The purpose of this thesis is to study and analyse the characteristics of kings is Thai literature of the following periods and types: 1. The literature from the Ayudhaya period to the Early Ratanakosin period. 2. Pure literature, i.e. not didactic literature but literature that is aimed at entertaining and giving pleasure to the readers. 3. Thai indigenous literature, including Thai literature derived from foreign sources but with localized background. In writing this thesis, the writer first studied and listed out the ideal characteristic of kings that old Indian scholars had described and that had been well accepted in Thailand. To analyse the characteristics of kings in literature of the specified periods, the writer classified kings into types according to their importance and position. However, kings in Lakhon Nok are classified as a separate group because of the unusual, humorous characteristics that this type of literature assigned for them. In analyzing kings in literature, the writer compared and contrasted their common as well as unique characteristics. The conclusion of typical characteristics of kings was finally made and the writer’s suggestion to further study was also given.
