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| Source: http://www.google.com/logos/sunthornphu10-hp.jpg |
Sunthorn 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 entered the monkhood, where he remained for the next 20 years. Late in the reign of King Rama III, he emerged and took over duties as royal scribe. In the reign of King Rama IV, he was appointed to the post of director of the department of royal scribes. This was the last post he held at court, and the one in which he earned the title "Phra".
Sunthorn Phu was renowned especially for composing verse, and his conventions in epic poetry (Nirat) are popular in Thailand to the present day. His canonical works include Nirat Phukaothong (a collection of poems depicting his journey to the Golden Mountain), Nirat Suphan (depicting his journey to Suphanburi Province) and the Phra Apaimanee saga.
In 1986, the 200th anniversary of his birth, Sunthorn Phu was honored by UNESCO as a great world poet.
Recently, his literary works have been adapted in various media such as comics, films and songs.
His statue was erected in Klaeng District, Rayong Province, the birthplace of his father. His birthday has been declared as Sunthorn Phu day. [Read more on Wikipedia]
