The Story of a Family Through Four Reigns

Overview

This theatrical production tells the story of a family living through the reigns of four kings, starting from the end of King Chulalongkorn's reign in 1910 to the death of King Ananda Mahidol in 1946. The main character, "Ploy," is a woman from an old noble family who lived within the palace walls and was close to the royal court. After the Siamese revolution of 1932, she marries "Prem" and leaves the palace. Ploy's traditional values are challenged, leading to political conflicts among her three sons. The government later enacts laws to westernize lifestyles. During the war, their home is bombed, forcing them to move back to their ancestral home. Ploy falls gravely ill upon learning of her son's death and eventually passes away with the end of King Rama VIII's reign. This novel is considered influential in creating a positive image of the monarchy.