UNESCO or the United nations for Education, Science, and Culture Organization recognizes and acknowledges many poets around the words, and one of such great persons is a Thai poet born about 250 years ago – Sunthron Phu (Thai: สุนทรภู่). He is considered by many as “the Bard of Rattanakosin”. He was born on June 26th.
His father was born in Klang, located in Klaeng district in Rayong province, Thailand’s eastern region. Sunthorn Phu himself was born in the western side of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok or Krungthep.
Sunthron Phu was a keen note-taker and recorder of events and places, including people that he met.
He was a prolific writer and poet. His many notes and poems now function as historical records of Thailand in the past. The peoples of Thailand and the world owe him a great deal when it comes to learning about the past and Thai ways of life and traditions.
He was probable the father of Thailand’s soft power. In his long epic poem – Phra Aphai Mani (a 48,700-line epic poem), he conveyed the message of non-violence and the hero (Phra Apai Manee) has a pipe as his decisive weapon. not a lance or sword. It’s the power of music that would win over people’s heart.
