Niras of Sunthornphu: Reflections on Community Lifestyles in the Early Rattanakosin Period

Abstract

Phra Sunthorn Vohan (Phu) or Sunthornphu was the greatest poet in the early Rattanakosin period and the world. There are many types of poetry works, such as Nithan Khum Klon, Dramatic, Thai Verse, Klon Phleng Yao, Klon Suphasit and especially, Niras, that was the type of the poet’s journey. It can be said that it is the one type of the famous work made by Sunthornphu and he totally wrote 9 Niras: Niras Muang Klaeng, Niras Pha Bath, Niras Inao, Niras Phu Khao Thong, Niras Suphan, Niras Wat Chao Fa, Niras Pha Pra Thom, Niras Mueang Phet and Ram Phan Phi Lap.  Mostly, Sunthornphu's Niras had the appearance of leaving his beloved persons to travel into the various places in the central region of Thailand. The unique characteristics of Niras Sunthornphu had a description of the place name, the geography, flora and fauna as well as the way of life in the social pictures that he had traveled to meet. This article aims to present the reflections of community lifestyles, nature, society, culture. They all were called “the way of life of the Thai people” in the early Rattanakosin period appeared in Niras of Soonthornphu. The study was classified by the geographical characteristics.