Thailand in Movies & TV vs. Thailand in Real Life [S5.E33]

On today's show Greg and Ed address a pretty simple
question: When you see Bangkok in movies and in series, are you
actually seeing an accurate portrayal of the way Bangkok REALLY
is? The guys decide that the short answer is probably not
(certainly not in Thai lakorn), but there are some interesting
exceptions. For example, even big-budget movies such as "Hangover
2" and "Raya and the Last Dragon" get many details right, such as
Fanta served in a plastic bag or 'toilet paper' (to Westerners)
used as napkins on the dinner table. 


Also, some shows (especially Western ones) get some facts
correct but over-emphasize them. Yes, Thailand does have
elephants, prostitutes, and transexuals - but not EVERY story
needs to include them. 


Greg then raises the elephant (heh heh, get it? we're in
Thailand) in the room: foreign productions in Thailand are
censored before they are made, and Thai productions are censored
after they are made. So, in general, no direct showing of
corruption among the monkhood, police or army, government
officials, and certainly no mention of the monarchy. Because of
these strict guard rails, it's almost impossible to accurately
portray Thai society from within the country.


Ed then laments the lack of a 'realist' cinema in Thailand,
akin to the gritty dramas of the Hollywood of the 70s. Where are
the Godfathers, Serpicos, and Taxi Drivers of Thai cinema? No one
knows the answer to that question but both guys bring up various
Thai movies and series that have flirted with realism in one way
or another, including 'The Serpent,' 'Hormones,' 'Changeland,'
'Girl From Nowhere,' and, recently, 'Bangkok Breaking.' Hope
springs eternal. Maybe. We guess. We hope. 


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