“Please Read the Story of Phra Aphai for Joy and Happiness”: An Analysis of Chan Khamwilai’s Nirat Phra Aphai Mani, Literary Conventions, and the Rise of Thai Fan Fiction in the 1960s.

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the relationship between Chan Khamwilai’s Nirat Phra Aphai Mani and Sunthorn Phu’s original verse tale, Phra Aphai Mani. It further examines the creative techniques employed to transform the Nirat version into a form of Thai literary fan fiction during the 1960s. Drawing upon John Frow’s genre theory and concepts from Russian Formalism, the study finds that Chan Khamwilai reconstructed the narrative by focusing on the protagonist's adventurous life and the theme of separation. The findings reveal that the poem was reimagined as literary fan fiction by integrating traditional Rattanakosin-era Nirat conventions—specifically lamentation and the expression of personal opinion. Notably, the author rearranged the chronological sequence of events, diverging from the original source. Furthermore, the work blends storytelling with biographical elements, a departure from classical Nirat traditions. This evolution reflects the enduring influence of the original epic and a growing public fascination with the life of Sunthorn Phu during that period.