Thailand
Outrage on Twitter as rape scenes continue to be portrayed in Thai soap operas

It’s a debate that’s been raging in Thailand for years now, and yet, little appears to have changed. The portrayal of rape in Thai soap operas, done in a manner which critics say normalises sexual assault and victim blaming, is once more under fire. Thai PBS World reports that yesterday, the hashtag #ข่มขืนผ่านจอพอกันที (#NoMoreRapeOnScreen) became the fastest trending hashtag on Twitter, featuring in 275,000 tweets. Another hashtag, #BanMiaJumPen, was used in over 204,000.
The social media backlash was a result of a rape scene in the popular soap, Mia Jum Pen (“Wife on Duty”). In the scene, the rapist filmed his assault of a female character. In another scene, the victim, who has been hospitalised, is asked how many times she was raped, but the scene that has provoked the most fury is one that shows a male character’s “disgust” with the rape victim, when he thinks his wife was raped.
Angry Twitter users accuse soap opera makers of reinforcing victim blaming and rape culture in Thailand, a country where women are often blamed for men sexually assaulting them.
Amanda Obdam, Miss Universe Thailand 2020, also took to Twitter to vent her fury:
Meanwhile, others slammed the statement made by the soap opera’s producer, in which she tried to justify the scene.
“I want to show that being kidnapped or being abused is scary, therefore, women should learn how to be more careful and aware.”
Her words only served to fuel the Twitter fire, with netizens accusing her of victim blaming, instead of men being shown that they need to respect women. Some of the comments are below.
“It’s bad enough that Thai TV dramas are still full of rape scenes, the heroine falling in love with the hero after he raped her, “bad women” punished by rape.”
“The media is a significant contributor to the rape culture in Thailand. We’ve seen many Thai soap operas creating scenes where the male lead rapes the female lead. Although people have been calling for an end to such narratives, they are still everywhere, and those scenes imply that rape is somehow acceptable, because in the end, the male lead, who raped the female lead, will live happily ever after with her without being punished.”
Thai soap operas have long used rape scenes in their storylines, usually involving the lead male and female characters, with the female subsequently falling in love with her assailant. Critics say such depictions condone rape, which continues to be a serious issue in Thai society.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
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Thailand
Thailand News Today | Vaccines have arrived, roll out from Monday | Feb 24

In today’s Thailand News Today, the government is at least now talking about lifting the mandatory quarantine, the first Covid vaccines will start in Thailand next Monday, and protesters change gears and go after alleged corruption in the Thai police force. We’ve also got a special report about the latest in the Thai Airways saga, all on our YouTube Channel. Let’s get started….
The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha says the government would now consider waiving the mandatory 14 day quarantine for tourists with proof of a Covid-19 vaccination. For months now, the government has stuck to its stance that vaccinated foreign arrivals would still need to be quarantined, given that it’s too early to say if vaccines prevent transmission. But with industry leaders warning that the economy is on the brink of collapse, the only hope appears to be reviving the tourism sector, a major economic contributor prior to Covid-19.
Even the Thai central bank says the uncertainty facing the tourism sector is a major threat to medium term economic growth. The bank Governor says it would be very difficult for the economy to recover to pre-pandemic levels without the return of international tourism.
Tourism officials have been pushing for Thailand to introduce a vaccine passport policy that would allow tourists to return from countries where mass vaccination programs are now underway.
Meanwhile, Thailand took delivery of its first doses of Covid-19 vaccine today, with the arrival of doses of the Chinese Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. A Thai Airways International plane carrying the vaccine from Beijing landed at the airport at 10.05 this morning.
The shipment included 2 million doses, valued around 1.2 billion baht, the government ordered from Sinovac Life Sciences of China. Those 200,000 doses will be stored and checked in a warehouse until Friday.
The national inoculation program is expected to get underway next week, with frontline medical workers and other vulnerable groups first in the queue.
The AstraZeneca vaccine will also be manufactured locally by Siam Bioscience, with production expected to begin in June. The government says vaccines from other manufacturers may also be registered for use in the Kingdom, with private hospitals allowed to administer them. The PM says a number of other manufacturers have expressed interest in having their vaccines approved for use in the Kingdom.
