RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EARLY THAI AND KHMER PLAYS

Abstract

This article is a part of the research ‘The Relation between Thai and Khmer Literature during 2325-2403 B.E.’ which aims to study the literary relationship between Thai and Khmer plays, between 2325-2403 B.E. From studying books 75-80 in the play Riem Ker (Ramayana in the Khmer version) and the plays Inao (Khmer version) we can see that they were possibly translated from Thai plays. To composed by King Rama I, there are some similarities both in the story line and in the wording. Additionally, the verses and songs from Inao(Khmer version) and Inao(Thai version), composed by King Rama II, are also alike. Thus, the scholar concludes that Riem Ker and Inao (Khmer version) were influenced by the Thai plays Ramakienand Inao.