The Concepts of the Thai Nation in Malai Chupinij’s Literary Works

Abstract

 This research aims to study the concept of the Thai nation in the literary works of Malai Chupinij and to examine the influence of the western concept of nation in Malai Chupinij's works of literature. The researcher collected data from Malai Chupinij's short stories and novels that have themes or reflect the Thai nation's perception. This research used the concept of the nation from Ernest Renan and the concept of imagined communities from Benedict Anderson as the conceptual framework for considering Malai Chupinij’s concept of nation. The research result was presented by using descriptive analysis. The result of this study found that five literary works of Malai Chupinij show the theme or reflect the perception of the Thai nation; Chewit deaw, Myung Nimit, Long Phrai: Jao Phandin, Long Phrai: Manut Naka and Long Phrai: Manut Himmapan. The above pieces of literature reflect the author's viewpoints on the Thai nation that 1) the Thai nation was formed by the integration of Thai people, the land of the Thai nation, Thai culture, and sovereignty of the Thai nation, 2) the land of Thai nation is fertile and safe for Thai people, 3) the Thai nation belongs to Thai people; therefore they must concern and protect the Thai nation as the nation's owner. Malai
Chupinij's concept of the nation reflects the influence of the concept of the nation-state and the government's public relations at that time. The Literary Works have shown the beginning of the author's imaginary community.