Prince Thammathibet Chaiyachet Suriyawong (Thai: เจ้าฟ้าธรรมธิเบศไชยเชษฐ์สุริยวงศ์), also titled Prince Senaphithak (Thai: เจ้าฟ้าเสนาพิทักษ์) and known poetically as Prince Narathibet (Thai: เจ้าฟ้านราธิเบศร์), or more commonly Prince Kung (Thai: เจ้าฟ้ากุ้ง, RTGS: Chao Fa Kung; 1715–1755), served as Viceroy (Front Palace) of the Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1741 to 1755.
Renowned for his versatility, he excelled in several fields. In literature, he produced a number of distinguished works, including Kap He Ruea (The Royal Barge Chant), Nanthopanan Sut Kham Luang, and Phra Malai Kham Luang. Despite his wide-ranging abilities, he is best remembered as one of the foremost poets in Thai literature, and he also composed music for the Royal Barge Procession.
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Life
Thammathibet, Prince Senaphithak was the eldest son of King Borommakot (reg. 1733 to 1758) and Princess Aphainuchit or Phra Phan Watsa Yai.
In his poetic works praised for their lyrical language, Thammathibet describes the beauty of the Royal Barge procession, illustrating the work of the rowers, the individual boats, and the sight of the entire procession fleet. Nature, both plant and animal life, are also themes of his poetry. He often deals with the beauty of women, a subject which eventually led to disaster in real life.