Abstract:
To analyze the political and social environment of the Lanna Kingdom that is reflected in the historical novels from the period of King Kawiloros Suriyawong to Chao Kaew Nawarat era. Chao Chan Pom Horm Niras Prathat in-kwaen by Mala Khamchan, Rak Nakara by Piyaporn Sakdi-kasem, Thaptan 1902 by Por Wang Nan, and Wieng Waen Fah and Nueng Fah Din Diew by Krissana Asoksin are enlisted for this study. The study analyses the political dimension of these novels, the authors present the power relations within the Lanna Kingdom and the Siam with Burma (Myanmar), and the West. The Siameese reign over Lanna as protectorate, lie to the incorporation of the Lanna Kingdom as past of the nation. The authors have different attitudes towards such centralizing policies. Krissana Asoksin and Piyaporn Sakdi-kasem, who are not from the Lanna Kingdom, agree with the incorporations of Lanna into Siam, unlike Mala Khamchan and Por Wang Nan, who were born in the area previously know as the Lanna Kingdom. Mala Khamchan's novel reflects his viewpoint that Siam was the invader and overthrew the local power. Likewise, Por Wang Nan indicates the resistance reaction of Lanna people to Siam administration. This study also aims to analyse the social relations of Lanna people, especially in terms of class and gender. Social structure, myths, believes, values, and traditions are factors that determine the roues and duties of Lanna people. In addition, the image of Lanna women is another object of study. Their toughness and determination are related to two issues, ie, the social structure of the Lanna Kingdom itself and the modern attitude of the women writers. The portrayal of Lanna women in the novels sometimes these resembles that of the modern women today