Thai films made in the 1970s as social commentary on migration-related social issues

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis are 1) to study the socially-engaged Thai films of the 1970s that realistically portrayed migration-related social issues, and 2) to examine how these films, functioning as a tool of social commentary, project Thai society of the period. Based on qualitative research, the thesis presents the socio-political and economic background of 1970s Thai society and discusses the issue of urban migration. In order to demonstrate what socially-oriented films are and how they project Thai society, the thesis, first of all, presents documentary-based research; second, it presents case studies of five socially-engaged Thai films of the 1970s by analyzing how they dealt with their subject matter and how they communicated their message to the audience. The five films in the study are Luk Isaan (Son of the Northeast, Wichit Kounavudhi, 1982), Theptida Rongraem (Angel of Hotel, M. C. Chatrichalerm Yugala, 1974), Tongpoon Kokpo Ratsadorn Temkhan (Taxi Driver/The CitizenI, M. C. Chatrichalerm Yugala, 1977), Prachachon Nok (On the Fringe of Society, Manop Udomdej, 1981) and Tongpan (Tongpan, Paijong Laisakul, Surachai Jantimathon, Yuthana Mukdasanit, 1977). Furthermore, interviews with the directors who had produced the selected films contribute further data on the social messages they tried to convey through their work and their perspectives on the Thai society of that period. The findings of this study indicate that, in the case of Thai films, the significant function of film as social commentary began to be implemented in the 1970s due to the changing socio-political atmosphere. A number of socially realistic films of the 1970s reflect the people and places marginalized by a combination of complex factors: an immature democracy, capital-centered development, rapid industrialization, materialistic ideas, and declining traditional values. These films significantly convey insightful portraits of that society through their content in their efforts to increase public awareness of the social and political issues of the 1970s. Through the analysis of these films, this study also contributes to a better understanding of Thai society and its culture