Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to study Lilit Sadet Pai Khat Thap Phama Muang Kanchanburi, a royal poetic work by Somdet Pha Bovoraratchao Maha Sakdipholasep, the Front Palace King of King Rama III. The work contains an account of the war between Siam and Burma in 1830 A.D., the rural life of Thai people, and the unspoiled nature on the way to the battle-pass. The result of the study shows that the content of the work records the detailed account of the journey mingling with the lamentation of the Front Palace King towards his beloved wife, Princess Darawadi, and their bay son, H.R.H. Prince Issaraphong. As far as the technique of writing is concerned, the writer was influenced by old Thai celebrated works of the Ayudhya period, particularly Lilit Pra Lor for its compositional technique of love genre, and by old travelogues (nirat) for traveling description. From historical side, the study reveals conflicts between this Lilit and historical information namely the Thai royal chronicles as far as the strategic dates and sites of the war are concemed. The reason can be assumed as the changes of both did take place but might not be recorded. Another possibility is that the Front Palace King, as the Commander-in-Chief might be in charge of both Ratchaburi and Petchaburi, the two Thai border strongholds. This Lilit gives invaluable details of old Thai war treatise and strategy including the selection of auspicious dates, colours, clothing, and rites. The description of the royal barge and elephant processions is splendid.