Sunthorn Phu was born in the reign of King Rama I, on 26 June 1786 (year of the Horse), around 8.00 a.m. His family's house was behind the royal palace, near the present day Bangkok Noi railway station and Wang Lang market. It is generally understood that his father was from Ban Kram, Klaeng District, Rayong Province, but in the belief of a new generation of historians that in fact. His father was of Brahmin lineage from Ban Samo Phlue, Ban Lat District in Phetchaburi Province today.