Thread: Old Thai Poem

Just tell her the dog ate it.
But seriously I respect your effort, I'm near your age and I'm hopeless at the language.
I'd be interested in reading the poem, none of my Thai mob know it.

In centuries past, as H.G. Quaritch Wales explains in Siamese State Ceremonies, it was forbidden for a commoner even to touch royalty - even to rescue them if they were drowning. On board the royal barges there are, or were until recently, bundles of cocoa-nuts intended to be thrown to the king or any member of the royal family in the event of the barge foundering, for it was forbidden on pain of death for any person to lay hands on royalty to save them from drowning. A well known instance of the operation of this taboo is the tragic death of King Rama V’s first queen, who was drowned in full view of numerous bystanders who dared not save her. [Quaritch Wales, Siamese State Ceremonies] He provides a translation from the Kata Mandirapdla, or Book of Palace Law, a royal manuscript dated 1805 and said to have existed in almost the same form from about the 15th century: If a boat (royal barge) founders, the boatmen must swim away; if they remain near the boat they are to be executed. If the boat founders and the royal person falls into the water and is about to drown let the boatmen stretch out the signal-spear and throw the cocoa-nuts so that he may grasp them if he can. If he cannot, they may let him seize the signal-spear. If they lay hold of him to rescue him they are to be executed. He who throws the cocoa-nuts is to be rewarded with forty ticals of silver and one gold basin. If the barge sinks and someone else sees the cocoa-nuts thrown and goes to save the royal person, the punishment is double and all his family is to be exterminated. If the barge founders and someone throws the cocoa-nuts so that they float towards the shore (i.e. away from the royal person), his throat is to be cut and his home confiscated. [Kata Mandirapdla, quoted in Quaritch Wales, Siamese State Ceremonies] The worst offence of all was to touch the head of a king. Quaritch Wales says sensible considerations underlay this ancient taboo:

Found this, though not what you are looking for...

Originally Posted by roger77

Just tell her the dog ate it.
But seriously I respect your effort, I'm near your age and I'm hopeless at the language.
I'd be interested in reading the poem, none of my Thai mob know it.

Thanks for the kind words number 77, to be honest I have almost given up on it too. I have a unfortunate stammer, and stuttering in 5 different tone is hard work. I can work out and say single words in their correct tone but stringing them together with the required rhythm and pitch is difficult when sober. So I'm now concentrating on reading and writing Thai and even typing it at a snails pace. In the poem the boatman declares his everlasting devotion for the Monarch (well, for the next few minute anyway) and his love of the law. He is said to have written it with his toe in the sand while kneeling down waiting for the sharp and sudden shock.
This is the only part of the story I find undeliverable. When I do find it and get it translated from the Royal Language (Pasha Saap)? into Thai and then into English I will post it here. regards RR. (The older I get the better it was).

Originally Posted by BaitongBoy

Found this, though not what you are looking for...

Thanks for the interesting information BB, There is a wealth of fascinating reading in that document. Who would want to be a boatman in those days?
Apart from the memorial obelisk to the drowned queen at Bang Pa In near Ayutthaya my teacher tells me there is a memorial garden opposite Wat Po in Bkk in her honour.
If I do manage to track the poem down and translate it I will post it here.
Thanks again, RR

I believe you refer to the tales of พันท้ายนรสิงห์


Phanthai Norasing, the boatman of the Tiger King.

Finally, 5 posts and I can include the links for you.

I believe you refer to the tales of Phanthai Norasing, the boatman of the Tiger King.

The info about Phanthai Norasing is only available in Thai though.

There was a young man from Korat
Who loved to play with his cat
One day on a boat
It scratched his scrote
So he smashed it's head in with a hammer and threw it overboard.

(I think the last line needs some work)

Originally Posted by Mole

Finally, 5 posts and I can include the links for you.

Thank you for you persistence in posting the links to me Mr Mole. I'm sure they will lead me to the poem eventually, and I'm also sure that I will learn a lot more fascinating facts about the old Thailand along the way. I first visited the N.E. of Thailand 53 years ago as a young Brit soldier and stayed for over 2 years. I haven't been the same since.
Thanks again, RR

^!0 posts in a couple of days...You trying to get on steady?...Heh...Apply to [email protected]...

Originally Posted by Kurgen

There was a young man from Korat

Thanks for the limerick on Korat Kurgen, in the modern idiom I'd say.
How about writing another using the alternative name for the town; "Nakhon Ratchasima".
I once got into awful muddle with Thai place names and ended up on a bus for Nakhon Phanom when I wanted to go to Nakhon Pathom. But that's me all over.
regards , RR

I once got into awful muddle with Thai place names and ended up on a bus for Nakhon Phanom when I wanted to go to Nakhon Pathom. But that's me all over.
regards , RR[/QUOTE]

Yer but what a great way to see the world!!

