The Representation Of Muslim Villains in Thai Cinema THE REPRESENTATION OF MUSLIM VILLAINS IN THAI CINEMA

Abstract

This qualitative research titled “Representation of Muslim Villains in Thai Films” investigates the narrative strategies employed in Thai cinema to portray Muslim characters as villains. It also explores whether Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism—which reflects the Western ideological construction of the East as inferior—has influenced Thai filmmakers to adopt a similar perception toward Muslim Thais. The study uses textual analysis as its primary method, focusing on three Thai films produced between 2015 and 2024 : Khun Phan (2015), The Djinn’s Cursed (2023), and The Cursed Land (2024).

Findings reveal that the narrative construction of Muslim villains often emphasizes their differences from the protagonists through elements such as costumes, names, and associations with black magic. Additionally, the Muslim antagonists are typically portrayed as individuals burdened by traumatic pasts, which foster hatred and ultimately lead them into villainous roles. However, the study found that Orientalism thought does not overtly influence the representation of Muslim characters in Thai films. Unlike many Western films that reproduce negative stereotypes of Muslims, some Thai films offer Muslim characters roles as helpers or problem-solvers, challenging the binary of good versus evil. This suggests that Thai cinema may adopt a more flexible narrative approach compared to the rigid stereotyping often found in Western media portrayals of Muslims.