Thai popstar/idol culture, is it all superficial dross?

[Procyon]

I have noticed that many major news events in Thailand are quickly brushed away in preference of lighter stuff that should appeal to kids and teens. An example being the major headlines this week on Thai TV channels and in print that are about some tart that has been knocked up by a pop star and now has a baby that he is denying fathering.

I mean who cares? This situation happens to thousands of real people all the time, why is this woman special? People are being killed out there everyday ... surely there is something more important to report on?

Maybe not, there does seem to be a huge pop-star/idol culture here ... the Panda is still making headlines also.

[PeteC]

Yeah, the wife was saying the same thing this morning after the 3rd or 4th morning of the Thai newspapers having it on the front page. I guess you can put it into perspective with the similar question as to why the Thai electricity grid nose dives each evening when the drama soaps and/or Academy Fantasia start. That's why nuclear power is needed here, to keep the TV's running on channels 3-5-7 in the evenings. Pete

[Spitfire]

Astute observation there Procyon, it is all 'superficial dross' as you put it. The TV is responsible for countrywide brainwashing through glitz/fawning over rich or beautiful people/tack/the importance of vanity/slapstick humour in bucket loads etc etc.

Notice also how all the males on TV are no more than a tiny jump to the 'left' of actually being women? Almost no difference between them.

You know how it is with 50-60% of the population, 18-45 year olds going on 9. There seems to be a big discrepancy between physical and mental ages here. The TV would make their little heads exploded if it hit them with something like official crime figures or needed educational changes, couldn't have that now, could we?

[sandman67]

I dunno - its pretty much the same in Korea and Japan from what I see of their media

you also would need to ask a Thai who watches Brit TV what they think of that and whether they would like to see Thai TV go that way

nd lets not poke sticks till Brit TV isnt made up of a staple diet of reality shows and hospital dramas...Xmas at home felt like a life sentence sometimes stuck in a 4 channel cell with that gurning prat David Tennant.

[Spitfire]

Perhaps there's some truth in that, maybe I should have mentioned SM67 that it is not limited to just LOS, Asian TV IMO in general is 'weak' to say the least, in these ways highlighted in this here thread.

British TV can also be garbage too, but the Beeb is still, and generally always has been, good due to the fact that it's subsidized by the tax payer, to the tune of billions so it can make some decent stuff. If it wasn't then it'd be garbage with so many ads everywhere that it would fall into the same section. It's funny when I mention to the Thais I meet that actually inquire about it that you need a TV license that costs 6000 baht or more a year in the UK to legally watch it, the confused looks I get.

As an epilogue, it could just be 'horses for courses' as I find the TV situation here and elsewhere in Asia lamentable and numbing drivel, almost embarrassing, but I am certainly in a minority here, so maybe it's me. However, many locals think it's the highlight of the day and aspire to the plastic existence portrayed and encouraged as if it is the zenith of existence. Just find that a little disturbing when I think about it.

[crazy88]

Have you guys not read an english newspaper lately? A football player jumping on a page 3 girl gets way more exposure than a soldier being killed in Iraq or a spate of burglaries. Amy Winehouses coke habit must have had an article in the sun 3 times a week last year. Big brother and reality TV shows. Rather watch the panda myself. Must agree on the slapstick humour not being of much appeal to me.

If you know enough Thai you will find that the sense of humour of most Thais and play on words that they use is very sharp and quick .I never fail to have a good night out with my Thai friends. Plenty of banter and laughter in both languages, even on subjects that are a little taboo. My Thai is fairly limited but someone in the group can usually translate if I am lost. Believe me they give as good as they get and more.

As for superficial dross. I agree but then look at British and american TV. It's all there too. Not just TV either. Look at the magazines. Do I really give a flying "Donald Duck" what Posh Spice wore to the Baftas? Let alone paying a fiver to read about it every week.

Crazy 88

[Spitfire]

Yeah, reasonable there 88 too, perhaps you could extend that diagnosis to a global audience too. Most free, blanketing TV is maybe guilty of this everywhere.

It's also a joke in the west too, plenty of garbage there to on the TV, but not quite as all encompassing or hopeless as here, maybe 'obvious' is the right word.