He said… “Many companies have shown interest to register but their documents are not completed yet. It is good that we will have more vaccines than the 65 million doses planned by the government now.”
The CCSA says 4 of Thailand’s major tourism destinations are to be prioritised in the distribution of vaccines. They are Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Surat Thani. In addition, a further 9 provinces with significant infection numbers are being prioritised in the rollout of the first vaccine doses.
70,000 doses will go to the hard-hit “highest control” area of Samut Sakhon, where Thailand’s second outbreak cluster was first detected on December 20 last year. 8,000 doses are being set aside for medical officials in the central province, along with 6,000 for frontline healthcare workers, 46,000 doses for seriously ill patients, and 10,000 doses for migrant workers and local residents.
Another 105,000 doses will be distributed to similar groups in Bangkok, in the central provinces of Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkram and Samut Prakan, and in the western province of Ratchaburi and the Mae Sot district of Tak.
14,700 doses will be sent to 4 major tourist destinations, with 4,700 going to the eastern province of Chon Buri, 4,000 to Phuket, 3,500 to the northern province of Chiang Mai, and 2,500 going to the island of Samui in the Surat Thani province.
The pro-democracy group, Ratsadon, held a rally in Bangkok late yesterday, this time with their sights set on Thailand’s police force and the alleged corrupt practices involved in the promotion system. The system, where officers have to pay bribes to senior figures, allegedly including senior politicians, was highlighted in a debate in parliament last week.
Activists met at the Ratchaprasong intersection in the capital around 5pm and stayed there for an hour. But many of the speakers were new faces, with some of the more prominent leaders notably absent, currently languishing in police custody. Those who addressed the crowd called on “honest” police officers to join them in the fight for justice, as they slammed the widespread nepotism and corruption that is allegedly rife in the Thai police force.
Protesters then marched to the nearby headquarters of the Royal Thai Police and sat on the street outside while speeches continued. At one point, an activist read out a letter which the group says was written by a police officer and addressed to his colleagues. In it, the officer calls on his colleagues to decide if they are serving the people or those in power, and asks them if they think they’ve been fairly treated by their bosses or used for political purposes.
Thai Vietjet has announced the flight resumption of its domestic cross-regional service between Phuket and Chiang Rai, in response to the increasing travel demand after the government began relaxing travel measures around the country. The airline will resume the service for four round-trip flights a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, starting from this Friday.
The airline also announced the resumption of other domestic cross-regional services including the flight between Hat Yai – Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai – Nakhon Si Thammarat from 19 March 2021 onwards.
The airline has launched a special promotion called “Welcome Back to the Sky”, offering special fares from just 99 (not including taxes, fees, surcharges, and add-ons) for Thai Vietjet’s flights between Phuket – Chiang Rai and any flights to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Other domestic carriers are also starting to ramp up the resumption of flights. This weekend, being a long weekend, has seen increased bookings for the sector.
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Phuket
Phuket police officer charged with attempted murder for shooting and critically injuring a noodle vendor

The drunk, off-duty police officer in Phuket who has caught on camera shooting and beating a noodle vendor on Bangla Road is now facing attempted murder charges as well as charges of carrying a firearm in public without a necessary reason and firing a weapon in a public area. The commander of the Phuket police station said he ordered investigators to prosecute the officer Pornthep Channarong with every criminal charge that can be applied.
The officer had gotten into an altercation just before dawn yesterday and shot a young vendor who was walking by. Surveillance camera footage show the 25 year old suddenly falling to the ground after being shot. The officer walks up and shoots the vendor at a close range, but it appears the second shot did not hit the vendor. The officer also slapped the vendor in the face, picked him up and shoved him over, and then kicked him as he lay on the ground.
The vendor has a 4 year old daughter and 3 month old son. His wife says normally he works as a motorbike driver, but he was helping his mother selling noodles. He was shot while he was walking back from collecting a noodle bowl, she says. The vendor is in critical condition and being cared for at Vachira Phuket Hospital’s intensive care unit. He’s in need of Type B blood.
“For his condition, the doctor told me that the bullet went through his lung. He lost a lot of blood. We need a lot of Type B blood for him.”
