Political Implication in “Bot Lakhon Reung Inao”

Abstract

This article intends to answer the questions as to why “Bot Lakhon Reung Inao” is chosen to reflect political thoughts, and what political thoughts appear in this major literature. Primarily a documentary research, this article employs “Bot Lakhon Reung Inao”, the royal composition in King Phutthaloetla Naphalai, as the main text. The textual analysis and the contextual analysis are done, and it is found that within the historical contexts of the time when this literature was composed and then reworked, the core messages of this literature are consistent with at least two conditions, including (1) the state’s political ideology and (2) the society’s consumption of literatures. Not only is “Bot Lakhon Reung Inao” considered a “good book” for a script of dancing play and a “textbook” for studying Thai traditions, but it is also a “political teaching” for governors. Illustrated in the literature are examples of what governors shall not do or the seven Raja-adharma, which include (1) lust in women, (2) selfishness, (3) speaking or acting without thinking, (4) lying or telling untruths, (5) being rash and quick-tempered, (6) using brute force to solve problems, and (7) failing to uphold traditions.