June 26th of every year is celebrated in Thailand as Sunthorn Phu day (วันสุทรภู่). Sunthorn Phu is Thailand’s best-known royal poet in Rattanakosin era (สมัยรัตนโกสินทร์) in the reign of King Rama II. Every Thai student has to learn his poem at school.
On Sunthorn Phu day, the students take part in writing competitions and listen to his poems.
I still remember his Phra Aphai Mani poems (กลอนพระอภัยมณี) I learned when I was 14. It is about two princes get banned from their palace by their father. During their journey, one of the brothers, Phra Apai Mani, is seduced by a beautiful woman who changes into a sea ogress (นางผีเสื้อสมุทร). Later he fell in love with a mermaid; they have a son named Sudsakorn (สุดสาคร). (He was born at Ko Kaeo Pisadan without ever seeing his father. When he grew up he starts his adventure to seek his father). The sea ogress becomes jealous, and goes after them. His brother Sri Suvan (ศรีสุวรรณ) and a couple of warriors want to rescue him.
If you have been to Samed island, I am sure you have seen the statue of Phra Aphai Mani sitting by the mermaid near Sai Kaew beach (หาดทรายแก้ว), and the statue of the sea ogress in front of the main pier.