Commonly recognized as the oldest cosmological text in Thai, the Traiphum Phra Ruang has traditionally enjoyed considerable prestige in Thailand. However, this is not only because of the text’s...Show moreCommonly recognized as the oldest cosmological text in Thai, the Traiphum Phra Ruang has traditionally enjoyed considerable prestige in Thailand. However, this is not only because of the text’s literary or historical relevance. As the text outlines the origin of kingship and the moral basis for Theravada Buddhist society through describing the workings of kamma, it has proven to be a valuable source of theoretical legitimacy for the Thai monarchy. This thesis examines how the text has been used for the restoration of king Bhumibol’s legitimacy after the student revolts in the 1970s. The following argues that this has been done through a tacit promotion of the text as the prime symbol of Thai cultural heritage and national identity, and the inculcation of the norms and values displayed within it by presenting the text as a tradition.Show less
