Figure of a giant at the golden chedi in Wat Phra Kaew
Ramakien is Thailand's national epic, derived from the IndianRamayana epic. A number of versions of the epic were lost in the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767. Three versions currently exist: one of these was prepared in 1797 under the supervision (and partly written by) King Rama I. His son, Rama II, rewrote some parts for khon drama. The main differences from the original are an extended role for the monkey god Hanuman and the addition of a happy ending. The work has had an important influence on Thai literature, art and drama (both the khon and nang dramas being derived from it).
While the main story is identical with the Ramayana, many other aspects were transposed into a thai context - for example the clothes, weapons, nature are described as being thai style. Even the names of the characters were changed, like the god Narayana which is called Narai.
A painted representation of the Ramakien is displayed at Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew, also many of the statues there depict characters from it.
References
Thai Ramayana (abridged) as written by King Rama I, ISBN 9747390183
The story of Ramakian - From the Mural Paintings along the Galleries of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, ISBN 9747588358
External link
English and Thai text of the work, with audio reading in Thai (http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Thai/literature/ramakian/ramakian.htm)
The most famous version is the one written by King Rama I from 1807, a shorter version was written by King Rama II[?].
The murals in the Wat Phra Kaew depict the whole story of Ramakian, as well as many of the statues depict characters from it.
Thai Ramayana (abridged) as written by King Rama I, The story of Ramakian - From the Mural Paintings along the Galleries of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, ISBN 9747588358
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