สำนักงานราชบัณทิตยสภา

105  The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 Another theatre established by King Rama VI was Suan Misakawan Theatre, a standard theatre where operas and all types of drama could be staged (Poonpit Amatyakul, 2011: 3). King Rama VI continued writing plays after he became king in 1910 and continued right to the end of his reign. As a result, his dramatic contribution to Thai performing arts has helped establish the love for theatre, both traditional and modern among the Thai people. He wrote operas, plays in verse and prose. He also selected some Western plays to translate into Thai. These are Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It . He adapted Othello into an opera in Thai, under a new title “Phraya Rajbangsan.” Besides Shakespeare’s plays, he also adapted some other English and French plays. His adaptation of Molière’s Le médecin malgré lui into a Thai play has retained the craftiness, wit and comedy of the French original, although the characters have acquired a Thai quality as well as being given Thai names. King Rama VI also looked east. He translated Kalidas’ Shakuntala into Thai. This Indian classical drama has become quite well-known internationally and it has been translated into so many languages, including English, French and German. King Rama VI’s adaptation and translation of foreign plays show his intention of bringing some world literature to the attention of the Thai people. King Rama VI also composed dramas of many kinds himself. His creativity is amazing, considering he did not have much free time. He had to oversee government affairs and closely watch world political situation. The First World War (1914-1918) occurred during his reign. Nationalism was the universal sentiment of the time. Indeed many of his works, both dramas and essays, re fl ected nationalism. For example, Phra Ruang, Mahatma, Hua Chai Nak Rop (The Warrior’s Heart) are his most patriotic plays. Phra Boromrajowat Sua Pa (A Collection of His Royal Addresses to the Wild Tigers Corps) re fl ects his attempt to teach the Thai people to love and to sacri fi ce for the sake of their country. Some of his patriotic poems are still recited and quoted to the present day. They are very moving as well as lyrical. Srisurang Poolthupya