Jindamanee, the first Thai textbook.

        The Academic Resource Center strongly suggests Thailand's first textbook in e-book format, produced by the Fine Arts Department.

        Jindamanee is is the first Thai-language textbook to appear in history. Jindamanee served as a textbook from the Ayutthaya period through the early Rattanakosin period. The content concentrates on teaching the fundamentals of spelling and composing different forms of poetry.

        Jinda means thought, and Manee means crystal, so Jindamanee signifies the crystal that contains the light of thought. It's comparable to when a literate individual who can read a book is holding a mystical and extremely valuable amulet. It is a gemstone that reflects the wisdom and thoughts of its owner.

        Jindamanee Volume 1 and Jindamanee Complete Edition (6th edition) in electronic book format, original from the Fine Arts Department, available for free reading at https://finearts.go.th/main/view/18327

Written, translated, and illustrated by: Ratchanok T.