Sunthorn Phu


Sunthorn Vohara (Phu)
Statue of Sunthorn (Phu) at Wat Thepthidaram, Bangkok
Statue of Sunthorn (Phu) at Wat Thepthidaram, Bangkok
BornPhu (ภู่)
26 June 1786
Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Siam
Died1855 (aged 69)
Taling Chan, Bangkok, Siam
Pen nameSunthorn Phu (สุนทรภู่)
OccupationScribe, poet
LanguageThai
NationalityThai
GenreFantasy or Historical
Notable worksPhra Aphai Mani
Children3

Phra Sunthorn Vohara (Phu) (Thai: พระสุนทรโวหาร (ภู่), RTGSPhra Sunthonwohan (Phu), pronounced [pʰá.sǔn.tʰɔ̄ːn.woː.hǎːn.pʰûː]; 26 June 1786 – 1855), known as Sunthorn Phu (Thai: สุนทรภู่, RTGSSunthonphu, pronounced [sǔn.tʰɔ̄ːn.pʰûː]), is Thailand's best-known royal poet.[1] He wrote during the Rattanakosin period.

Phu's career as a royal poet began in the reign of King Rama II, and when the king died, he resigned from the role and became a monk. Twenty years later, in the reign of King Rama III, he returned to court as a royal scribe, where he remained for the rest of his life.[2]

Phu was renowned for composing verse, and his epic poetry is popular in Thailand to the present day. His works include Nirat Phukhao Thong, a collection of poems recounting his journey to the Golden Mountain; Nirat Suphan, his journey to Suphan Buri province; and the Phra Aphai Mani saga.

  1. ^ Champeon, Kenneth. "Thailand's Shakespeare? Sunthorn Phu". Things Asian. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  2. ^ Umavijani, Montri. "Sunthorn Phu: The Poet of Four Reigns". Sakchaip.tripod.com. Retrieved 19 January 2016.