SUNTHORN PHU : LIFE UNDER EARLY RATTANAKOSIN COURT CULTURE AND THE IMPACT OF PATRIARCHY

Abstract

          This academic article aims to study the life of Sunthorn Phu under early Rattanakosin court culture and the impact of patriarchal power. The results of the study found that learning court culture from the Rear Palace, the Grand Palace, and the Front Palace enabled Sunthorn Phu to adapt well to the power of the patriarchal system, which led to his entry into royal service until he became renowned. However, his entry into power within the patriarchal system brought Sunthorn Phu both positive and negative effects. As for the positive effects, Sunthorn Phu received the patronage of his royal masters both in times of prosperity and in times of decline; as for the negative effects, Sunthorn Phu suffered distress in both body and mind. Nevertheless, Sunthorn Phu accepted the effects that arose, because the result of learning early Rattanakosin court culture enabled Sunthorn Phu to accept every condition that arose.