Originally Posted by Restless Rider

How about writing another using the alternative name for the town; "Nakhon Ratchasima".

There was a lass from Nakhon Ratchasima,
Her wheels were a Wave, but she wanted a Beemer.
So she took off her drawers,
And got on all fours,
Then charged the punters to ream her.

Originally Posted by Bogon

The poet was called Sriprat.

Poet you say?

^ Probably not one of his best poems, but he did have a dude standing behind him with a massive sword ready to chop his head off whilst writing it.

I would give it 7/10 for effort.

Originally Posted by Bogon

but he did have a dude standing behind him with a massive sword ready to chop his head off whilst writing it.

Fair point.


I wrote mine with a pencil shoved down my japs eye, which was nice.

Sa Lang Dap Sri Prat Sri Prat was a great Ayutthaya poet who prospered during the reign of King Narai the Great. However, when he had a misconduct related to royal customs, he was banished to Nakhon Si Thammarat. He later committed adultery and was executed by Chao Phraya Nakhon. Sa Lang Dap Sri Prat is the pond where Chao Phraya Nakhon washed off his sword after the execution. King Narai found out that Sri Prat was executed and was very angry with Chao Phraya Nakhon. So he decided to execute Chao Phraya Nakhon as well- with the same sword! Sa Lang Dap Sri Prat is located in Kanlayaneesithammarat School. From the Thawang intersection on Ratchadamnern Road, go straight towards Wat Phra Mahathat. When you pass the police station, turn left at the fountain. Then you will see the school on the right hand side. Before you come to the intersection with Pratukhao Road, look through the school’s fence and you will see Sa Lang Dap Sri Prat. Located by the pond is a statue of Sri Prat. The pond now is very peaceful, filled with fish and lotus plants. One of his poems is inscribed on stone next to his statue as well. There is a new building there designated with the name “Building of the Poet Sri Prat.” It serves as a memorial to Sri Prat for the people who walk through the area in remembrance of him.

Dillinger.

That poem is worse than the headless Thai blokes.

I also had a blunt instrument inserted, whilst pasting that

Originally Posted by Bogon

The poet was called Sriprat.

Here is a translation of the poem.

"I call the Earth to act as a witness, for I too am a man with a teacher.
He ordered my execution though I have committed no wrong.
If I was not wrong, may this sword pay him back".

If you need any more info, then post it here.

Bogon.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for rapid response Bogon, I don't get onto many forums, it looks like short and sweet posts are the norm. But being able to communicate without stammering makes me a bit over enthusiastic and longwinded! I'm doing a online based course with a company called Thai Style and using one of their local (UK) teachers. (wish I was 50 years younger).I'm Concentrating on Reading and Writing and Listening.
Could possibly you post the Poem in Thai please so I can pretend that I translated it myself. (cheat). Cheers, RR

Looks like a job for Tod Daniels

Originally Posted by Restless Rider

Could possibly you post the Poem in Thai please so I can pretend that I translated it myself.

I only have it in English. I studied him in a Thai history course at uni and I dug out the old textbook, but it's all in English.

I will have a quick scan online to see if I can find it, but to be honest you should hope that Tod Daniels swoops in with his cape and points you in the right direction because he is good at this stuff.

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

I wrote mine with a pencil shoved down my japs eye

Originally Posted by Dillinger

I also had a blunt instrument inserted

Just looking round the house now for something to insert. I hope it gives me the inspiration that you two get...

Here you go RR

ธรณีนี่นี้ เป็นพยาน
เราก็ศิษย์มีอาจารย์ หนึ่งบ้าง
เราผิดท่านประหาร เราชอบ
เราบ่ผิดท่านมะล้าง ดาบนั้นคืนสนอง
(Oh, this earth, be the witness
I'm a student who has a teacher, at least one
I'm guilt, you execute, I'm okay
I'm not guilt, you kill, that sword shall return)

It's the famous poem of ancient Thai poet, Sri Prachya(don't know if it's written like this, but it's ศรีปราชญ์)
He's well-known for being a casanova, but he kinda quit that in his late life as he was banished to the south for having an affair with the ruler's lover.
Because of his great talent as a poet, everyone envy him, and then set up a plan to accuse him for having affair with the south ruler's lover...
He was, then, executed... before he died, he used his toe to write this on the ground...
After that, the ruler, who first banished Sri Prachya, missed his favorite poet so much that he could let Sri Prachya return, but after finding that Sri Prachya was beheaded, he got so anger that he execute the ruler of the south in the same way he did with Sri Prachya... hence the part "เราบ่ผิดท่านมะล้าง ดาบนั้นคืนสนอง"

Nicked it from here - thai-language.com - Forums - Culture and Current Events

Hope it helps.

Originally Posted by Bogon

Just looking round the house now for something to insert. I hope it gives me the inspiration that you two get

I see it worked then.