Like most countries in Asia, Thai people hold high respect and great
consideration for elders, Buddhist monks, high ranking people, and royalty.
They would not be allowed to speak back, disobey, or revolt against them in
any way. All this is true in reality, but in the imaginary world of the folktales, all
subordinates could outwit or defeat higher authorities if the authorities are not
just, or if they do not behave properly. Most trickster stories provide checks
for society to re-examine the roles of elders, Buddhist monks, high ranking
people, and royalty.
In many parts of north-east Thailand and Laos, the representative of
subordinates is a notorious trickster named Xiang Miang (pronounced “syang
myang”). In some areas, he is called Khattapa. In central Thailand, he is
called Srithanonchai. In Cambodia, he is called Ah Thonchuy Prach. In
Myanmar, he is called Saga Dausa.
Xiang Miang stories come in many episodes beginning from the trickster’s
birth and how he got his name, Xiang Miang and ending with his death at the
end of the entire story. Two episodes are related here.