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96  The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 King Rama VI’s Promotion of Khon and Drama in General Srisurang Poolthupya 1 Abstract King Rama VI of the Chakri dynasty had great interest in the Ramakien and dramas in general. He composed a few episodes of the Ramakien, many modern dramas, essays as well as translated or adapted Western and Indian plays to present to the Thai audience. His Ramakien kept closer to the original story of the Valmiki Ramayana. His promotion of Khon and dramas helped preserve the valuable Thai heritage. After his demise, the promotion was discontinued because of the government’s fi nancial problem. It was later revived. Queen Sirikit, through the SUPPORT Foundation, has carried on the Khon promotion as can be seen in the ‘Khon Somdet’ at Thailand Cultural Centre. Keywords: King Rama VI, Khon, drama Introduction King Rama VI, also called King Vajiravudh, is the sixth king of the Chakri dynasty. His great interest in the Ramayana, known as the Ramakien in Thailand, caused him to start the tradition of posthumously calling the kings of the Chakri dynasty before him ‘Rama’, the fi rst king being Rama I, and he himself Rama VI. Our present King Bhumibol is Rama IX. King Rama VI was very interested in Thai literature as well as world literature. He composed various kinds of literary works in prose and verse. These are poems, dramas, short stories, essays, translations and adaptations of plays from abroad, including the plays of William Shakespeare from England, Molière from France and Kalidas from India. He was also interested in the performing arts and acted in many Khon and drama performances. Although he died at the age of forty-six, he composed 1 Fellow of the Royal Institute, Acadamy of Arts King Rama VI’s Promotion of Khon and Drama in General