A disciplinary investigation into the incident was launched by police and Pornthep was officially dismissed from the Royal Thai Police force. Region 8 Police Commander Kitrat Panpetch says the incident does not reflect the police force in Phuket.
“The incident was caused by an officer who did something wrong that our organisation does not want. We are a big organisation with more than 200,000 officers under our control. Our officers are not all bad like this.”
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pornsak Nuannu says he has reminded the police chiefs across the island to discuss reasons for carrying firearms in public.
“Carrying firearms is to prevent any type of crime that may happen, not to commit a crime by themselves like this incident. If I see any police doing such a thing, I will decisively proceed in terms of both officer discipline and criminal charges.”
SOURCE: Phuket News
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is also set to arrive in Thailand today

While news has been focused on today’s arrival of China’s Sinovac vaccine, it’s now being reported that 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will also arrive in Thailand today. The vaccines will be distributed to 13 provinces, including 9 that are considered the “highest risk” of Covid-19 infection as well as 4 popular tourist destinations that are of “economic significance” such as Phuket and Chiang Mai.
The delivery of the Sinovac vaccine was widely publicised in Thailand. The public health minister posted photos of the packages throughout the delivery process. The government even held a special event called “Covid vaccines, restoring the Thai smile” where they formally accepted the first delivery of Covid-19 vaccines in Thailand. The Bangkok Post says officials did not specify how many Sinovac doses were shipped, but in earlier reports, the government said they planned for 200,000 doses in the first round.
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will be injected with the AstraZeneca vaccine rather than the Sinovac vaccine due to his age. A doctor recently warned that the Sinovac vaccine’s efficacy and safety has not been tested in those over 60. Prayut says the 200,000 doses from Sinovac will be given to priority groups within the next 3 days. In previous reports, people over 60 years old in high risk areas were included in the first phase of injections.
Prayut will be the first in the country to get injected with the Covid-19 vaccine, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
“It’s important that Gen Prayut takes the first Covid-19 vaccine shot because he is the country’s leader. There will naturally be a risk assessment process by the Department of Disease Control, which is an internationally accepted standard procedure.”
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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David
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 11:38 am
The handcuffs and cigarettes are blured yet we can watch this?! No thanks; turn the TV off.
Issan John
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 1:15 pm
You’re right, David, it’s crazy – blur out the cigarettes, drinks, guns and knives but rape’s fine 😮
The problem is that the kids won’t “turn the TV off”, or if someone does they’ll watch it on their mobiles later. It’s the biggest “influencer” in their lives and no-one wants to risk changing that and losing the revenue from the ads.
Dreamon
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 3:41 pm
TV biggest influencer??? For kids lol you make me laugh out loud.
You are the voice from another century, just update your OS.
And go back to your Nazi cave.
Issan John
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 6:40 pm
Maybe once you get into this century you could learn to read, Dreamon.
No, “TV” isn’t the biggest influencer for Thai kids, but the soaps are, regardless of the medium. I thought that was pretty clear, but … oh well, mea culpa.
Brian
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 11:49 am
Eh, what’s the main demographic watching that stuff? I can practically guarantee it’s not men. If women want to destroy that kind of programming, it’s easy: stop watching it. Men aren’t particularly interested in “rape culture” because the vast majority of them have nothing whatsoever to do with it. The women watching that kind of show have much more to do with some rape culture than the average man. Take care of it yourself.
Jesus Monroe
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 1:06 pm
Once again Instead of asking the women to change their behaviour maybe the males I’m guessing who write and produce this crap should change…….
EdwardV
Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 2:46 am
Just as a point of reference, the article makes it clear the producer of the show in question is female.
Issan John
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 1:09 pm
What’s your “guarantee” based on, Brian?
You honestly think that Thai “men” don’t watch the soaps? Seriously?
Or kids and teenagers?
Only “women”?
Go into pretty much any mainstream Thai house across the country, any evening, and I can “practically guarantee” that if the TV’s on it’ll be on the soaps and it won’t just be “women” watching.
Social media’s got it right – that’s what kids grow up watching every day, so it’s what they see not just as normal and acceptable but something to aspire to.
