Thailand.

World
Comics

Thailand

1932

In short

Thai comics are called kartun, or nangsue kartun.

Prayoon Chanyavongs, known as the King of Cartoons, created the Cartoon Likay genre of folk-tale comics from 1938, and in the 1970s the editor Vithit Utsahajit launched Kai Hua Roh and Maha Sanuk, among the largest-circulation Thai comics.

Thailand in numbers

01 • 04

Thailand in numbers · 01 • 04

1932

2000s

Artists

Artists from Thailand in the archive.

Comics from Thailand in the archive.

Sang Thong, the earliest comic from Thailand in the archive.

The decade when the most new comics from Thailand began.

Artists from Thailand in the archive.

Comics from Thailand in the archive.

Sang Thong, the earliest comic from Thailand in the archive.

The decade when the most new comics from Thailand began.

kartun

kartun · Comics from Thailand

History

Thailand in 2 chapters

A short history you can leaf through. Click a page, use the arrow keys, or press Turn the page to read on.

World Comics Heritage

Thailand.

2 chapters

Turn the page

Chapter 1

1938

to 1972

Cartoon Likay

Cover

1938
to 1972
Chapter 01
Cartoon Likay
From 1938 Prayoon Chanyavongs created Cartoon Likay, a Thai genre that joins folk tales and the likay theatre form with comics.
1973
to today
Chapter 02
Mass-circulation comics
Vithit Utsahajit launched Kai Hua Roh in 1973 and Maha Sanuk in 1975, both among the largest-circulation Thai comics. Nicolas Verstappen's The Art of Thai Comics (2021) is a key reference.

Essentials

The comics to know

Cartoon Likay1938Prayoon Chanyavongs. Folk-tale comics genre.
Kai Hua Roh1973Vithit Utsahajit, editor
Maha Sanuk1975Vithit Utsahajit, editor

Essentials

The people to know

Artists

More artists from Thailand

All 43 artists

Comics

31 comics from Thailand

All 31 comics

Cartoon Likay

Cartoon Likay

Mass-circulation comics