Political Worlds of Yuan Phai Khlong Dan

Abstract

Yuan Phai Khlong Dan is one of the most important literary works of Ayutthaya (1350-1767 A.D.). It is a long historical poem eulogizing King Boromatrailokanat (1448-1488 A.D.) for his victory over King Tilokarat (1442-1487 A.D.) of Chiang Mai. Written in a combination of old Thai, Cambodian, Sanskrit, and Pali languages, Yuan Phai Khlong Dan is a very difficult text for Thais tody to read.

In this article, the researcher proposes that there are two worlds of politics in Yuan Phai Khlong Dan. The first one is the ideal political world in which kingship has the qualities of both Brahmanic gods and the Lord Buddha. The secong one is the world of realpolitik where the king must employ his own statecraft and efforts to expand or defend his kingdom at all costs.