The kids and teenagers are glued to it – and if they can’t get it “live” in the evening they’ll catch up on their mobiles during the day.
Dreamon
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 3:40 pm
You are the voice from another century, just update your OS.
Issan John
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 6:42 pm
So … Thai kids don’t watch the soaps … I see …
Dreamon
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 4:31 pm
Oh, you also know nothing about screenwriting and production, so shut that f.up for once.
Issan John
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Ummm ….. maybe your OS has confused you, as I’ve never suggested I know anything “about screenwriting and production”.
I’m sure you’re an expert, though 😮
preesy chepuce
Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 12:41 am
Please can you stop polluting this site with your dreary drivel.
Ynwaps
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 2:25 pm
Brian is right. Real men watch their soaps on pornhub
Craig
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 1:09 pm
That’s how it is in SE Asia. One can turn the TV off and go to the bar to escape it…but then see plenty of women there making an income.
Konstantin
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 1:22 pm
Not only these scenes must be banned! In general, they demonstrate various behavioral scenarios, which are quite destructive, but they represent them as normal…That’s how they teach onlookers without stable critical thinking to obtain destructive behavioral inclinations, and that’s what leads to their degradation! Thus, they act and literally act against their own nation!
If so, then those so called actors and directors are cheap puppets, who being void of intelligence, become tools of villain influence in exchange for money and fame…cheap fame. TV AND MEDIA ARE RUBBISH, IN GENERAL.
Gosport
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Show your fingers in the producer venue. Thai is very easy thing to do.
Leon
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 2:05 pm
Women should learn to be careful? Why? Are men too dumb to control themselves? It shouldn’t be that hard to know that raping people is bad. Men are really pathetic. Always espousing women are “hormonal” and can’t control their emotions. Looks like projection to me.
preesy chepuce
Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 12:43 am
There were statistics a few years ago that showed that 26% of men in ASEAN had no issue with rape.
The question is, what is defined as rape. Choosing to get drunk, then regretting your decisions later, tends to muddy the waters.
Issan John
Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 1:38 am
Generally speaking, p c, sexual penetration without consent.
Sorry if that’s a bit “dreary” for you.
Ynwaps
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 2:21 pm
Don’t watch it then. You don’t have free will or what?
Had a good laugh reading this
Issan John
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 6:46 pm
The problem, Ynwaps, is that Thai kids do watch it, despite what Dreamon says. They lap them up.
preesy chepuce
Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 12:44 am
there’s no such thing as free will, everyone is subject to drives they are not aware of – particularly Issan John.
J West
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Thai soaps stereotype local culture. They are snippets and titillating fractured insight into extremes and the rare periphery. But… you know the old saying “ where there’s smoke, there’s fire”.
My experiences in Thai culture leave me convinced that at no level of society is the demeaning and brutalization of women acceptable. Shame on the directors and producers of this smut. What the offering(s) show us is their utter and complete lack of talent.
Arun
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 2:47 pm
Twitter should be seen as what it is, a destructive trojan horse that try to poison the mind of your children and ruin your culture. No one need lessons from an angry mob that follow foreign agenda.
Twitter = cancer culture
Craig
Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10:27 am
I kind of agree. It really depends on the person. The TV, iPhone, iPad, reading these “comments”, etc. all can be good or bad. It just depends if on how one looks at it. And that depends the person.
Jim kelly
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 9:49 pm
Thailand television is quite frankly… “a total crock of shyte!” what’s more worrying is the Thai people thinking these ‘c’ class actors and actresses are ‘superstars!!” THEY’RE NOBODYS…THE LOT OF THEM! COMPLETE “FOREHEAD TROMBONES”!
Craig
Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10:57 am
I’d say it’s a lot more than just TV. 5555
Simon wong
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 10:25 pm
They should stop all the rapes scenes, close all the bars and massage parlours, and stop cheating all the farangs and showing off in the social media….
harry1
Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 12:42 pm
if it common practice to show rape scene on tv,then it should be banned,but what l dont understand,you watch a old cowboy film,they blurr out the guns,yet in thai soaps they running around firing off guns, that are not blurred out ? when ex pm yingluck was in power,she should had promoted tolerance towards woman ?