The Narratives of King Taksin the Great in Thai's Historiography 2008 – 2015

Abstract

This research purposed 1) to study the story of King Taksin the Great and 2) to study the importance of King Taksin's story in Thai history, which published between 2008 – 2015 amount 18 stories.

The results of the study found that, (1) there are three types of narratives of King Taksin the Great, namely, the first type refers to information from historical documents, create a new narrative by referencing information from historical documents (2) The importance of the story of King Taksin the Great in Thai historical fiction 2008-2015. That is, various stories related to King Taksin that were produced became historical information that appeared in historical writings. Thonburi in the later period These stories are divided into three parts.

First, the importance of narratives as historical facts. Narratives were originally created by creating new stories that may or may not contain historical data as empirical evidence. Later, the story was reproduced in historical writings. The story becomes a universally acknowledged historical fact. As in the case of the story of the Chinese prophecy that King Taksin and Chao Phraya Maha Kasatsuek would both become kings. The story of Mr. Thongdee Funkhao or Phraya Phichai Dap Hak,  close soldier who was so loyal that he was willing to die along with King Taksin. The story of King Taksin's son being the ruler of Nakhon Si Thammarat, etc.

Second, the importance of King Taksin's origins was emphasized in order to strengthen his social status as the heroic king who saved independence. It is mainly a creation of a narrative to accompany historical events regarding his adoptive father, mother, birth, merit, and abilities of King Taksin. For example, the story of a python slithering and coiling around a baby's shell. The story of King Taksin's mother The story of King Taksin being able to summon rain.

Thirdly, giving importance to new stories that explain stories or events that have a connection with King Taksin. This story has therefore become a historical anecdote with the aim of completing the history of King Taksin more completely, such as the story of the photograph of King Taksin. The story of the Phattharabit figwood throne hall The story of King Taksin's plan to fake madness, etc.