MeToo Bangkok? In Thai TV soap operas, rape and sex attacks are a troubling norm

Many of Thailand’s soap operas are based on patriarchal novels which have scenes of rape and sexual violence against women

But one outraged viewer’s petition has led to new guidelines and a gradual shift in how women are depicted on TV

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A scene from popular Thai soap opera Game Rai Game Ruk in which a female protagonist fights off a man’s advances. Photo: Screengrab

Published: 9:00am, 28 Jan 2020Updated: 1:34pm, 31 Jan 2020

In the popular Thai soap opera Game Rai Game Ruk, there is a scene of a man grabbing a woman and forcing himself on her while she screams and tries to hit him. The scene then cuts to a romantic setting in front of a lake, with the couple appearing to be hugging each other. But then it returns to the original setting and she stops fighting back, giving in to his advances.

The underlying message: a man overpowers a woman and she surrenders and falls in love with him. This has been a recurring theme in prime time Thai soap operas for decades, but is gradually changing thanks in part to a campaign by one outraged viewer.

After watching yet another such scene, architect Nitipan Wiprawit, 41, said “enough” and launched an online petition to end the normalisation of sexual violence in Thai soap operas. The petition soon garnered over 59,000 signatures, sparked a national debate and led to the publication in 2016 of the first ethical regulations for television channels regarding the media portrayal of gendered violence in soap operas.

A scene from Thai soap opera Game Rai Game Ruk in which a woman fights off a man’s advances. Photo: Screengrab

The guidelines clearly state what can be shown and what should be cautioned against, but are not designed to censor the portrayal of sexual aggression against women and are seen as a recommendation for producers, as well as a reminder of their constructive engagement in shaping Thai society.

Only a few months after the publication of the regulations, Thailand’s National Telecommunications and Broadcasting Commission (NBTC) took action against the producer of the popular television series Club Friday to be Continued for presenting violent scenes against women.

MeToo Bangkok? In Thai TV soap operas, rape and sex attacks are a troubling norm

Many of Thailand’s soap operas are based on patriarchal novels which have scenes of rape and sexual violence against women But one outraged viewer’s petition has led to new guidelines and a gradual shift in how women are depicted on TV

Many of Thailand’s soap operas are based on patriarchal novels which have scenes of rape and sexual violence against women

But one outraged viewer’s petition has led to new guidelines and a gradual shift in how women are depicted on TV