Abstract:
This thesis aims to study the images of "Malaysia" presented in Thai literary prose since the period of King Rama 5th up to the present, including the study of socio - cultural contexts related to the presentation of "Malaysia" during that time (2426 B.E. through 2545 B.E.). There were 26 literary prose about Malaysia chosen in this research. The study found that during the period of King Rama 5th through the Second World War, there were 4 main images of Melayu, (1) some parts of Melayu were formerly occupied by Siam, (2) parts of Melayu that used to be the British colony became under western influences, (3) Melayu was very popular and attractive as "a foreign country" to Thai people who enjoy traveling abroad, (4) Melayu in the term of multicultural society consisted in races. During the Second World War and just about before the Federation of Malaya became independent. The 3 main images appeared that (1) Melayu ruled by England encountered a serious setback effect because of the Second World War, (2) after the war, part of Melayu was improved by England to keep going again, (3) Melayu was also the multicultural society. After the Federation of Malaya got independent in 1957 (2500 B.E.) until 2545 B.E., the 4 main images have been found (1) Malaysia has succeeded and advanced as a developed country, (2) Malaysia is the country of multicural society, (3) in term of tourism Malaysia has not only been one of the most popular travel destination among Thai people, but also the competitor of Thailand as well, (4) the good relationship and cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia has been set by that time. The appearance of these images of "Malaysia" in the different period of time were related to many factors like, socio - cultural, historical and geographical contexts, including the policy of Malaysia and relationship between the two countries.