SUWANNASIAN, OMLOMTOMKHAM, AND THAOHUA : SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME

Abstract

Suwannasian, Omlomtomkham, and Thaohua are found in central region, northern region, and northeastern region, respectively. All of these literatures originate from SuwannasirasaJataka. Thus, these literatures are similar in term of plot and theme with some variations in smaller details such as characters, settings, and situations. These details were changed in order to make the literatures more suitable for regions.

These 3 literatures play important roles as a form of entertainment and a mean to convey social code of conduct to community members. Thaohua is the most notable case because of it popularity. Omlomtomkham is less popular but it is used frequently in Buddhist sermon. Suwannasian is also likely to be recited among people. In case of social aspects which are presents in literatures, these aspects can be similar or different depend on the characteristics of each communities and historical facts such as the overseas trade in early Rattanakosin era, mentions in Suwannasian.