This thesis focuses on the study of Thai texts on poetics with an aim to demonstrate their concept and relation to development of Thai literary creativity and convention. According to the study, these texts namely Alangkarasatra, Subodhalangkara, Wuttodaya, Karppayasaravilasini and Kanppayakandha, Chindamani, Konlabot Siriwibunkitti, Prachumlumnum, Tamra Chanmatrapruek and Wannapruek, and Tamra Chanthaluk, all feature an endeavour to systematize and standardize patterns and principles of Thai literary poetics in the past by means of giving relevant definitions and meanings, and practising with examples. In addition, they improve and adapt traditional patterns, recreating them as new convention for Thai poetics. All the Thai texts on poetics as well as classical literature reflect "Kon", an idea of aesthetic values achieved through highly elaborate techniques in Thai literary art. This artifice device is to transfer and modify the language in aspect of sound, words and metaphor, which obviously show how Thai poets master their language, so as to create elements of literary perfection-vividness, refinement and melodiousness. The concept of "Kon" has played the key role on creating Thai literary convention, starting from Ayuddhaya to early Ratanakosin. Thai poets have employed alliteration, poetic constraints, grammar, diction and metaphor as devices to concoct "Kon" in order to demonstrate that they can use such a variety of devices to create thriving new texts.
