An Overview of Contemporary Political Writings about the Mekong Countries

Abstract

This research article summarizes the exploration and examination of novels, short stories, and memoirs set in the Mekong region. The focus is on contemporary works written in or translated into English or Thai that reveal the authors’ attempts to fight the abuse of power of the ruling class or to highlight the plight of those suffering from injustice, oppression, or exploitation. Based on the analysis of these writings, three main issues emerged which are the central concern of these authors: the use of nationalist ideology by the ruling class as a means to facilitate their abuse of power, the prevalence of male-dominated culture that relegates women to disadvantaged positions, and the treatment of ethnic minorities.