cultural diplomacy and analyzed the role of Dhammaduta Bhikkhus in driving Thai Theravada Buddhism, as well as the history of driving Buddhism abroad and the dissemination of Thai culture, which serve as an illustration of creative interaction with India. Cultural diplomacy is thus a key approach to enhancing images and mutual understanding to foster cordial interactions, as well as serving as a framework for future research into Thai cultural diplomacy in the context of Buddhism, which may be merged with Thailand's international relations and foreign affairs.

Conclusion: Dhammaduta Bhikkhus play a role in India not only to enhance religious activities and Buddhism, but their role is also important to foster culture sustainably through social interaction by engaging in Buddhist and social service endeavors that are acceptable to Buddhists, the government and the Indian people. As a result, Dhammaduta Bhikkhus have emerged as important actors in cultural diplomacy, capable of fostering creative and amicable relationships, as well as creating a positive image of Thai culture in India.

Ya Phok Drug Remedies (Herbal Poultice) From Thai Traditional Medical Texts of Phitsanulok Province

2024-09-02T10:46:05+07:00

Background and objective (s): Medical texts provide important information on the wisdom of the ancient Thai people. They were aware of natural ingredients that could be used to make medications to treat illnesses. The research for this article aimed to study the methods and pharmaceutical substances found in transliterate versions of Thai traditional ya phok (herbal poultice) medical texts of Phitsanulok province. These include 87 manuals from the Art and Cultural Center of Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University.

Methodology: This study used quantitative research in the study of the essence of the ya phok drug remedies, analyzed the frequency of pharmaceutical ingredients in ya phok drug remedies and summarized the analysis results.

Main result: This study discovered that ya phok drug remedies could be found in 69 texts, covering 374 remedies. It was discovered that there are 31 different methods based on their properties. The most frequently found ya phok drug remedies used to treat skin disease are covered by 158 remedies. Pharmaceuticals processed before application were found to cover 13 different procedures. The most common method was grinding the ingredients covering 204 remedies. For drugs that are utilized in medical procedures, the study found 336 plant-based substances used, with the highest frequency being zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe). There were 36 animal-based substances used, with the highest frequency being from cows (Bos taurus) (the most used being cow dung). There were 17 mineral-based substances used, with the highest frequency being potassium nitrate (KNO3). The medium used in the remedies cover 30 types, with the highest frequency being water. From the results of this research, it can be concluded that the most commonly used medicines have important properties in the treatment of skin diseases.

Relevance to Thai Studies: The purpose of this study was to provide evidence in favor of Thai traditional medical expertise from Phitsanulok province through conducting quantitative research on Thai traditional medical manuscripts. In order to enumerate diseases and pharmaceuticals encompassing ya phok medicine cures, the study employed statistical data from Thai traditional medical books from Phitsanulok province. Data collected from this research will form the foundational database for future medical treatment developments based on traditional Thai remedies.

Conclusion: The use of ya phok drug remedies were important in the treatment of "Abscess, Mareng (Name of a type of chronic skin disease), and Tamoy (Name of a type of chronic skin disease),." Zedoary was found to be the most effective remedy in this investigation, based on significant scientific research. In terms of important properties in treating skin diseases, the most important were the reducion of inflammation and antioxidant effects, and antibacterial, which is one of the causes of skin infections. This study on ya phok will serve as foundational data for the principal medical treatment wisdom manuals of Phitsanulok province and can be a database of information that will eventually be used to create medicinal treatments.

Phraya Kraek’s Bathing And Dressing Dance: The Text And Choreography In The Early Period Of Lakhon Pantang

2024-05-14T09:46:30+07:00

Background and objective (s): The story of Phraya Kraek is a legend in the Thai Northern Chronicles. Telling stories from the Ayutthaya period, Phra Wichian Pricha (Noi) compiled stories from the Thai Northern Chronicles and HRH Prince Narathip Praphanphong wrote them into plays for Thai dance. In the play Phraya Kraek, there are the Phraya Kraek bathing and dressing dances, which shows a set of important Thai dance steps that are not widely seen. The research for this article studied the text and choreography for Phraya Kraek's bathing and dressing dances and the writings of HRH Prince Narathip Praphanphong.

