Article: Top 10 Thai Movies Based On Social Problems And Taboos

Movies are often said to be the mirror of society. Some movies are for entertainment purposes, and some provide a social message. Movies have the power to influence the audience, and there should be more movies talking about social problems and taboos. People like to hush everything taboo, whether it is related to sex, mental illness, or topics we should talk about openly and are not allowed to say out loud. Here are the top 10 Thai movies talking about social problems and taboos in society :

1. Sia Dai (1994)

Sia dai is a 1994 Thai movie directed by Chatrichalerm yakol, also known as Daughters. This movie talks about the life of teenagers who have become drug addicts. It follows the lives of four young girls who started doing drugs to escape reality. All the girls come from troubled families, and the lack of love and care from their parents towards them pushed them into this dark world. The movie is shot in documentary style to keep the feel of it real and gives a message to families raising kids to take care of them and their emotional needs.

 

2. Sia Dai 2 (1996)

Sia Dai 2 came out in 1996, directed by Chatrichalerm yakol also made sia dai 1. In this movie, they took another taboo subject to talk about AIDS. In this movie, a 13-year-old girl got the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion, and everybody started avoiding her. This movie raises awareness about AIDS and the acceptance of the people suffering from this.

3. The Last Song (1985)

The last song is a 1985 film based on the life of a transwoman who performs at a Cabaret. This film broke the conventional norms as it was the first film in Thailand to share an LGBTQ+ story and cast a trans person. It is a story about a transwoman, Somying Dawrai, who falls in love with a male singer but gets heartbroken as he breaks up with her for her sister. The film sheds light on the struggles of a transperson in Thai society.

4. Chocolate (2008)

Chocolate is a 2008 martial art film directed by Prachya pinkaew. The movie follows the story of an autistic girl Zen who was interested in martial arts from a very young age. Her mother Zin becomes ill, and she needs money for her treatment. She decides to collect the debt from all the debtors, and her martial arts skill helps her in fighting goons. The movie shows that no person is less than anyone.

5. Hotel Angel (1974)

Hotel angel is another Chatrichalerm yakol-directed film that came out in 1974. The movie talks about prostitution and how innocent girls fall into this trap without their will. It is a story of a farm girl Malee who runs away with her boyfriend but ends up getting caught in the web of prostitution. The plot's development is interesting.

6. Homestay (2018)

Homestay is a 2018 film based on a Japanese novel colorful by Eto Mori. A spirit who got a second chance to live in the body of a teenage boy Min, who committed suicide. The catch in this situation is that he has to find the real reason why Min has ended his life.

7. Final Score (2007)

Final score is a documentary movie that came out in 2007. The film follows the life of 6 high school students preparing for their entrance exams. The film gets up close and personal to show the ordeal students face. The cutthroat competition, the pressure students feel during this preparation period as their future depends on it.

8. Yes Or No (2010)

Yes or no is a 2010 romance drama film directed by Sarasawadee. It was the first lesbian movie to have a tomboy character. It is a story about Pie and Kim, both of them are polls apart as they come from different economic backgrounds and different sets of values. This movie is about acceptance, confusion, and love.

9. The Iron Ladies (2000)

The iron ladies is a 2000 movie based on real-life events. This movie is about a male volleyball team that consists of gays, trans women, and cross-dressers. This movie shows their journey of winning the National Championship in 1996. They faced many problems because of their sexuality and gender orientations. Even the authorities tried to throw them out of the Championship because they were part of the LGBTQ+ community. This movie is about dedication and fighting against all odds.

10. Beautiful Boxer (2003)

Beautiful boxer is a 2003 film based on the life of a trans woman, Parinya Charoenphol. Parinya, since her childhood, knew that she was a woman trapped inside a man's body. She got into the sports of Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) to make money for her sex change surgery. She is the world's first trans Muay Thai player, and it was not easy to get into this sport as it is considered a symbol of masculinity in Thailand. This film beautifully shows the feelings of Parinya and the struggles she faced with her transition surgery.