Sunthorn Phu (or Sunthon Phu, 1786–1855) is Thailand's best-known poet. A commoner, he broke from tradition by writing in more ordinary language and about less elevated topics than previous writers. His most popular single work is the 30,000-line epicPhra Aphai Mani, which follows a Byronic hero in his romantic adventures throughout Thailand. Sunthorn's nine Nirats, which record his associations between memories and sites he visited, are also popular.
Part of Sunthorn's fame also rests on his colourful personal life. In his late teens, he was imprisoned for having an affair with a lady at court. In turn, he was then pardoned, married to the lady, and appointed court poet, before becoming an alcoholic, being left by his wife, and, around 1821, being jailed after a fight. He began Phra Aphai Mani in prison, and published it in installments over the next 20 years. He was out of favour during the reign of Rama III (1824–1851), whose writings he had once criticised. At one point he was driven by poverty to become a monk.
SunthornPhu's original intention was to join his father and enter the monkhood for a term.
SunthornPhu ventured to make public criticism of some lines written by the Prince, sometimes going to the extent of improving the lines by rewriting them extempore, a kind of work at which he was particularly adept.
But SunthornPhu reigns supreme, because in all his poetry, in Phra Abhai Mani, in his Nirats with their mixture of romance, pathos and humour, he touched the heartstrings of the common people.
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