STEREOTYPICAL DEPICTION OF THAI WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD FILMS BY MISS SARANPHON POLTECHA A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LINGUISTICS FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY Ref. code: 25605406040245AFI STEREOTYPICAL DEPICTION OF THAI WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD FILMS BY MISS SARANPHON POLTECHA A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LINGUISTICS FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY Ref. code: 25605406040245AFI (1) Thesis Title STEREOTYPICAL DEPICTION OF THAI WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD FILMS Author Miss Saranphon Poltecha Degree Master of Arts Major Field/Faculty/University English Language Studies Faculty of Liberal Arts Thammasat University Thesis Advisor Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattamawan Jimarkon Zilli Academic Years 2017 ABSTRACT In this globalized era media play a significant role in our society. Western media, especially, reach a number of global audiences and exert a powerful force in creating and reinforcing public perception and stereotypes. This study analyzes one of the most prominent media — films and their stereotypical depiction of Thai women in Hollywood films. ‘Film’ is considered one of the most powerful media genres that influences perceptions leading to stereotypes. Hollywood, especially, is a media channel that reaches a number of audiences around the world and has the power of creating audience perception and reinforcing stereotypes. Thailand has been portrayed through western media with images of go-go bars, massage parlors and street prostitutes especially in Hollywood films, for example, the scene of Bangkok nightlife in The Hangover Part 2 (2011) and Only God Forgives (2013). Thai women are perpetually portrayed as prostitutes and the international media reinforce racial and ethnic stereotypes accordingly. Thailand has been known as a sex tourism destination because of its openly available sex services, resulting in generalization of all Thai women as part of the prostitution business. The study hopes to reveal the depiction of Thai women in the selected Hollywood films concerned with sexualized roles, i.e., prostitutes, bar girls, and go-go girls. The result shows that the stereotypes include LBFM (Little Brown Fucking Machine), Geisha, Pity Chicken, Lotus Blossom, 3rd World Lady, Baby Dragon, Flowing Lotus and Ladyboy. This study opens a dialogue about the long-standing stereotypical attitude towards women from the Far East, especially Thailand. Keywords: Film, Media, Sex tourism, Stereotype, Thai women, Hollywood films Ref. code: 25605406040245AFI (2) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattamawan Jimarkon Zilli for always being there to support me and ensure that my thesis progressed in the right direction. Her guidance and patience proved invaluable for the timely completion of my thesis. My appreciation also extends to my committee members, Dr. Pasakara Chueasuai and Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuchada Dumrongsiri for their interest in the project, and their constructive comments and recommendations to enrich the research content and result. My parents Jariya and Prakob Poltecha, my grandfather Sumrong and grandmother Naparat Detpetch were always supportive, providing high octane fuel for my engine to travel this long and arduous road. They understood the difficulties I faced and encouraged me to attain my goal. My grandfather is now in heaven; he has been my inspiration and motivation to complete this journey and make him proud. Furthermore, Dr. Thomas Hoy and my uncle Steve Schwegler assisted me throughout this adventure. Without their comments, suggestions and helpful proofreading my thesis would not have realized my high expectations. Also, my partner Sutham Jeerasilp always stood by me throughout the research process and writing; whether I was happy, sad or discouraged, he gave constant encouragement. My Levi’ s team provided strength and support. The boss, Tasawan Chotikowit understands the importance of a higher education qualification. A huge Thank You to everyone. Ms.Saranphon Poltecha Ref. code: 25605406040245AFI (3) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT (1) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (2) LIST OF TABLES (5) LIST OF FIGURES (6) CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Scope of study 2 1.2 Theoretical framework 2 1.3 Research question 3 1.4 Definition of terms 3 1.4.1 Globalization 3 1.4.2 Media influence 3 1.4.3 Films 3 1.4.4 Stereotype 4 1.4.5 Sex tourism 4 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5 2.1 Globalization 5 2.2 Films 6 2.3 Hollywood Films 6 2.4 Male Gaze 7 2.5 Stereotypes in Media 8 2.6 Orientalism 9 2.7 Asian