Literature and Drama.
The best expression of the Thai literary genius is found in poetry. Thai verse contains a great variety of meters, and the tonal quality of the language provides an additional metrical device not available in non-tonal languages. Tonal measure usually takes the place of rhyme, although in at least one form, the Kap, both are employed. Thai poetry is unlimited with regard to subject, but perhaps the best known and most numerous poems are the elegantly expressed and very musical love songs known as Klon'pet ton. The Klon'pet ton are very brief, eight- line verses in tw…
