Traditional Isan Literature and Its Influence on Everyday Society

This investigation aims to analyze the traditional literature of North-eastern Thailand and discover how it influences everyday society. Drawn from a qualitative combination of documentary analysis, observation and interview, the research results show that the body of folk literature in this part of the world provides instruction for appropriate social behaviour. Based on firm Buddhist principles, the literature gives advice in four areas: society and administration, religion, family and education. This advice is incorporated into everyday society in the form of oral communication, the written word and entertainment in order to teach the next generations of society.