women 9 2.8 The Portrayal of Asian Women in Hollywood Films 10 (Historical Timeline) 2.9 Types of Asian women portrayed in Hollywood films 12 2.9.1 Dragon Lady 12 2.9.2 Lotus Blossom 12 2.9.3 Geisha 13 2.9.4 Suzie Wong 13 2.10 Studies of portrayals of Thailand and Thai women in Hollywood 14 films and western perception towards Thailand and Thai women 2.11 Prostitution and sex tourism industry in Thailand 15 2.11.1 Gender Repression and Female Objectification 16 2.11.2 History of Prostitution in South East Asia countries 16 2.11.3 Prostitution in Thailand 20 Ref. code: 25605406040245AFI (4) 2.11.4 The association of Thailand and sex tourism during 23 Vietnam War 2.11.5 LBFM 23 2.11.6 Male-dominated society 24 2.12 Study of Western tourist perception towards Thailand 24 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 26 3.1 The criteria of choosing materials 26 3.1.1 Movies set in Thailand 26 3.1.2 Movies with characters played by Thai women, 26 or played as Thai women, who interact with protagonist or antagonist 3.1.3 Movies with characters played by Thai women, 26 or played as Thai women, who have a relationship with the protagonist or antagonist3.4 Methods of analysis 3.2 The selected Hollywood films that were used in this study 27 3.3 Method of analysis 27 CHAPTER 4 DATA PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION 29 4.1 Data Presentation 29 4.1.1 Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason 29 4.1.2 Bangkok Dangerous 46 4.1.3 The Hangover part 2 52 4.1.4 Only God Forgives 60 4.1.5 No Escape 68 4.2 Discussion 75 4.2.1 Data Discussion 75 4.2.2 The existence of the sex trade business in Thailand 80 4.2.2.1 Exotic shows in red light areas in Bangkok 80 4.2.2.2 Various types of sex worker 83 4.2.2.3 Ladyboy 83 4.2.2.4 Underage prostitution 84 4.2.2.5 Thailand sex trade industries and the government support 85 4.2.2.6 Thailand economy, poverty problem and 86 male dominant society reinforce the prosperity of sex trade business CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION 88 REFERENCES 90 BIOGRAPHY 100 Ref. code: 25605406040245AFI (5) LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 4.1 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 30 Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason: Massage parlor girl 4.2 Semiotic of Thai women characters in 34 Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason: Call girl 4.3 Semiotic of Thai women characters in 37 Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason: Woman in prison (1) Phrao 4.4 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 41 Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason: Woman in prison (2) 4.5 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 43 Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason: Woman in prison (3) 4.6 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 46 Bangkok Dangerous: Go-go girl (Aom) 4.7 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 48 Bangkok Dangerous: Pharmacist (Fon) 4.8 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 53 The Hangover part 2: Ladyboy (Kimmy) 4.9 Semiotics analysis of Thai women characters in 55 The Hangover part 2: Thai wife (Lauren) 4.10 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 61 Only God Forgives: Underage prostitute 4.11 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 62 Only God Forgives: Prostitute (Mai) 4.12 Semiotic analysis of Thai women characters in 72 No Escape: Prostitute 4.13 Types of Thai women from each selected Hollywood films 75 Ref. code: 25605406040245AFI (6) LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page 2.1 Suzie Wong comes to Lomax’s room 7 2.2 Chinese Prostitute in China Town, San Francisco 17 2.3 Comfort Girl during WWII (1) 18 2.4 Comfort Girl during WWII (2) 18 2.5 Comfort Girl during WWII (3) 19 2.6 The US sailors gather to comfort station to buy sex service from 19 comfort girls 4.1 Cleaver introduces a massage parlor in Bangkok, Thailand 32 4.2 Thai call-girl comes to service Cleaver in hotel room 37 4.3 Jones and Thai women rehearse Madonna’s song, ‘Like a Virgin’ 39 4.4 Phrao’s actions when she saw Jones’s bra 40 4.5 Jones with her “leaving presents” for inmates 41 4.6 Aom, Go-Go girl 50 4.7 Aom is beaten by mafioso 51 4.8 Thai ladyboy exposes his penis to Stu and his friends 57 4.9 Lauren expresses her love towards Stu 59 4.10 Lighting shades on the statue’s penis 61 4.11 Billy is looking at street hookers (1) 65 4.12 Billy is looking at street hookers (2) 65 4.13 Julian gazes at Mai while she is masturbating 66 4.14 Mai masturbates in front of Julian 67 4.15 Men gaze at Sayuri’s performance 68 4.16 Asian women are mentioned as good at pleasing men 70 4.17 Asian woman is portrayed as sex object 71 4.18 Asian prostitute in brothel 72 4.19 Hangover Tour program 82 Ref.