Wanthong (2021): The Adaptation of Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen in Adaptation Industry

Abstract

                  This article aims at examining the adaptation of Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen into Wanthong (2021) television series. The study shows that there are various aspects of the adaptation. Firstly, the television series’ plot is adapted in order to present the new theme, “Wanthong is not a double - minded woman.” Secondly, there are the addition, the reduction, and the change of some events’details in Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen. Thirdly, there are the addition and the reduction of some characters and also the change of some characters’ personalities. Fourthly, there are the uses of intertextuality from Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen, its other adapted versions mainly focusing on Wanthong, and also some social and cultural aspects in Thai contemporary society. Lastly, there are the uses of paratext for criticizing the television series. Those are as follow: teasers for elaborating some parts in Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen; special teasers, posters, and sets of poster description for promoting the series; series soundtracks for portraying main characters in brighter light and for connecting to the audiences’emotion; and also, the audiences’criticism  influenced by the Thai contemporary context in relation to any adaptation mentioned above. Suffice to say that all of these factors shed brighter light on the adaption process of Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen into Wanthong (2021) television series in the age of Thai digital television and adaptation industry.