Memories in the Entertainment Media of The Story ‘Four Reigns’

Abstract

The literary work "Four Reigns" captures a historical narrative spanning from the decline of King Rama V's reign to the era of King Rama VIII, undergoing a transition into a televised script. This evolution into a contemporary and widely embraced medium, the television drama, prompted an inquiry into the theme of memory within the original literary work (1953) and an examination of artificial memories presented in its televised adaptation, "Four Reigns" (2003). The study's findings reveal that the literary content of "Four Reigns" functions as a reservoir of memories intricately interwoven with Thai history and societal dynamics, effectively delineating cultural shifts from the reign of King Rama V to King Rama VIII. The prominence of "Four Reigns" in literary circles facilitated its adaptation into a televised script.Notably, the analysis emphasizes that memories embedded within television scripts are intentionally crafted as artificial constructs by mass media entities, strategically establishing connections with Thai political institutions. This purposeful manipulation of awareness significantly contributes to an enriched understanding of Thai societal history through the specific perspective of political institutions.