A scene of degrading sexual violence against a woman televised during prime time has provoked anger and calls for action today.
People are campaigning for regulators to investigate Channel 3 series Mia Jampen (“Wife on Duty”) after two episodes depicted its female protagonist held in chains as a man attempts to rape her, a longtime trope of Thai lakorn character development that’s fallen out of favor. Others are targeting its advertisers, which include international brands such as Coca-Cola.
“Are we really still doing this? Are we really stuck in this backward mentality that this is good entertainment?” @ChessyBorder wrote. “Has the countless news about this sort of thing happening in real life not inspired some change now? Do better! It’s goddamn 2021.”
https://twitter.com/oilolz/status/1358733457917026305
The airing of mass media rape-tainment, coming after a period which saw it fade somewhat due to public outcry, has turned viewers against the broadcaster as well as production house D One TV Series. #EnoughWithRapeOnScreen and #BanWifeonDuty were two of the top trending Thai Twitter hashtags today as people asked for the authorities to take action.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, which polices the airwaves, had not publicly addressed the issue as of Tuesday afternoon, and calls to its offices went unanswered.
Sexual violence against women has long been a norm of Thai soap operas and mainstream entertainment, where it has often served as a plot device. In story after story, the act of violence serves to teach the woman a life lesson and ultimately kindles romance between the woman and her troubled, wayward attacker. Meanwhile, a poor grasp of the concept of consent is blamed for contributing to the high rates of very real sexual violence.
“Using the media to continue sending damaging messages to society is just like how those in power continue trying to keep this society at a standstill. But the younger gen is done with this BS. Get with the times,” @Ayoseankingston wrote.
Miss Universe Thailand also weighed in.
“I’ve been seeing this on tv from a very young age. This is NOT okay,” wrote Amanda Obdam on her Twitter. “WE NEED TO STOP NORMALIZING RAPE.”
Those looking to pressure the companies’ bottom lines shared an infographic display the brands who sponsor the show.
https://twitter.com/NoSalimList/status/1358800568005914626
It included products such as Tasto crisps, Coca-Cola and Namthip drinking water.
In 2016, mega media conglomerate GMM Grammy was fined THB50,000 for depicting rape and violence against a female character on its Puen Rak Puen Rai series after viewers complained about scenes showing a woman raped before amused onlookers, and another in which a woman’s face was burned with a searing motorcycle exhaust pipe.
At the time, former broadcast commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said the punishment was meant to “set a precedent” for other broadcasters to heed.
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