สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

«“√ “√ √“™∫— ≥±‘ µ¬ ∂“π ªï ∑’Ë Û ©∫— ∫∑’Ë Û °.§.-°.¬. ÚıÙ¯ 785 ™≈¥“ ‡√◊ Õß√— °…å ≈‘ ¢‘ µ »‘ ≈ª“°√, °√¡. (ÚıÚ¯). ∫∑≈–§√‡√◊Ë ÕßÕ¿— ¬πÿ √“™. °√ÿ ߇∑æ¡À“π§√ : Àâ “ßÀÿâ π à «π®”°— ¥‚√ßæ‘ ¡æå ™«πæ‘ ¡æå . “¡°ä °©∫— ∫‡®â “æ√–¬“æ√–§≈— ß (Àπ). ‡≈à ¡ Ò-Û. (ÚıÙÛ). °√ÿ ߇∑æ¡À“π§√ : ”π— °æ‘ ¡æå ¥Õ°À≠â “, æ‘ ¡æå ‡ªì π∑’Ë √–≈÷ °‡π◊Ë Õß„π«‚√°“ æ√–√“™æ‘ ∏’ ¡¡ß§≈æ√–™π¡“¬ÿ ‡∑à “ æ√– ∫“∑ ¡‡¥Á ®æ√–æÿ ∑∏¬Õ¥øÑ “®ÿ Ó‚≈°. Abstract Phra Aphai Mani : A Gem of Thai Literature Cholada Ruengruglikit Associate Fellow of the Academy of Arts, The Royal Institute, Thailand Phra Aphai Mani, Sunthorn Phu’s masterpiece that has fascinated the listeners and readers since its composition, could be considered as a gem in Thai literature. The amazing elements of Phra Aphai Mani include an unfamiliar plot, a new subject matter, various outstanding characters, several interesting oceanic scenes, as well as Sunthorn Phu’s specific pattern of Klonsuphap and his language use including the apposite sayings that he inserted in the story. In Phra Aphai Mani, Sunthorn Phu develops a new type of plot for Thai romance. Although the story begins like other Thai romances, it proceeds and ends differently. By choosing to study flute playing, the hero is exiled by his father-an incident that prevents him from reigning his country and opens the chance to him to rule other countries. Rather, the story ends with a surprising twist in which the hero decides to become an ascetic. Sunthorn Phu does not derive his story from any Jataka or local tales like other poets, but creates his story by mixing elements from various sources. Some elements come from his imagination, while others are derived from his knowledge gained through reading, listening, as well as witnessing events at that time. In terms of characters, Sunthorn Phu invents several characters in this story. Most of these characters have specific characteristics that help the listeners and readers to identify them. Sinsamut, a son of Phra Aphai Mani and Phisuea Samut, and Sutsakhorn, another son of Phra Aphai Mani and a mermaid, are good examples of characters whose parents are from different species. Both of them inherit their parents’ outstanding appearances and characteristics. In the story, Phra Aphai Mani, Suwannamali and Laweng are presented as a new type of Thai hero and a new type of Thai heroine respectively. Unlike other Thai romances that focus on the forest scenes and land traveling, Phra Aphai Mani highlights instead the oceanic scenes and sea traveling. Sunthorn Phu’s pattern of Klonsuphap, which has more internal rhymes than other poets’ verse, also enriches Phra Aphai Mani with beautiful sounds, while his language use and apposite sayings help increase the value of the story. These amazing elements of Phra Aphai Mani not only impressed the listeners and readers in the time of its composition, but also attract the present audience. Currently, Phra Aphai Mani is reproduced in many forms, such as the traditional Thai and Japanese style of cartoon narrative, movie, television play, and prose narrative. Thus it would not be an exaggeration to say that Phra Aphai Mani has been a radiant gem decorating Thai literature from the past up to the present, and possibly this story will continue to have this merit in the future as well. Key words : Phra Aphai Mani, a gem of Thai literature, Klonsuphap ¿“…“Õ— ß°ƒ… Cholada Ruengruglikit. (July-September 2004). ç Phra Aphai Mani : A New Type of Thai Heroé The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Vol.29, pp.721-733.