Khun Chang Khun Phaen, the most famous epic of Thai literature

Almost every Thai knows the tragic story of the classic love triangle between Khun Chang, Khun Phaen and the lovely Wanthong.

Many can recite parts of it. It has been made into plays, a number of films, television series, and adaptations into books and cartoons. Songs and proverbs are about it and in Suphanburi and Phichit many streets are named after characters from this story. The name Phaen appeals Thailand the same as with us Romeo or Casanova, a great lover or a womanizer, if you will.

Background

Perhaps the story traces its roots to a true event sometime in the 17th century. It was then passed down orally and continuously expanded with new storylines and details. Touring theater companies performed parts of the story; everywhere in Thailand they could count on an enthusiastic audience. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that the story was written down at court, the missionary Samuel Smith printed it in 1872, while the edition by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab is best known.

The book has been beautifully translated into English by the well-known couple Chris Baker and Pasuk Pongpaichit with the title 'The Tale of Khun Chang Khun Phaen, Siam's great folk epic of love, war and tragedy', and published by Silkworm Books (2010) . The bound edition costs 1500 baht but a paperback edition has recently appeared which I have not seen yet. The book contains extensive illuminating notes and many beautiful drawings that together provide a complete picture of all layers of Thai society at the time.

Brief summary of the story

Chang, Phaen and Wanthong grow up together in Suphanburi. Chang is an ugly, short, bald man, foul-mouthed, but rich. Phaen, on the other hand, is poor but handsome, brave, good at martial arts and magic. Wanthong is the most beautiful girl in Suphanburi. She meets Phaen, a novice at the time, during Songkran and they begin a passionate affair. Chang tries to conquer Wanthong with his money but love wins. Phaen leaves the temple and marries Wanthong.

A few days later, the king summons Phaen to lead a military campaign against Chiang Mai. Chang seizes his chance. He spreads a rumor that Phaen has fallen and, with Wanthong's mother and his wealth as allies, succeeds in capturing the reluctant Wanthong. Wanthong enjoys her comfortable life with her new, considerate and faithful husband.

Then Phaen returns from his victory on the battlefield with a beautiful woman, Laothong, as spoils. He goes to Suphanburi and claims his first wife, Wanthong. After a jealous argument between Laothong and Wanthong, Phaen leaves, leaving Wanthong with Chang. For an offense, the king takes possession of Laothong.

Phaen returns to Suphanburi and kidnaps Wanthong. They live in solitude in the jungle for several years. When Wanthong becomes pregnant, they decide to return to Ayutthaya where Phaen annoys the king by asking for Laothong's return. Phaen is imprisoned where Wanthong takes good care of him.

But then Chang in turn kidnaps Wanthong and takes her to his house where she gives birth to Phaen's son. He is given the name Phlai Ngam and grows up as the spitting image of his father. In a jealous mood, Chang tries to kill him by leaving him in the jungle, which fails, and Phlai Ngam retreats to a temple.

Years pass in which Phlai Ngam follows in his father's footsteps. He is victorious on the battlefield of war and love. Chang does not give up the fight for Wanthong. He begs the king to definitively recognize Wanthong as his wife. The king summons Wanthong to him and orders her to choose between her two lovers. Wanthong hesitates, naming Phaen as her great love and Chang as her faithful protector and good caretaker, whereupon the king rages and condemns her to be beheaded.

Wanthong is taken to the execution site. Her son Phlai Ngam makes an utmost effort to soften the king's heart, the king pardons and commutes the sentence to imprisonment. Swift horsemen, led by Phlai Ngam, immediately depart from the palace. Unfortunately too late, as from afar they see the executioner raise the sword and just as Phlai Ngam arrives, it falls Wanthong's head.

Character of the story

The story is fascinating and varied and never gets boring. It is interspersed with folksy humour, erotic scenes, emotional and cruel moments, descriptions of parties, battles and everyday events. A universal story about love and hate, faithfulness and infidelity, envy and loyalty, joy and sorrow. The characters are drawn from life and linger. Each page offers something new and interesting. Those who don't mind a thousand pages (but if you know the storyline, you can also read parts of it very well) have an experience richer.

A few passages from the book

'….Her skin felt velvety soft. Her breasts were pointed like lotuses with petals on the point of bursting apart. She was fragrant, sweet and very lovable. A storm rumbled, and fierce clouds gathered. Dust swirled in a monsoon wind. Thunder crashed across the universe. Beyond resistance, waters flooded the whole three worlds. The storm subsided, darkness dispelled, and the moon shone brilliantly. Both were bathed in bliss….”

'…Many different performances played at the same time, and throngs of people walked around to watch. Gentlefolk, ordinary people, and paupers all jostled shoulder to shoulder. Young country girls with powered faces wearing flimsy white upperclothes and lowerclothes in peeled-lotus design. They kept bumping into people and making others laugh. Their faces looked afraid and embarrassed at their carelessness. Unruly drunks staggered around, raising their fists to challenge passersby for a fight. They abused anyone who got in their way until they were clapped in the stocks, red-eyed….'

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