The Dissemination And Influences Of Chinese Classical Novels In Thailand

The people of China and Thailand have established a close, reciprocal relationship for a long time. Chinese classical novels have been disseminated and exerted significant influences in Thailand via cultural exchanges. I have discovered that Chinese classical novels have enjoyed popularity in Thailand for several hundreds years, and received a warm welcome from readers of different castes. Their popularity has represented steadying influences, on several aspects of Thai culture.The Chinese classical novels in Ming and Qing Dynasty were interested by Thai's. They came to Thailand by narration, passed from generation to generation, such as Chinese Opera and various important books. From long studying and research found out that at the Thailand National Library in Bangkok (Tha Wasukri), compiled about 39 books about Chinese classical novels. Among these documents are precious. They reviewed the past editing and important the document relating the past influence in Thailand.King Rama I , Chakri Dynasty (Bangkok), he came to realize, that literature would play a big role. He later thought about the translation of books and writings from various countries. Among these books translated were "Romance of the Three Kingdom" and "The west Han", They were the first translated book. Since then until now, they have translated more than 10 stories into Thai language. In 1835, high technology in printing from abroad came into Thailand and thus enabled the printing continuely. From this point, the Chinese writing were mentioned by Thai's authors. More or less they were well supported by Chinese writings, such as the masterpiece of Sun Thorn Phu "Phra Apaimanee". The drama plays and the marionette plays were involve in them. Through these translations made the Thai people well aware of Chinese thoughts, traditions and customs.The old-fashioned main character in many stories were the Chinese Gods, such as Guan Yu in "Romance of the Three Kingdom" and Sun Wukong in "Journey to the West". Since the Chinese began immigrating into Thai, these believes pay a part into Thai society. We can find these Chinese Gods were well kept and worshipped in Chinese temple and Chinese joss-house.Otherwise the Chinese paintings were drawn in the Chinese temple, depicted to the Chinese stories. People who went to the temple to pray and made for blessing in one way and get moral support in the other way. More than that they can absorb the mural paintings. The king appreciated the Chinese customs. He gave orders to the painters, to draw Chinese themes on the walls of Thai temples too.The study to publicize the influence of Chinese literature in Thailand, still have a lot of topics need to be researched. Of these studies we can understand the good relations in many aspects, and get to the core of the factor in Chinese literature correctly.With the above in mind, 1 am certain that the dissemination and influences of Chinese classical novel in Thailand are worth studying. They are an important milestone in the history of Chinese-Thai cultural exchanges. They not only demonstrate the strong relationship between the two countries, but also prove that Chinese culture has a firm position in a foreign country like Thailand. It can harmoniously blend into Thai culture, raise its value and become an important part of Thai culture.