Four Reigns
Four Reigns is a Thai historical novel by Kukrit Pramoj. First serialized in the Siam Rath newspaper from 1951 to 1952 and published in book form in 1953, the novel follows the life of Phloi, a girl from a noble family who is brought to live in the royal court. As she grows up and lives her life through the reigns of kings Rama V to Rama VIII, she witnesses the social and political changes in the country leading to and following the abolishment of absolute monarchy in 1932. It is one of the most influential Thai novels, widely regarded as a classic and described by the Encyclopaedia Britannica as "probably the best-selling Thai novel of all time." Four Reigns offers a nostalgic view on the monarchy and aristocracy, contrasting what it paints as former glory days to the struggles Phloi faces following the political upheaval.
Plot
The novel follows the life of Phloi, a woman born into a minor noble family in Siam during the late nineteenth century, and traces her experiences from childhood to old age across the reigns of four monarchs of the Chakri dynasty. The story begins during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, when Phloi is sent at a young age to serve in the Inner Palace. There, she is raised under strict court discipline, learning royal customs, etiquette, and the hierarchical rules that govern palace life. Her childhood and adolescence are largely shaped by this enclosed environment, where loyalty to the monarchy and adherence to tradition are emphasized, and where relationships among palace women from the center of her social world.After leaving palace service, Phloi returns to life outside the court and marries Prem, a government official. She adjusts to her new role as a wife and later as a mother, establishing a household and raising children while relying on the values and discipline instilled during her palace years. As Prem advances in his career, the family experiences both periods of stability and financial difficulty. During this time, Siam begins to undergo administrative reforms and gradual modernization, which increasingly affect everyday life. Phloi observes these changes largely through their impact on her family, particularly on her children, who are educated in new ways and exposed to ideas different from those of her youth.
The story continues into the reign of King Vajiravudh, when Western influences becomes more visible in Siamese society. Cultural practices, education, and government institutions evolve, creating a growing distance between the traditions Phloi learned in the palace and the realities faced by the younger generation. Although she remains devoted to the monarchy and its customs, she must adapt to a society that no longer revolves around palace life.
During the reign of King Prajadhipok, the political situation changes dramatically with the Siamese Revolution of 1932, which ends absolute monarchy and introduces constitutional rule. This shift brings uncertainty and instability, particularly for those connected to the old aristocratic order. Phloi and her family experience emotional and economic strain as established social structures weaken and long-standing privileges disappear. Her loyalty to the monarchy remains strong, even as the political environment around her transforms.
In the final portion of the book, set during the reign of King Ananda Mahidol, Thailand is affected by the upheavals of World War II. Wartime conditions, shortages, and fear disrupt daily life, and Phloi endures personal losses within her family. As she grows older, many figures from her younger life pass away, including people associated with the royal court. By the end of the story, Phloi is an elderly woman living in a profoundly changes society, reflecting on a lifetime that has witnessed the reigns of the four kings and the transition of Siam from a traditional monarchy to a modern nation-state.
Main Characters
Phloi The main protagonist of the novel. Born into a minor noble family, she is sent at a young age to serve in the Inner Palace during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. The narrative follows her life from childhood through old age, depicting her experiences as a palace attendant, wife, mother, and elderly woman living through major political and social changes in Siam.Prem Phloi's husband. He is a government official whose career reflects the evolving administrative and political environment of the country. Through Prem, the book portrays the pressures faced by civil servants during periods of reform, revolution, and national instability. His work and fortunes significantly affect Phloi's family life.
Phloi's Children They represent the younger generation raised during a time of modernization and political change. They grow up in a society increasingly shaped by Western education, new social values, and shifting loyalties, contrasting with Phloi's upbringing within the traditional palace system.
Members of the Inner Palace Which include women and attendants with whom Phloi forms close relationships during her youth. These figures collectively illustrate the structured and hierarchical nature of court life and play an important role in shaping Phloi's early worldview and sense of duty.
Royal figures Which appear throughout the novel as historical presences rather than central characters. The reigns of King Chulalongkorn, King Vajiravudh, King Prajadhipok, and King Ananda Mahidol provide the political and historical framework within which Phloi's life goes.
Adaptation
Four Reigns has been adapted multiple times for many media forms in Thailand, most notably through television and stage productions.The novel has been produces as a television drama series several times since the 1960's. Over the course of four decades, new versions of the story were broadcast approximately once ever decade, reflecting the novel's enduring popularity on Thai television. These televised adaptations presented the story in serialized form for domestic audiences, illustrating the events from the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century as depicted in the original work.
In addition to television, Four Reigns has been adapted for the stage as a musical production. Beginning in 2011, director Takonkiet Viravan produced a theatrical musical interpretation of the novel at the Rachadalai Theatre, with veteran Thai actors portraying principal roles. The musical version was revived in subsequent years, including productions in 2014 and beyond, and has been described in press coverage as a major theatrical event drawing public attention.
Older televisions adaptations have also seen renewed life through restoration and rebroadcast on modern platforms. For example, archival footage from earlier series was remastered into high-definition format and shown on digital television channels, enabling contemporary audiences to experience historic versions of the story.