In 1809, King Rama I died and King Rama II succeeded to the throne. King Rama II was himself a poet of genius, and he saw in Sunthorn Phu a kindred spirit. Soon after his accession, therefore, His Majesty gave the young poet a position at court. Sunthorn Phu quickly proved his worth. When the King was writing his Ramakien, he often consulted the port on different points connected with versification and always found him with a ready answer. His Majesty was therefore very pleased with him and created him Khun Sunthorn Voharn and kept him near his person whenever he was writing.
Unfortunately, however, Sunthorn Phu could not leave off drinking, and this soon got him into trouble. One day, when he was drunk, he had a quarrel with his mother. One of his uncles tried to intervene, and the poet turned on him and severely injured him. This came to the ears of the King. His Majesty was strongly displeased and ordered the unruly young man to be put in prison.