Methodology: The methodology used was a study of the text for Phraya Kraek's bathing and dressing dance from the writings of HRH Prince Narathip Praphanphong including history from textbooks, documents and related research material. Also, a broadcast of the Phraya Kraek bathing and dressing dances received from Associate Professor Dr. Supachai Chansuwan, a national artist, was reviewed as well as interviews with literary experts, Thai dance experts and Thai music experts. The research tools were interviews, with data collected from textbooks, documents and related research materials and interviews with experts. These sources were analyzed to display the nature of the text and choreography of Lakhon Panthang of HRH Prince Narathip Praphanphong in the first period of production of his work.

Main result: Phraya Kraek's bathing and dressing dances are an episode in the drama "Phraya Kraek" of HRH Prince Narathip Praphanphong, who took stories from the Thai Northern Chronicles and wrote them into plays for Thai dance in 1909. The playwright's initial dramas were categorized as "Lakhon Phongsawadan" due to their storylines drawn from Thai chronicles. However, as the plays incorporated chronicles from other groups of people, such as Chinese and Mon, the designation shifted to "Lakhon Panthang". In this play, there are the Phraya Kraek bathing and dressing dances. The bathing and dressing dance sequences comprise distinct elements: bathing, applying perfume and dressing. The choreography comprises a main, extension, conjunction and the additional dance steps.
Performers wear traditional attire known as "Yuen Khrueang."

Relevance to Thai Studies: This research studied the text and choreography for Phraya Kraek's bathing and dressing dance, a story taken from the Thai Northern Chronicles and transformed into the text of a Thai dance drama. The text shows the essential characteristics of the legend in its performance form. Dance drama is a traditional Thai performance art. Both text and choreography is a literary and dramatic art that has continued in the Thai way until the present.

Conclusion: The choreography for Phraya Kraek's bathing and dressing dances align seamlessly with the text and reflects the nature of "Lakhon Phongsawadan," the initial phase of "Lakhon Panthang," while seamlessly blending elements from various drama styles. However, the emphasis remains on preserving the exquisite characteristics inherent to Thai royal drama.

The Original Edition of the Traditional Thai Medicine Textbook of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom): Diagnostic Study of Origins and Literary Convention

2024-06-06T08:43:23+07:00

Background and objective (s): The medical text of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom) is an important Thai traditional text, which has been popular for hundreds of years and widely spread across many areas. The text is well known and is continuously used as a reference. There have been many versions published. At present, the original of the Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom) traditional Thai medical text has not been found. The objectives of the study were, firstly, to study the contents and the history of the traditiona l medical text of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom), and secondly, to study the structural recording format of the Thai traditional medical text of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom).

Methodology: Firstly, to transliterate the Thai traditional medical text of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom) from old Thai script into modern Thai script. Secondly, study the structural recording format of the Thai traditional medical text of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom), finally, study the substance found in the text.

Main result: Thai traditional medical text of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom). It appears that the oldest version was found to be an original -document, entitled Khompee Khong Kai Chantaboon Klom Kham Khlong, copies between 1822-1846, composed in verse. This document can be divided into three sections, beginning with a mention of the name of the content that appears. The second part contains the main content and the final section is the concluding part providing blessings, and specifies the day, month and year the copy was completed. There are compose by 2 different compositions which is poetry and rhythmic poetry. There are 10 chapters. By compared with later print versions, it was found that there are less content. The printed version has nineteen chapters, showing an increase in the amount of textual material, resulting from adjustments and further additions.

Relevance to Thai Studies: This study aims to provide knowledge of Thai traditional medical manuscripts, especially the traditional medical text of Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom), a textbook written from his experience in researching various traditional medical scriptures on how to cure disease when new wisdom and knowledge arise. The author's method of treating the disease is based on the symptoms. Certain important content, composed in poetry, would have been chanted to facilitate the memorization of medical texts that had a lot of content. As well, additional notes were inserted to explain the content of the original text .

Conclusion: In summary, the Khompee Khong Kai Chantaboon Klom Kham Khlong manuscript is a textbook on Thai traditional medicine as practiced by Phraya Chanthaburi (Klom). This textbook is considered the oldest version discovered so far. It is regarded as a valuable intellectual heritage and is useful for analyzing Thai traditional medical texts.