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Thai literature has a long tradition dating back to the 13th century, when poems and inscriptions were preserved on stone. Poetry was the dominant form until the 19th century, resulting in sophisticated poetic styles. Epic poems and long tales originated in Thailand or drew from foreign influences. The tradition was supported by royal patronage and flourished during the Ayutthaya period, though many works were lost after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. Notable modern works addressed social issues, but freedom of expression was restricted during periods of political turmoil. By the 1980s, economic changes provided new themes and support for writers like Chart Korbjitti to present stark portrayals of Thai society.

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16 views1 page

Compre

Thai literature has a long tradition dating back to the 13th century, when poems and inscriptions were preserved on stone. Poetry was the dominant form until the 19th century, resulting in sophisticated poetic styles. Epic poems and long tales originated in Thailand or drew from foreign influences. The tradition was supported by royal patronage and flourished during the Ayutthaya period, though many works were lost after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. Notable modern works addressed social issues, but freedom of expression was restricted during periods of political turmoil. By the 1980s, economic changes provided new themes and support for writers like Chart Korbjitti to present stark portrayals of Thai society.

Uploaded by

joanarhiengualberto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A comprehensive written report of Historical Development of Thai LIterature

Thai literature, primarily composed in the Thai language, boasts a diverse tradition that was
predominantly focused on poetry until the 19th century. The prose was typically reserved for historical
records, chronicles, and legal documents, resulting in the development of various sophisticated poetic
forms. Despite the loss of numerous literary works during the sack of Ayutthaya in 1767, Thailand still
possesses a significant collection of epic poems and long poetic tales, some originating from original
stories while others drawing inspiration from foreign sources. This distinguishes Thai literary tradition
from East Asian counterparts like Chinese and Japanese, where lengthy poetic narratives are less
common. The influence of Thai classical literature extends notably to neighboring countries in mainland
Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia and Burma.

Thai literature has enjoyed historical patronage from the monarchy, with kings often contributing
notable literary works. The Sukhothai period (13th to mid-14th century) saw literature preserved in
stone inscriptions, such as the renowned Ramkhamhaeng inscription of 1292. Classical literature
flourished during the Ayutthaya period (1351–1767), featuring religious texts like Maha chat and poetic
compositions like Lilit phra Lo and Lilit Yuan phai. Belonging to the Tai language family, the Siamese
people share literary roots with other Tai speakers in mainland Southeast Asia. While there's a possibility
that early Thai literature might have been written in Chinese, there is no historical evidence among the
Siamese referring to such earlier literary works. The Thai poetic tradition initially drew from indigenous
forms such as rai, khlong, kap, and klon. Some of these poetic forms, particularly Khlong, have been
shared among Tai language speakers since ancient times, predating the emergence of Siam. An early and
representative work of Khlong poetry is the epic poem "Thao Hung Thao Cheuang," a shared narrative
about a Khmer noble warrior in mainland Southeast Asia.The sack of Ayutthaya in 1767 led to significant
losses in literature, but efforts to revive and rewrite texts occurred during the Rattanakosin era. Notable
works from this period include the Thai version of Ramayana, the Ramakian, Khun Chang Khun Phaen,
and Phra Aphaimani. The late 1920s marked a shift towards addressing social issues in literature, with
acclaimed works like Behind the Painting by Siburapha.

In the late 1940s, Socialist Realism influenced writers focusing on social injustice, but the 1950s and
1960s became a literary "dark age" marked by restricted freedom of speech. The 1970s witnessed a
resurgence in literary activity, including the establishment of the influential journal Lok nangsu'. The
political turmoil following the coup of 1976 prompted some writers to join the Communist Party. By the
mid-1980s, economic and social changes provided new themes for writers, supported by the
introduction of literary prizes and increased media attention. Chart Korbjitti emerged as a notable writer
addressing societal issues with works like Chon trork and Kham phiphaksa, presenting a stark yet
compelling portrayal of Thai society. His financial independence, achieved through self-publishing and
English translations, set a distinctive precedent in the Thai literary landscape.

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