OFF THE BENCH
Mae Ploi would have been so proud today
Published on June 10, 2006
If Mae Ploi, who died in 1946, had lived another 60 years - up to today - she would have witnessed the re-creation of the Old Order that she strove for but which always remained elusive.
She would have experienced inexplicable joy and happiness bearing witness to the diamond jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne.
But Ploi was only a fictional character, the protagonist in MR Kukrit Pramoj's most famous novel "The Four Reigns". She lived through the four reigns of Their Majesties King Chulalongkorn, King Vajiravudh, King Prajadhipok and King Ananda Mahidol. Kukrit deftly painted the political, social and economic changes that Thailand endured during that spectacular period, using Mae Ploi as the main character.
Her outlook on the world was that of a Siamese phudee (noble lady) who believed in karma or merit and sin.
When King Chulalongkorn passed away in 1910, Ploi was still a young girl, but she could still understand that the Old Order had come to an end. She spent the next few decades of her life witnessing dramatic changes in Siam.
Mae Ploi had been raised to be a noble lady in one of the Siamese courts and was very uncomfortable with these political and social changes.
Although she was fictional, Ploi's feeling reflected the mood of the nation at that time. Thais were in a state of uncertainty, with the nation experiencing a turbulent transition after the 1932 democratic revolution. "The entire capital city seemed shut down," she recalled.
Deep divisions existed between the older generation raised in the Grand Palace and the younger generation like Ploi's son, who joined the campaign to turn "Muang Thai into a constitutional monarchy".
The confusion was exacerbated by the backdrop of war.
At the end of the reign of His Majesty King Rama VII in 1935, Ploi well understood that the nation was unlikely to enjoy peace and democracy for long. Having learned of His Majesty's abdication, she said, "I don't want to see this country in this situation. Oh, it's a great pity."
It was a world in direct contrast to the one in which she was born. Ploi had been sent to the Grand Palace during the 42-year reign of King Chulalongkorn. At that time, the nation was fairly stable under the Old Order. She watched the nation gradually and peacefully transform with the coming of Western influence. Ploi quietly observed many changes along with her funny and forthright friend, Choi.
HM King Prajadhipok's abdication and the transformation of Siam in the 1930s plunged Ploi, and many other Thais, into a state of confusion. The future of the monarchy was in question, but the arrival of King Rama VIII restored a sense of security to the nation.
Ploi vividly recalled the days when she joined the Bangkok crowds and welcomed the young King, who returning from his studies in Switzerland. Ploi joined Bangkokians at Sanam Luang eagerly awaiting the return of Nai Luang to the Kingdom, watching as His Majesty passed in a motorcade en route to the Grand Palace.
"As the King went by, the cheering started: 'Chaiyo! Chaiyo!' The triumphant cry grew louder with each passing second ... and this gave another dimension to what is called khwam chongrak pakdi [love and loyalty] from a citizen towards a King."
Ploi thought the young King would restore the glorious reign. "He was our rediscovered source of hope and joy, which had been in short supply for so long."
Thus, Mae Ploi was heartbroken when she learned that His Majesty had passed away on June 9, 1946. First, she wept quietly and sat in stunned silence. Then, Ploi felt deeply exhausted. She felt a great longing to rest, to sleep.
But before sleep finally came, certain thoughts formed in her mind. Why did Nai Luang have to die? She couldn't make any sense of it. "But I'm so tired. I've lived under four reigns - lived a long time - long enough?" Thus ends "The Four Reigns".
In her final moment, she recalled a moment of joy when she caught a glimpse of His Majesty with his younger brother by his side. "'Long may he reign over us!' she was crying, as were many women and men on the pavement in front of her," said the book.
Had Mae Ploi lived another 60 years, she, like all Thais today, would have felt extremely proud of the monarch she first saw during his brief return from Switzerland. That future monarch, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has reigned now for 60 years, during which he has managed to bring peace and stability to Thailand - and create a New Order of his own.
Jeerawat Na Thalang
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April 28, 2010 07:34 pm (Thai local time)
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