สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Vol. 31 No. 1 Jan.-Mar. 2006 The Influence of the Ramayana on Thai Culture: Kingship, Literature, Fine Arts and Performing Arts 276 and the common people before the arrival of formal education from the West. The Khon performance is associated with the state celebra- tions and ceremonies as well as any grand occasions. The dance and costumes are elaborate and refined. It is only performed from time to time. Therefore, whenever a Khon performance is presented, people flock to see it and enjoy the rare spectacle. As the Rama story is also well-known to other countries in Southeast Asia, it serves as the common background of culture and the common ground among the Southeast Asian countries to build up understanding and friendship through literary and dramatic activities. Most of all, the Ramakien links Thailand to India which is the ancient and main source of Thai culture. The Ramakien helps the Thai people understand and appreciate the greatness of the Ramayana of India. In the past, many Thai kings and poets tried their hand at composing the Ramakien in various verse forms. As the ideals expressed in the Ramakien are immortal, they still inspire mo- dern poets, writers, dramatists and artists. The message in the Ra- makien can be studied and applied in the modern society. The use of force should be denounced as destructive and futile. For the powerful but evil Thotsakan or Ravana will finally fall while a mere human-being who relies on virtue like Rama will always survive. Footnotes 1 Composed in the reign of King Ba- romatrailokanath (A.D. 1448-1488) 2 Anumanrajadhon, Phraya, The Complete Works of Professor Phraya Anumanrajadhon, Book I (Bangkok : Krom Silpakorn, 1988), p. 197. 3 Pa-ob Posakrisna, Wannakam Prakob Kanlen Nang Yai Wat Khanon Changwat Ratchaburi (Bangkok : Ministry of Education, 1990), p. 5. 4 Krom Phraya Damrongrajanubhab, Tamnan Lakhon Inao (Bangkok : Klang Vidya, 1964), p. 12. 5 King Rama VI, Bor Kerd Rama- kien (Bangkok : Silpabannakan, 1970), p. 210. 6 Sant T. Komolbutr (tr.) The King- dom of Siam by M. de La Loubère, 2 vols, vol. I (Bangkok : Kaona Press, 1967), p. 217. 7 Anumanrajadhon, Phraya, op.cit, pp. 202-204. 8 Maneepin Phromsuthirak, “Influence of the Ramakien on theArts,” Special Exhibition of the Ramakien inThai Arts and Culture (Bangkok : Thai- land Cultural Center, 1991), p. 78. 9 Wiboon Leesuwan, Moradok Thai (Bangkok : Panaya, 1978), p.58. 10 Ibid., p. 47. 11 Pa-ob Posakrisna, op.cit., p. 19. Bibliography Anumanrajadhon, Phraya. The Complete Works of Professor Phraya Anu- manrajadhon, Book I. Bangkok : Krom Silpakorn, 1988. Damrongrajanubhab, Krom Phraya. Tamnan Lakhon Inao. Bangkok : Klang Vidya, 1964. Jumsai, M.L. Manit. Ramayana Thai. Bangkok : Chalermnit, 1970. Komolabutr, Sant T.(tr.) The Kingdom of Siam by M. de La Loubère, 3 vols. Bangkok : Kaona Press, 1967. Leesuwan, Wiboon. Moradok Thai. Bangkok : Panaya, 1978. Phromsuthirak, Maneepin. “Influence of the Ramakien on the Arts.” Special Exhibition of the Rama- kien in Thai Arts and Culture. Bangkok : Thailand Cultural Center, 1991. Poolthupya, Srisurang and Bankloy, Sumalaya. Tua Lakhon Nai Ra- makien. Bangkok : Odeon Book Store Press, 1982. Posakrisna, Khunying Pa-ob., Wannakam Prakob Kanlen Nang Yai Wat Khanon Changwat Ratchaburi. Bangkok : Ministry of Education, 1990. Rama I, King. Ramakien. 11 vols. Bangkok : Gurusabha Press, 1964. Rama VI, King. Bor Kerd Ramakien. Bangkok : Silpabannakan, 1970.