Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study "Klon-Suat- literature on Vessantara of Thungsong, Nakorn Si Thammarat version". This Klon-Suat was inscribed with Thai alphabets in Thai ancient writing pattern. 2 similar copies of Vessantara Klon-Suat are researched to conserve and propagate the local southern literature.This thesis consists of 5 chapters. The first chapter describes the rationale, objectives, scope of the study, research methodology, and benefits gained from conducting the research. Chapter 2 deals with the characteristics of the ancient manuscripts of Vessantara of ThungSong, Nakorn Si Thammarat version. Alphabets, grammatical structure, Chapter 3 explains people's ways of life, traditions, morals, and beliefs. Chapter 4 discusses language and southern dialects utilized in the literature. And the last chapter discusses the conclusion and suggestions for further research.The research finds that Klon-Suat-literature on Vessantara of ThungSong, Nakron Si Thammarat version is a well crafted southern literature. There are the uses of southern dialect and idioms. This literature is used for chanting in the southern region. The story is paced without the exact episodes. This book was written in Kaap (a kind of Thai poetry patterned and rhymed by counted unit). Kaap 22 and Kaap 23, which are local southern peotic styles were used. This Klon-Suat portraits the southerners' ways of life, traditions, morals, and beliefs. Consequently, it can be said that Klon-Suat-literature on Vessantara of ThungSong, Nakorn Si Thammarat version is one of the most valuable southern literatures.