การศึกษาเชิงเปรียบเทียบเรื่อง พระรถ-เมรี ฉบับต่าง ๆ / นันทพร พวงแก้ว = A comparative study of various versions of Phra Rot - Meri / Nantaporn Poung Kaew
The purpose of this thesis is to collect and study the stories of Phra Rot-Meri in Thailand, both in non-verbal and verbal literature as well as international tales that have s similar plot as the Thai Phra Rot-Meri with the intention of showing its popularity and comparing various versions of Phra Rot-Meri in order to try to find its source. From the study, it is found that Phra Rot-Meri is very popular in Thailand. It exists in the form of prose and poetry and very well known in all parts of Thailand. Besides some foreign tales, especially Indian, Sri Lanka, Arabian, Shan and Laotian : tales are found to have a similar plot. This shows that the Thai version of Phra Rot-Meri was influenced by literature from other countries. These tales spread throughout Thailand in the form of folktales. The motifs found in Phra Rot-Meri were added throughout the years and details were altered until it became accepted as one of Thai folktales. There are still many palm-leave inscription versions which were not transcribed in many temples in the northern part of Thailand. Therefore it is advantage to study these versions. In addition, it is advantage to collect and study other Thai folktales in the same way as Phra Rot-Meri.
