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119  The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 them, or on religious occasions, they went to make merit at the stupa which contained the relics. For this reason, any family, that could afford to build a temple, would build one for the members of the family line, to make it a place to bury the relics and make merit for the family. Building a temple was generally considered an honour for the family lineage. That is why numerous temples were built” (Prince Damrong, 1949: 57-58). The name “Chao Phraya River”, Prince Damrong explains, “is so called only in the Rattanakosin period. Formerly it was just called Menam 3 . At Tambon Paknam 4 (Paknam sub-district) before the town of Samut Prakan was built, it was called Bang Chao Phraya. So it was called Paknam Bang Chao Phraya in the same way as (we call) Paknam Bang Pakong. Then it became the name of the river (Prince Damrong, 1949: 72). The name of the Chao Phraya River, in old books written by European writers about Siam, appears as Menam. (Pallegoix, 1854: 8) Some Thais who do not know the facts think that the Europeans called it incorrectly. If they had read Prince Damrong’s explanation, they would know the true origin of the name. Poetry People generally do not realize that Prince Damrong had poetic talent, for he did not compose a lot of poetry, indeed only sixteen titles altogether (Prince Damrong, 1944). Princess Poon Pisamai collected them for publication. The following excerpts can demonstrate his talent. Many poems are noted for their beauty and depth. Vajirayan Subhasit This poem from the collection shows the value of knowledge. “Knowledge can be a friend when one is alone, It can be one’s ornament when speaking, It becomes strength when one makes decision, It is one’s wealth evenings and mornings.” (Prince Damrong, 1944: 20) 3 Menam simply means ‘river’. 4 Paknam means the river mouth. Panya Borisutdhi