Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to study life and works of Prayoon Chanyawong in order to gain more knowledge and understanding from his life and his works. The methods used in this research are studying from books, journals, newspaper, other documents, and primary drawings; making statistic tables of works; making a list of articles in chronological order; making an annotated bibliography of work published in book form; interviewing with Prayoon Chanyawong and people who have known him; establishing the scales for evaluating and analyzing his drawings and literary work; analyzing his drawings and literary works; analyzing his works in four aspects: objective, subject matter, drawing, format and layout quality of typographic design. The conclusion of this research is that Prayoon Chanyawong had no academic training in cartoon drawing but became a successful cartoonist by his hard working and loving in cartoon drawing, starts his career as a professional cartoonist since 1938 with the comic strip cartoons Chantakhorob; his first political cartoon appeared in 1946. His works are more than 9,203 political and gag cartoons, more than 27,374 comic strip cartoons in 34 titles, and his miscellaneous works of 441 articles, 2,231 articles with drawings and 939 miscellaneous cartoons. On the average, he works 4 drawings a day, but 6 drawings a day in 1954-1958 and 1967-1971. The objective of his works is excellent in presenting the general events, satirizing the political and social situations, and inspiring and recreating his readers. The subject matter of his works is good in selecting interesting news about the national and social responsibilities, and the general information, and also good in literary component both in prose and poetry. His drawing is half cartoon and half realistic with satirical humorous intent for adults rather than for children. He is distinctive in his own style of creativity and originality. The format and quality of typographic designs are fair, most of letters in his works appeared in newspapers, journals and magazines are both handwriting and types. Prayoons tenet of life is : avoid doing evil, do what should be done, and be kind. He is a man of great humor who is always pleased to talk to anyone who cares to speak to him. Prayoon Chanyawong shuns all forms of self publicity. He is very proud of himself, very independent and has refused to be tied to any newspaper but sold his caricature and comic cartoons independently. His creative works will go on and on. He should be cited as a model of the best journalist and artist.