Thai Literature Restoration in the Reign of King Rama I.

Abstract

This research aims to study the Thai literature which had been complied and restored under the patronage of King Rama I of Ratanakosin. These works of literature were intended to be a model for Thai literature after the great lost caused by the second Burmese Conquest of Ayudthaya. 33 pieces of literature were studied in this research including the hand-written scripts which had never been studied before, which are presently kept at the Manuscripts and Inscriptions Section, Department of National Library. The research concludes that the literature compiled in the Reign of King Rama I has two characteristics. 1) They are copied from the original texts which were important scripture of the Ayudthaya period e.g. Pichaisongkram test, Iran Rajatharm Parable and Athithaiphothibat (Evil Phenomena). 2) They were translated, copied, compiled or written texts which can be divided into religious, chronicle, translated chronicle, legendary, didactic, performance, and code of law literature. Authors of these works of literature were Bhikkhu and scholars of the royal court. There were 36 authors whose names and autobiographies could be found. The restoration of each work began with the search for the original edition. After that, the scholars or experts were asked to do research on it. Often, a group of many scholars took parts in a single work. Afterwards, the outcome of the compilation was finally checked by the Supreme Patriach. King Rama I was very interested in religious literature and had co-authored the first version of Triphumlokwinitchayakatha. Another important author in his reign was Praya Dharmpreecha (Keaw). Besides the knowledge about King Rama I literature found in the research, we can see the over all picture and the method of restoration, Above all we can appreciate the ingeniuity of King Rama I as the patronage of the Ratanakosin literature restoration.