Poetry Under the Patronage of King Rama VI

Abstract

The aim of this article is to study poetry under the patronage of King Rama VI which was researched from his royal duties and writings. The results showed the poetry supported by King Rama VI has five aspects: 1) researching and disseminating ancient literature, which are Bokoedrammakian and Ongkanchaengnam; 2) adapting and recreating ancient literature which are Suphasiit Phraruang Khamkhlong, Khlonglokkaniti Chamlaeng and Nirat Malethethai; 3)
supporting poetry by the established the Wannakhadi Samoson; 4) publishing poetry works in the Dusitsmit newspaper; and 5) royal writing on poetics which are Phraborommarachathibai Nai Kanpraphan and Phranon Khamluang. The study reveals that King Rama VI was a literary educator and recognized the value and importance of conserving, disseminating, promoting and creating Thai literature throughout his reign. The promoting of poetry by King Rama VI therefore made his reign a prosperous period for poetry literature.