Phu Sunthorn 1786 - 1855 (69)
The worth of music, it includes all things
Of untold value, like a priceless gem
QUOTES
Forgiveness
He was born on June 26, 1786, after the founding of the city of Bangkok in a nearby village. His father and mother soon divorced, his father became a monk while his mother went to serve the princess as a nurse. Sunthorn Phu had the opportunity to grow up in the palace with his mother. At a young age he fell in love with a lady related to the royal family, when their relationghip was revealed, which was considered illegal due to the class difference, Pau was punished and imprisoned. He was released when the king died and his son took over.
Afterwards Sunthorn Phu went to visit his father who lived in Rayong Province and on his return wrote a poem called "Nirat Muang Grang" which gave him great reputation. The poem described his journey in great detail. Upon his return he married, had a son and was appointed royal poet. In the time of Rama II, the king was very happy with Pau, but during the reign of Rama III, Pau made a big mistake, correcting a poem of the king, in front of their courtiers, and thus fell into disfavor. He was expelled from the palace and as he had no financial resources he became a Buddhist monk to survive and later tried to become a merchant. Years later, Princess of Rama IV, read his poems and was impressed, so she invited him back to the palace. He spent the rest of his life quietly in the palace writing, he died in 1855. He left behind a legacy of poems that became famous over time with which he narrated the history of Thailand. His poetic works were honored by UNESCO, the most important is the epic poem Phra Aphai Mani which he began it in prison and it was published in parts over the next 20 years.