นัยของรักร่วมเพศ : ความหมายกับความคิดในกระแสวัฒนธรรมไทย

Abstract

Abstract in Thai unavailable

Implications of Homosexuality: Definition and Thought in Thai Culture

This study examines the implicit meaning of homosexuality in Thai society and trends of thought in literary texts, chronicles, Buddhism, virtual community, and medical discourses. The present study is also concerned with perception, origin and influences of homosexuality. Societal reaction to homosexuality in Thailand appears to be consistent with Michel FoucaultBs Cdisciplinary power and resistance.B The emergence of this reaction dated back to early Rattanakosin era, in which Buddhism and patriarchal ideology had stigmatized any form of sexual deviance as a transgression. Disapprovement of such behaviour was perceptible in state laws and literary works by King Rama III and the noble man, Sunthon Phu, including satirical poems against lesbianism. In a male-dominated society, lesbians received harsher reaction and punishment than gays. After World War II, western medical science caused homosexuality in Thailand to be regarded as a sign of mental illness. This evidence was revealed in 25 novels written during 1970-2000, when patriarchal system lost its power and was challenged by a number of female writers who displayed gays' vulnerability and alienation in their works. In Thailand, gays are held responsible for a cause of AIDS, and looked upon as an epitome of social immorality and menace, just like the disease itself. An attempt to raise public awareness and acceptance of the homosexual as human beings leads to an establishment of force field in virtual community, ritualistic shows, novels, even personal accounts. Nevertheless, as long as the hegemonic discourse of modern medical science and sexual essentialism is still in power, homosexuality in Thai society will have limited attention and continue to strive in its marginalized space.