Hanuman in the Thai Ramakien: Guide to the Monkey Warrior
Hanuman in the Thai Ramakien is one of the great heroes of the Thai national epic, but he is not the same character as the Hanuman of Hindu tradition. The Ramakien is Thailand’s version of the Ramayana, adapted over many centuries from earlier Indian and Southeast Asian versions into a distinctively Thai form. In it, Hanuman is more warrior than devotee, more romantic than celibate, more mischievous than steadfast. He has multiple wives, marries a mermaid, fathers children, and takes on adventures that have no parallel in the Sanskrit original. He remains loyal to Rama, but the Thai tradition has made him its own. This guide describes Hanuman specifically as he appears in the Thai Ramakien and the closely related Cambodian Reamker and Lao Phra Lak Phra Lam - not as he appears in the Hindu Sanskrit Ramayana (which is covered in the separate guide to Hanuman in Indian tradition).
Key Takeaways
- The Ramakien is Thailand’s version of the Ramayana, adapted over many centuries from earlier Indian and Southeast Asian versions.
- The Ramakien was formalised in its current major form during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809), founder of the current Thai Chakri dynasty, but preserved older Thai adaptations of the material.
- Hanuman in the Ramakien is significantly different from Hanuman in the Sanskrit Ramayana: he is more warrior-like, more mischievous, and (crucially) romantic and non-celibate.
- Ramakien Hanuman has multiple wives, including the mermaid Suvannamaccha, whom he seduces during the building of the bridge to Lanka.
- He fathers children by several wives, including Machanu (son of Suvannamaccha) and Asuraphad (son of Nangbanyakai).
- Related Southeast Asian versions of the Ramayana (Cambodian Reamker, Lao Phra Lak Phra Lam, Malay Hikayat Seri Rama, and others) preserve similar variations on the Hanuman character.
- The Ramakien is central to Thai national identity - Thai kings take the title Rama (from the epic’s hero), and the current Thai monarch is styled Rama X.
- Ramakien Hanuman is a beloved figure in Thai culture, appearing in traditional dance (khon), puppetry, temple mural art, popular literature, and modern film and comics.
Who is Ramakien Hanuman?
Hanuman in the Thai Ramakien is one of the central heroes of Thailand’s version of the Ramayana - a distinctive Southeast Asian adaptation of the Indian epic that has developed over many centuries into a specifically Thai literary and cultural tradition.
Definition - Ramakien Hanuman
Hanuman as he appears in the Thai Ramakien, Thailand’s version of the Ramayana. Ramakien Hanuman is a warrior-hero, mischievous and romantic, with multiple wives and children - significantly different from the celibate Hindu Hanuman of the Sanskrit Ramayana.
The Ramakien (literally “Glory of Rama”) is Thailand’s national epic. It was formalised in its current major form during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809), founder of the current Thai Chakri dynasty, but preserved much older Thai adaptations of the Ramayana material. Earlier versions had existed since the Sukhothai period (thirteenth to fifteenth centuries CE) and probably earlier, adapting the material brought from India via Cambodia and other intermediaries.
The Ramakien draws on the Sanskrit Ramayana of Valmiki (the earliest source), but also on other Indian versions and on Southeast Asian traditions that had developed over centuries. It changed many names (Rama becomes Phra Ram, Ravana becomes Thotsakan or Tosakanth), altered many plot elements, and added many new episodes.
How Ramakien Hanuman differs from Hindu Hanuman
The most significant difference between Ramakien Hanuman and Hindu Hanuman is Hanuman’s character.
In the Sanskrit Ramayana and in Hindu tradition, Hanuman is celibate, single-mindedly devoted to Rama, and unencumbered by romantic or familial ties. His devotion is his defining feature.
In the Ramakien, Hanuman is a warrior first and a devotee second. He is romantic, seductive, and has multiple wives. He is more directly comparable to a Thai warrior-prince (or perhaps to a European romance hero) than to a celibate devotee.
Some of Ramakien Hanuman’s wives and lovers:
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Suvannamaccha, the mermaid who commanded the fish that were disrupting the building of the bridge to Lanka. Hanuman intercepted her, seduced her, and won her cooperation. Their son is Machanu. Read Ramakien Hanuman and the mermaid Suvannamaccha.
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Nangbanyakai, a demoness who tried to lure Hanuman with the aim of killing him. He turned the seduction back on her; she bore his son Asuraphad.
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Benyakai, another female character adapted from various sources.
The Ramakien preserves these episodes as central to Hanuman’s character. Their existence changes the tradition significantly - Hanuman is no longer the archetypal celibate devotee but a warrior-hero with a complex romantic life.
Ramakien Hanuman’s adventures
Ramakien Hanuman participates in all the major episodes of the Ramayana - the search for Sita, the leap to Lanka, the great battle - but with distinctively Thai variations.
His entry into Lanka is not the direct leap of the Sanskrit tradition. It is preceded by a series of adventures. He encounters various demons, seduces enemies, discovers the location of Ravana’s queen, and gathers intelligence for Rama.
His role in the great battle is central. He fights specific demon warriors in single combat. He performs feats of strength that in the Sanskrit tradition are attributed to other characters. He carries a series of magical weapons and objects. Read Ramakien Hanuman’s adventures and Ramakien Tosakanth’s abduction of Sita.
The Ramakien also preserves specific episodes in which Hanuman’s mischievous character emerges - tricks played on demons, elaborate seductions, and moments of comedy that are largely absent from the Sanskrit tradition.
The Ramakien in Thai culture
The Ramakien is central to Thai national identity in specific ways.
Thai kings take the title Rama from the epic’s hero. The founder of the current Chakri dynasty was styled Rama I; the current king is Rama X. The name Bangkok’s older name (Rattanakosin) and various other Thai royal and geographic names derive from Ramakien elements.
