Four Reigns (Si Phaendin) is novel (by M. R. Kukrit Pramoj) that is a must read for anyone with a serious interest in Thai culture and Thai history.
The story follows the life of Phloi as she lives through the reigns of four kings. As a young girl, she works for a minor courtier at King Rama V’s court. It was a time of absolute monarchy and strict observance of traditional Buddhist values, but also at a time norms, technologies, fashion, and way of life had started a path of rapid change. As Phloi ages, she experiences the disturbances and upheavals brought on the society she lives in by World War I, the Palace Revolution of 1932, and World War II.
The novel provides great information on traditional Thai culture from the perspective of minor nobility and on the changes modernization during the years leading up to and immediately after the introduction of democracy (constitutional monarchy).
I have included a link to the book in my store if you want to order it.
The author of the Four Reigns, Kukrit Pramoj, was a politician, scholar, artist, and the founder & editor of Siam Rath. He is indeed a very interesting person that lived a very interesting life. His former home (in Bangkok) is now a “heritage museum” located in Soi Prapinit (access from Soi Suan Plu or from New South Sathorn Road). On two acres of land are five old small one-room teak houses brought to Bangkok from Central Thailand. These teak houses on elevated poles in traditional Thai style were connected by open veranda and each served a specific purpose.
To visit these houses and the nice garden is to take a walk back in time.
According to my sources, Mark Zuckerberg's friends recently had their marriage ceremony at khun Kukrit's home while the dinner was held elsewhere.
For more info:
http://www.kukritshousefund.com/index.php
