Indian Myth, Korean Wave, and ‘Thainess’: Politics of Hybridity in Thai Literature in the 21st Century

Boonhok, Saranpat

Abstract

‘Thainess’ [khwam-pen-Thai] or Thai identity has long been a state-constructed ideology linked to nationalist sentiment. However, in the 21st century, internal politics and globalisation have come to challenge its monopoly. Against this backdrop, reinventing classical literature and folklore has emerged as a way to reimagine and rethink ‘Thainess’ in Thai literature. This holds particular relevance since transnational cultures, ranging from classical Indian mythology to the contemporary Korean wave, continue to be hybridised and reconstructed. This paper examines the hybridity of Thainess in contemporary Thai literature, focusing on two different genres: fantasy and fanfiction. Firstly, I explore the fantasy novel series ‘Nawa Himmaphan’ [New Himmaphan] (2013–2018), depicting an apocalypse and creating a new world inspired by the Indian mythical forest named Himavanta. The novel adapts and reinterprets the roles and meanings of Deva (the god) and Asura (the demon) in an upside-down future. Secondly, I examine an adaptation of the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Indian Ramayana, published on the internet and transformed into Boys Love (BL) fanfiction referencing Korean idols called ‘Huachai Thotsakan KAIHUN’ [The Heart of Thotsakan KAIHUN] (2016–2017). It reconstructs the Ramakien, challenging its traditional meaning while asserting the aesthetics of K-pop fans. Through the lens of the hybridity framework, this paper argues that these texts not only illustrate cross-regional cultural hybridisation but also challenge the top-down construction of Thainess. Hybridity creates a ‘liminal space’ for Thainess, establishing a new power structure that highlights the significance of marginalised voices against the backdrop of political polarisation and the influence of transnational flows.

Citation

Boonhok, S. (online). Indian Myth, Korean Wave, and ‘Thainess’: Politics of Hybridity in Thai Literature in the 21st Century. TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1017/trn.2024.3

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 2, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 30, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 24, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 24, 2024
• Journal: TRaNS: Trans -Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia
• Print ISSN: 2051-364X
• Electronic ISSN: 2051-3658
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-18
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/trn.2024.3
• Keywords: Thainess; Thai Literature; Korean Wave; Indian Myth; Hybridity; Boys Love
• Publisher URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/trans-trans-regional-and-national-studies-of-southeast-asia/article/indian-myth-korean-wave-and-thainess-politics-of-hybridity-in-thai-literature-in-the-21st-century/3419B361E598EDEDDCBB2D0D4A5C2E38