Studying Speech Acts in the Royal Addresses of King Rama IX

Abstract

     This study aims to study the speech acts in the royal addresses of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) to gain a better understanding on the role of the monarch’s oratory in building national identity, unity, and pushing the development discourse. The study utilizes speech acts theoretical frameworks. The study categorized the types of royal addresses into five groups, namely: 1) Assertive Speech Acts; 2) Directive Speech Acts; 3) Expressive Speech Acts; 4) Commissive Speech Acts; and 5) Declarative Speech Acts, all of which reflect the monarchy’s multiple communicative roles in responding to historical contexts and national crises, such as economic crises, political unrest, and environmental problems. The results of the study reflect the monarch’s oratorical techniques, such as using inclusive language, using personal anecdotes, and appealing to ethics, all of which were significant in promoting the public spirit and the Thai collective identity. Furthermore, the content can be sorted into categories, such as development, cooperation, education, environmental conservation, and gratitude. The speeches also demonstrate a tactical communications structure, not only in terms of ceremonial functions, but also the function of the monarchy as the national moral compass and spiritual center, especially in the context of the changes and modernization of Thai society.