Political Implication in “Sepha Khun Chang - Khun Phaen”

Abstract

This research is a study of the political implications in the Vajirayan Royal Library version of “Sepha Khun Chang - Khun Phaen”. It aims to provide an explanation on the political implications, which appeared in the text and the context, and the political agenda that prompted the revision and publication of this literature in 1917 by utilising detailed interpretation of the text and contextual analysis. This research shows that the body of the Vajirayan Royal Library version of “Sepha Khun Chang - Khun Phaen” can be portrayed as a social reality that highlights the correlation between the people of different classes in the social hierarchy. The literature also covers the concept of loyalty, especially that of the government officials to the royal institute. Furthermore, once the status and role of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the then president of the Vajirayan Royal Library, and the Thai State’s context at that time into account, it reveals a hypothesis suggesting that the creation of this book was not by the reason “to preserve a well-versed Thai literature permanently” as the prince stated, but instead by a political reason which purposefully intended to foster people’s loyalty to the royal institute by using the aforementioned portrayal as a model.

Keywords: Loyalty, Palace Revolt of 1912, Sepha Khun Chang - Khun Phaen