Communicating the Image of Lesbian Characters in Thai Television Dramas and Series

Abstract

This research aims to 1) examine how lesbian characters have been represented across different media eras; and 2) analyze the portrayals of these characters within their social, political, and cultural contexts. The study is grounded in image theory, queer theory, and concepts from television drama and series studies. To guide the research direction and ensure systematic interpretation, this study employed qualitative research methods using content analysis. The sample consists of Thai television dramas and series representing 4 distinct eras: 1) the Prosperity Era, represented by Khue Hattha Khrong Phiphob (1995); 2) the Globalization Era, represented by Jab Tai Wai Rai Sai Samorn (1998); 3) the New Media Era, represented by Hormones: The Series Season 3 (2015); and 4) the Streaming Media Era, represented by The Secret of Us (2024). The findings reveal that lesbian characters in the sample were portrayed in diverse and complex ways, consistent with queer theory's assertion that identity is not fixed or singular, but rather shaped through dynamic experiences, social class, and ongoing self-definition within evolving social, political, and cultural contexts. These representations reflect Thai society's gradual transition from denial to conditional acceptance over time and across media eras. Key factors influencing this transformation include shifts in Thai social attitudes, increased acceptance of foreign cultures, the influence of digital media, and broader social movements advocating for rights, freedom, and equality. Consequently, representations of lesbian characters have become increasingly relevant to contemporary social, political, and cultural contexts. Lesbian characters have evolved from mere plot devices to meaningful representations of contemporary society's growing awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of lesbian identities, embodying concrete manifestations of lesbian visibility and participation in modern Thai society.