Male Ghosts and The Weakness of Masculinity in Patriarchal Thailand, Case studies on The Hotel (2002), The Letters of Death (2006) and Phii Mai Jim Fun [or Vow of Death] (2007)

Abstract

This article aims to study the representations of male ghosts in three main films, Anukul Jarotok’s The Hotel (2002), Kapon Thongphlap’s The Letters of Death (2006) and Piyapan Choopetch’s Phii Mai Jim Fun [or Vow of Death] (2007). This study analyzed: Through Hall’s Representation and Thai masculinity lens, it was found that the important form of Thai masculinity is the gentlemanliness [Suphapburut]. They present the infirmity of masculinity in patriarchal Thai society. This condition contributed masculine identity to be progression and modernity. However, it revealed the fragility of Thai masculinity and the paradox of these identities. They were attached with the gentle identities. Thus, they were uncomfortable and haunted. Becoming the ghost that showed the anguish of Thai masculinity because they cannot move on from the problems which involved their masculine identities. Furthermore, some male ghosts denoted the powerlessness of male characters. They were bullied; therefore, they choose ghostly power to empower and seek revenge. Ghostliness thus disclosed the weakness of masculinity in patriarchal Thai society.