Thai Television Soap Opera - The Negative Influence of Lakorn

The Negative Influence of Lakorn

Because Lakorn present a melodramatic storyline featuring simple one-dimensional characterizations to capture the broadest viewership and commercial sponsorship, they generally do not foster critical insight, reasoning or problem-solving skills, nor a multi-perspective consideration of the human drama being viewed. They are simply an attempt to create dramatic tension and a "showdown" between the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s). Several Lakorn adhere to this simple format which, over an extended period, may cause some viewers to develop a skewed view of reality. At least one critic contends that the recent political problems in Thailand may be at least partially attributable to the negative influence of Lakorn, surmising that it is the disregard of common sense and common human wisdom that causes people to shy away from thinking critically, and as a result, becoming prone to manipulation.

In year 2008, Thai Airways flight attendants urged the government to remove a prime-time TV drama ("Songkhram Nang Fah") because it showed stewardesses wearing short skirts fighting while in uniform over a male pilot. They complained the soap opera portrayed hostesses in a negative light.

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