Sunthorn Phu

Sunthon Phu (also: Sonthorn Phu or Sunthorn Pu, in Thai: สุนทร ภู่; born June 26, 1786 in Bangkok, † 1855) was a Thai poet.

Life

Sunthon Phus father came from the area of Rayong, but his wife was a long time in the capital Bangkok, where she brought her son to the world. A short time later, the couple divorced and the mother came as a nurse at the courtyard. How many young people of his time, he was educated by Buddhist monks at Wat Sri Sudaram, where he even a small memorial was set.

After leaving school, he started a job as a secretary at the court. They soon realized, however his true talent: the art of poetry. In a romantic mood he fell madly in love the beautiful maid of honor Chan, a breach of good manners at the court. Both were thrown into prison, but was released after a short time. During a two -month stay in Rayong, where he saw again his father, Sunthon Phu became so ill that he had to immediately return to the capital. Fortunately, for only a short time later he was allowed to marry his Chan. Many beautiful love poems have been preserved.

In 1807 he wrote the poem Nirat Phra Bat, in which he immortalized his journey with a prince and - his problems with his beloved wife. 1809 Phra Phutthaloetla ( Rama II ) the new king, a man of extraordinary poetic talent. He translated the Indian Ramayana in the Thai Ramakian, and he used it the perception and criticism of Sunthon Phu. Finally, the young poet was his drunkenness undoing: he was injured during a dispute his uncle so hard that the king had him thrown into prison. Chan also turned away from him. Sunthon Phu was released a short time later and used as Poet Laureate. He wrote here the unique work The Legend of Khun Chang Khun Phaen and.

Even Prince Chetsadabodin wrote eagerly seals, their quality was, however, questioned publicly by Sunthon Phu. Yes, he improved the line sometimes even ex tempore. This created ripples trouble with the Prince, and after this in 1824 when King Maha Chetsadabodin ( Phra Nang Klao, Rama III. ) Was enthroned, it was not long until Sunthon Phu was dismissed. It could he do nothing else than the next 18 years as a Buddhist monk among others Wat Theptidaram to live in Bangkok.

Sunthon Phu is regarded as one of the greatest poets of Thailand. On his 200th birthday in 1986, he was honored by UNESCO as Thailand's great poet of the people, June 26 is celebrated every year in his honor the " Sunthon Phu Day".