The story is central to Thai classical dance (khon), the elaborate masked dance-drama that is Thailand’s most prestigious traditional performing art. Khon performances are largely Ramakien episodes. Hanuman is one of khon’s most beloved characters, and his mask - a white monkey with specific features - is one of the most iconic in Thai theatre.
The Ramakien is depicted extensively in Thai temple mural art, particularly at the Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok, where the epic is illustrated in a long series of murals covering the walls of the temple compound.
Ramakien Hanuman also appears in modern Thai popular culture - in films, comics, animations, and merchandise.
The related Southeast Asian Ramayanas
The Ramakien is one of several Southeast Asian Ramayanas, each with its own regional character.
The Cambodian Reamker is closely related to the Thai Ramakien and shares many episodes. The two traditions have influenced each other over centuries. Read Cambodian Reamker episodes.
The Lao Phra Lak Phra Lam (from the names of Lakshmana and Rama) is the Lao version. Read Lao Phra Lak Phra Lam episodes.
The Malay Hikayat Seri Rama is the Malay version. The Javanese Kakawin Ramayana is one of the oldest surviving Southeast Asian versions, preserved in Old Javanese. Balinese, Burmese, and other regional versions also exist.
Each of these traditions has its own version of Hanuman, generally sharing the pattern of the Ramakien - a more warrior-like, more romantic Hanuman than the Hindu original.
Ramakien Hanuman compared to other Ramayana Hanumans
Different Ramayana traditions preserve significantly different Hanumans.
| Tradition | Version of Hanuman | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit (Valmiki) | Original Hanuman | Celibate; devoted; central Hindu deity |
| Thai (Ramakien) | Ramakien Hanuman | Warrior; romantic; multiple wives |
| Cambodian (Reamker) | Similar to Ramakien | Warrior-hero |
| Lao (Phra Lak Phra Lam) | Similar to Ramakien | Warrior-hero |
| Javanese (Kakawin Ramayana) | Older, closer to Sanskrit | Elevated warrior |
| Malay (Hikayat Seri Rama) | Regional Malay adaptation | Various adjustments |
The Southeast Asian tradition (Thai, Lao, Cambodian, in particular) collectively developed a distinctive Hanuman that diverges from the Hindu original. The Hindu Hanuman is honoured today in Hindu worship. The Ramakien Hanuman is honoured in Thai theatrical tradition and national culture but is not typically an object of worship.
Read the stories
Ramakien and related Southeast Asian Ramayana stories appear on the site:
- Ramakien Hanuman and the Mermaid Suvannamaccha
- Ramakien Hanuman’s Adventures
- Ramakien Tosakanth’s Abduction of Sita
- Ramakien Rama’s Exile
- Cambodian Reamker Episodes
- Lao Phra Lak Phra Lam Episodes
- Kinnaree Celestial Beings
Ramakien Hanuman is what Thai tradition kept as its own version of the great monkey warrior - not the celibate devotee of the Hindu original but a warrior-hero, romantic, mischievous, capable of seducing a mermaid and fathering a son by her. His character has been central to Thai literary and theatrical tradition for centuries. His mask is one of the most beloved in Thai dance. His story is preserved not just in text but in the ongoing performance tradition of khon and in the walls of Bangkok’s most sacred temples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ramakien?
The Ramakien (“Glory of Rama”) is Thailand’s version of the Ramayana - a Southeast Asian adaptation of the Indian epic developed over many centuries. It was formalised in its current major form during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809). It draws on the Sanskrit Ramayana of Valmiki and on earlier Southeast Asian adaptations, and includes many episodes and characterisations that differ from the Indian original.
How is Ramakien Hanuman different from Hindu Hanuman?
The most significant difference is character. Hindu Hanuman is celibate, single-mindedly devoted to Rama, and defined by his devotion. Ramakien Hanuman is a warrior first, romantic and seductive, with multiple wives and children. He is more comparable to a Thai warrior-prince than to a Hindu devotional figure. Both traditions honour him, but in significantly different ways.
Who is Suvannamaccha?
Suvannamaccha is the mermaid who appears in the Ramakien during the building of the bridge to Lanka. Her fish were disrupting construction under orders from her father Ravana. Hanuman was sent to investigate. He encountered her, was struck by her beauty, and seduced her. Their son is Machanu. This episode is one of the most beloved in the Ramakien and one of the most distinctive from the Sanskrit Ramayana.
Why do Thai kings take the name Rama?
Because the Ramakien is Thailand’s national epic and Rama is its hero. When the current Chakri dynasty was founded in 1782, its first king was styled Rama I in reference to the epic. Every subsequent Chakri king has been given a Rama number - the current king is Rama X. The tradition connects the Thai monarchy to the model of righteous kingship established by Rama in the epic.
What is khon?
Khon is the elaborate masked dance-drama of Thai classical tradition, generally considered Thailand’s most prestigious traditional performing art. Khon performances are largely episodes from the Ramakien. Performers wear elaborate masks (except for the human characters, whose faces are painted), and the tradition preserves extensive stylised gestural and choreographic conventions. Hanuman’s mask - a white monkey with specific features - is one of the most iconic in the tradition.
Is Ramakien Hanuman worshipped in Thailand?
Generally no, not in the sense that Hindu Hanuman is worshipped in India. The Ramakien is a literary and theatrical tradition in Thailand, not a religious one. Thailand’s religion is primarily Theravada Buddhism, and Hanuman is not part of Thai Buddhist worship. He is honoured as a cultural and literary figure, appearing extensively in art and performance, but is not typically an object of religious worship in the way the Hindu Hanuman is.