สำนักงานราชบัณทิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 124  Translations of National Literature: Existing Translation Works as Means to Promote Better Understanding among Nations Malithat Promathatavedi 1 Abstract This paper traces the history of translation from ancient time to the present, especially the translation of literature. The translation of literary works in Thailand also has a long history going back to the Sukhothai Period. Through trade and cultural connection with countries in Asia and the intrusion of Western ideology and technology, there have been broader scopes of translation. In the fi rst stages translation was of a religious nature. During the turbulent times in history when Thailand was still waging wars with neighboring countries there were many literary works in reference to the wars, most of them glorifying the heroic deeds of various Thai kings who had fought to maintain peace and sovereignty of the country. In the country-building periods it was time to concentrate on the intellectual side. Eminent writers and poets vied to present their works to the court and artists in all fi elds produced their works of art. There were poems praising the splendor of the architecture of palaces and temples, the royal barge procession, and even the exquisite cuisine and fl oral arrangement. After World War II regional cooperation among countries in Southeast Asia has resulted in the launching of several bi-lingual volumes of the Anthology of ASEAN Literatures and the S.E.A. Write Award-Winning Stories in English translations as an attempt to make the 1 Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute, Academy of Arts Translations of National Literature: Existing Translation Works as Means to Promote Better Understanding among Nations