From the Royal Literature Becoming the Popular General literature: The Role and Status of Phra Abhai Mani Having Been Changed According to the Social Dimensions

Abstract

The objective of this academic article is to study the role and the status of the literature named "The Story of Phra Abhai Mani," which has changed according to social dimension by analyzing the document Phra Abhai Mani composed by Sunthorn Phu and songs related to literature. Phra Abhai Mani published a YouTube channel with ten songs. The results showed that Phra Abhai Mani has changed according to social dimension in four areas: Phra Abhai Mani in the role of Heritage Literature, Phra Abhai Mani in the textbook, Phra Abhai Mani in the song, and Phra Abhai Mani in the role of presenting tourist attractions. As a result, both Phra Abhai Mani's role in heritage literature and textbooks are a source of study for Thai identity and preservation. Moreover, Phra Abhai Mani, in song and tourist attractions,
inspires artists to adapt it to contemporary media or create other forms of art, which helps attract people. It also makes literature more accessible to people in society and eliminates the feeling that literature is backward to modernity. Moreover, the change from the original to modern media and other art forms creates soft power that helps increase economic value.