There is a lot of garbage TV in every country, suppose it's a pandemic really. Sad reflection on the general population of most countries and what amuses them. There is still some good TV to be found but has to be searched for.

Whether it's a global conspiracy or not is best left to the 'Current affairs' forum.

If your Thai is limited then how do you know whether they are just giving you a 'Cherry picked' download and not flannel of what was said on the night out? Hell, they are good at that, not like you'll get the nitty-gritty unless you can mix-it-up properly language wise, just be making educated guesses, huh?

Reminds me of Johan's post in the 'News' section replying to Buksida's post about the trees being felled.

Can't pick up on the nuances properly unless you're shit-hot, or a native speaker of course.

Assumption is the mother of all Fcuk ups, isn't it?

[crazy88]

Agree with you on global SF.

As for my Thai friends blowing smoke where the sun doesn't shine? My partner is Thai and fluent in English. Having worked around the tourist and hospitality industry for more than half my adult life most of the Thai friends I have made are also reasonably or completely fluent in English. If out with those that are not a bit of backwards and forwards translation is required and sometimes it just does not compute one way, both ways or another but it is always fun.





Crazy 88

[caller]

Speaking for myself being in the UK, I guess its do with what papers you read? For sure, in the broadsheets Rooney/Winehouse will get some coverage with their tribulations, as they are, or were (Winehouse), national figures, but not out of proportion with the reality of whats happening elsewhere. Sometimes when I dip into the tabloids online, I have no idea who most of the people are that are being featured - in the UK, we seem to have a split personality?

There is still some great TV made, but with so many channels now available, you have to seek it out. What was it Floyd said, "fifty channels of shit on my TV screen" or words to that effect!

My wife enjoyed watching some well thought of UK sci-fi series that left me cold, hence I can't recall the name and there were a good few other things she liked, but I cringed when she watched, 'Dog the Bounty Hunter!!!!

[PeteC]

You never really know though what the Thais know or what they talk about unless you're in the right places at the right time. Yesterday for example sitting with the wife at our regular little restaurant next to my daughters school, then joined by six other Mothers who all meet there each morning for a bite and chat.

Yes, they all started off with the headline movie star story, but then quickly went into Somkid turning own the police promotion to appease Saudi Arabia, and that PTT and apparently Tesco are now out as bidders for Carrefour. Pretty enlightened and knowledgeable conversation.

I guess you could say they are all middle class Thais, but at the same time the cook at the place piped up with her comments on all of it, so there's an example of a non-middle class person being well informed.

Perhaps we're not giving the rank and file Thai enough credit. Yes for sure we all saw bamboozled and brain washed Red Shirts during the demonstrations, but even though their numbers were large perhaps they're in the minority, and the majority do take the initiative to stay balanced and well informed about local issues?

International issues are another story. Even my group of MC Moms are not up to speed about what's going on outside of here. Pete

[johnnyk]

Check out what passes for news in the USA. Paris Hilton, GaGa chick, who said what, who put on weight etc.

[Procyon]

Yes I realize the TV and news in other countries is crap but this is a Thailand forum so I thought we could discuss that.

It seems to be an unbalanced obsession here, pop/soap stars or "darah" as they are called get more news coverage than the conflict in the South which is only second to the middle east for insurgent related killings.

The TV channels here are ALL soaps/teenypop culture/karaoke or government propaganda. There is no comedy, no documentaries, no educational programs, no movies. It seems as though this is intentional to keep the population dumbed down and under control.

You say they are informed but if the soap star with the baby is the first conversation and politics and economy is second and third it doesn't say much for them - their priorities are superficial dross.

[PeteC]

.....You say they are informed but if the soap star with the baby is the first conversation and politics and economy is second and third it doesn't say much for them - their priorities are superficial dross.

They're women! Pete

[Procyon]

True, but I have observed men glued to these soaps too. Not sure what the topic of their conversation is though!

[crazy88]

I got elastic bands keepin my shoes on.
Got those swollen hand blues.
I Got thirteen channels of shit on the T.V. to choose from.
I've got electric light.
And I got second sight.
Got amazing powers of observation.
And that is how I know
When I try to get through
On the HHAD forum to you
There'll be nobody home.



Crazy 88